Members from Hadley’s Haven receiving a donation of over $56,000 from the now dissolved Union County Liquor Association trust fund. Those in attendance were, from the left, Kelli Wood, Amber Detering, Lenore Ashby, Becky Stone, Lou Boswell, Denise Crane, Cassie Hanson, Mark Chamness and Don Stone. Photo by Benjamin Marxer.

Hadley's Haven project receives major donation

I’ve always looked forward to the day that I can dissolve this organization and see the money went to a charity that so many people believe in”

A local charity has received a large donation courtesy of an 80-year-old Union County merchant group. 

On Monday, Nov. 18, the board members of Hadley’s Haven assembled to receive a check for $56,498.27 from the Union County Liquor Association. 

In the years after the end of prohibition in the 1930s, a handful of Union County bar and tavern owners joined together to create a fund that could help shield their businesses should restrictive liquor laws return. 

Among these business owners were the father and grandfather of Lou Boswell. Lou’s grandfather opened Boswell’s Tavern in Anna in 1933, which Lou currently owns and operates. 

“For every drink they sold, they would put in so much for the trust fund, and that’s how the trust fund got built up,” said Lou.  

According to Lou, the fund started with around $10,000 and over the decades built up from there. It was written in the bylaws that should the trust ever be dissolved, the money was to be donated to charity. With prohibition far in the past, current overseers of the trust found looked for a new cause to benefit. 

“I’ve always looked forward to the day that I can dissolve this organization and see the money went to a charity that so many people believe in,” said Lou.

“Because all the money was made locally, I wanted to see it get spent locally here,” Lou continued.  “And I felt like Hadley’s Haven was a very good choice to keep the money in the community.”

Hadley’s Haven is a non-profit private foundation that is raising funds for an all-inclusive playground planned for construction at the Anna City Park in Anna.

The project is named in honor of Hadley Chase Ashby, who was 19 months old when she passed away in December 2017 after being born with a rare birth defect.

Hadley’s mother, Lenore Ashby, founded Hadley’s Haven as a way to keep Hadley’s legacy alive in a way that can bring joy and comfort into the lives of parents and children who face similar challenges. 

“Through Hadley’s life, I met so many incredible people, through therapies, through hospital stays, that all had children with disabilities, and all had a lot of things that effected their daily life due to their children with disabilities,” said Lenore. 

“I thought, how can I make this better? And how can Hadley’s journey continue going by benefiting people?” said Lenore. “So I thought, a park. We can do a playground.” 

Lenore was on hand to accept the check from Lou Boswell and the other members of the trust. 

“Knowing that people are thinking of Hadley’s Haven and want to be involved and want to help is amazing,” said Lenore. 

“I’m so happy that people like Lou Boswell want to be involved with our project.” 

For more information on how to donate to Hadley’s Haven, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/Hadleys-Haven-855509171477783 or email at hadleyshaven2018@gmail.com.

 

 

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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