From left to right: Front Row; Jim Beasley, Co-Chair Veterans Tribute; Travis Henson, Co-Chair, Veterans Tribute; Alan Owens, President, Centralia Chamber; Tom Kasten, Centralia Chamber. Back Row; Kim McMillan, Centralia Chamber, Bob Kelsheimer, Centralia Chamber; Dick Cary, Centralia Chamber; Dr. Jim Underwood, Kaskaskia College; Dr. Dee Boswell, Veterans Tribute.

The Centralia Chamber of Commerce has announced a 5-thousand dollar contribution to the planned Veteran's Tribute Project at Kaskaskia College. The announcement of the donation was made official today.

Veterans Tribute Co-Chairman Jim Beasley was delighted with the donation and thanked the Chamber for the contribution. Chamber president Alan Owen says the organization has made donations back to the community from Balloonfest as funds have allowed, and the donation was especially fitting since it coincides with the 20th Anniversary of Balloon fest.

The Veterans Tribute will recognize those who have served in a five county area. It will be completed in three phases with an estimated price tag of 700-thousand dollars. Recently multiple townships, cities and counties have passed ordinances endorsing the construction of the project.

The next major fundraising opportunity will be the "Ride For Our Veterans" bike around Carlyle Lake on Sunday. For more information on the event, you can reach Ed Kleber at 407-0484.