Chillicothe clicks to make a difference
- Details
- Category: Local
- Published on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 19:59
- Written by Courtney Bickerman
The Reader’s Digest We Hear You Campaign is in full swing.
As of Sunday night, the website listed over 17,000 votes for 61523.
But the challenge to be awarded funding to improve the community is far from over.
There are hundreds of towns competing; each vote really does make a difference.
In 2011, Reader’s Digest launched their We Hear You America campaign allowing communities to speak up about how they would benefit from winning one of the grant money prizes.
Last year, another Illinois town secured the #2 spot.
Fairbury was awarded $25,000 which was put towards the renovation of their 100 year old library. Fairbury Mayor Robert P. Walter, Jr. says “We were elated and very excited”. He adds “The whole community supported the project”. Mayor Walter also discusses how they rallied to gain votes “It turned into an international project. Fairbury natives who had moved away were voting, kids voted at school each day, nursing home residents were even voting”.
Fairbury used their money towards a library. What could Chillicothe do?
The We Hear You American webpage has a forum where residents can leave their input.
When asked what would make their town even better Chillicothian Jeff R. wrote ”Downtown redevelopment and riverfront restoration” and Lori S. wrote “Upgrading our Town Theatre.”
As their website says “Your Town Deserves Your Vote” Log on to ReaderDigest.com.
