Blandinsville hosts Honor Flight fundraiser

BLANDINSVILLE, Ill. (WGEM) -- Residents in Blandinsville, Illinois came together Saturday evening to raise $7,026 to send local veterans on the Honor Flight.

Community members came together for a grill challenge.

Participants were able to sample a variety of foods cooked by local residents who voted in their favorites.

Hosted for the sixth straight year by 2 Doors Down restaurant, organizers said they know the impact the Honor Flight can have.

“We’ve had several people from Blandinsville go on the Honor Flight and that’s all they’ve talked about for two weeks, three weeks after they get back,” 2 Doors Down owner Randy Whited said. “They just have a great time, they can’t stop talking about it.”

Great River Honor Flight officials said over the years, the event has raised over $17,000 to help pay for local veterans to get a free trip to visit their memorials in Washington D.C..

They said they are looking to once again schedule trips next spring.