PEORIA, Ill. — A 7th grader from Metamora has raised thousands of dollars for local veterans over the past few years.
Jay Murphy’s mom Jenny explains that his interest in vets, and the local Honor Flights out of Peoria, started when he was in the first grade.
“Everyone had stories to tell about a special veteran that they know who went on the Honor Flight, or who served, or didn’t get to go…it’s such a great cause for so many people. But, the response that we got, just really inspired him to keep going,” Jenny Murphy said.
Murphy told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, to date, her son has raised nearly $10,000 for veterans, and those efforts are especially important to him now that his older brother is serving in the military.
The Murphys are volunteering on Peoria’s Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
Jay explained how they’ll be helping out.
“We’re volunteering to help around, help with the Mail Call, getting water and food, helping people off the plane,” Murphy said.
Jenny Murphy said she’d love to see a big crowd welcome the vets back to Peoria Thursday night.
“The shuttles start at 8:00 from CEFCU, and we want to pack the place…so it’s big crowd welcoming them home. And, really exciting…a great experience for them,” Murphy said.
Peoria’s Honor Flight is scheduled to return to Peoria International Airport around 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
