NuMark donates house to help veterans

Veterans of Foreign Wars members John "Jack" Leininger (left) and Ray Eich work outside a donated home in Marseilles that will be refurbished to be a future home of a local veteran. Photo courtesy of mywebtimes.com.

NuMark Credit Union in Joliet recently donated a home located in Marseilles to a couple of veterans, who plan to renovate the structure for a fellow veteran.

Ray Eich, NuMark Credit Union board chairman and a Marseilles resident, said the business had acquired the home after the death of a member,

"As a Vietnam Veteran, I have a soft spot in my heart and want to help my fellow veterans," said Eich. He approached the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Marseilles to see if they knew of a veteran who needed a home. He connected with VFW members, Jack Leininger and Danny Jackson, who determined they could save the home with significant work.

"No money was exchanged. NuMark paid the back taxes and gave (Leininger and Jackson) the house," said Eich.

Although the home has a sound structure, there is a lot of work to be done.

"After the roof, the home needs siding replaced, a new furnace, a new hot water heater and plaster repairs," said Eich.

Leininger and Jackson hope to have the home ready for an occupant sometime next year.

"We will be looking for a veteran who has a good credit rating and the means to take care of the property," said Eich. "The rent will repay initial costs. After that, the money will go toward future VFW projects in Marseilles."

Leininger and Jackson are looking for volunteers, companies and/or contractors in La Salle, Grundy, or Will counties to donate muscle and materials to help with remodeling costs. If you would like to help with the project, contact NuMark Credit Union at ask@numarkcu.org.

"In all my years here, nothing like this has been done. The entire board and I welcomed the idea and made his proposal a reality," said Ann M. Dubie, NuMark Credit Union president and CEO.