Flood relief: 'We figure this is our job'

Flood relief: 'We figure this is our job'

When heavy rains started pelting the town of Pearl City, Ill., on July 21, it started what became the town’s fourth flood in 14 years. And for the fourth time in 14 years, American Legion Post 1014 opened its doors to the community.

Post 1014 began serving three daily meals the day after the flooding started and has been doing so for almost a week. But the post also is providing community residents with much-needed supplies as they begin the process of cleaning up their homes.

“This is our fourth flood since 2002, and we’ve opened up (during the floods) every year,” said Roger Jacobs, who serves as Post 1014’s building manager and historian. "We figure this is our job. We figure we should be doing it. Our motto is to help people, and that’s why we do it.”

After the rains began, flood waters rose to over a foot higher than they did during a 2010 flood. Property was damaged, and some residents had to evacuate their homes as more than three feet of water poured into their houses.

Post 1014 began serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as doubling as a donation center for those who wanted to help. And if someone comes into the post wanting to help a flood victim, the post is directing them somewhere to provide that help.

“We’ve had people donate food, money and supplies,” Post 1014 Commander Dale Lapp said. “The donations coming in have been phenomenal.”

On July 22 alone, the Legion served 200 people for dinner and two days later another 90. Jacobs and Post Treasurer Bill Leibenstein have been at the post from 6:30 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m. each day, while other Legionnaires and Auxiliary members have been helping out regularly.

Churches and other organizations also have been providing meals for the post to serve.

“We’re a close-knit (town),” Jacobs said. “And when people come in, they’re glad we’re here. They’ve made so many comments saying what a good job the Legion is doing – providing meals and helping out, doing different jobs that we can do.

“We just feel obligated to do something for them. And we’re having a good time with it.”