AMVETS Riders Give Goodwill New Van

NORTH PEKIN — Area veterans are cruising around in a new set of wheels. It's all thanks to the AMVETS Riders Chapter 169. They donated a 2003 Ford van to Goodwill Industries of Central, Illinois. The van will be used at Goodwill's General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans.

Goodwill says the plan is to use the van to help residents become more independent, and make it easier for them to get around the community. "They'll be able to have greater opportunity to go to job interviews, do something as simple as grocery shopping," said Director of Development Jim Lynch.  "To go to different special events whether tied to Goodwill or other organizations.  It just creates a freedom that they didn't have before."

This is the second time AMVETS Riders have donated a van. The group only formed two years ago. It's the first chapter in Illinois.