Small town rallies to give disabled man a home

BEECHER CITY -- The love of friends and the kindness of strangers ensured Bobby McCollum got a special holiday celebration.

The 62-year-old developmentally challenged man has spent all his life in the central Illinois village of Beecher City.

Cared for by his mother, McCollum managed to earn a living doing odd jobs and becoming a familiar sight in the community of 450 astride his bike.

But when his mother died several years ago, McCollum found himself living in a ramshackle house without heat or plumbing. After it was condemned in June by the Effingham County Health Department, McCollum faced the prospect of leaving for a nursing home.

Until his tiny community rallied.

After months of work and donations, McCollum's new home this holiday season is a 480-square-foot house built just for him.

"Gosh, yes, it's nice," said McCollum, who has a framed "Home Sweet Home" sign at the front door. "Sometimes, before, I used to feel pretty sad, but not anymore."

A trust was formed to oversee the project and more than 100 people donated time, materials and money to build the $10,000 home complete with heat, air conditioning, a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. There are appliances -- including a washer and dryer -- plus all-new furnishings.

McCollum moved in this fall.

"He grew up dirt-poor and has just had one tough life," says Dick Donaldson, 70, a village trustee. "But he doesn't say anything bad about anybody, and he's just one likable individual."

Staff from Addus Health Care Co. visit weekly to help McCollum take care of himself and the house.

Fire Chief Doug Ray helped form the trust and remembers how McCollum reacted when he found the home would feature a new recliner.

"He just kept rubbing that chair with his hands," said Ray. "He said, 'This is the nicest thing I've ever had. ... I've never had anything new.' "