SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/01/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - In 2008, a group of five people came together for nothing more than to help Soldiers and their families. Operation Blackhawk began raising money to help servicemembers.
Staff Sgt. John K. Clinton of Greenup, Illinois, deployed twice, was working a temporary job with the Illinois Army National Guard when that ended, he found himself struggling to make ends meet. Clinton was no longer able to pay his bills and was in jeopardy of losing his transportation.
During a family day picnic with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry in Effingham, Illinois, Operation Blackhawk made a substantial difference in one Soldiers life. Clinton heard of Operation Blackhawk and asked for help.
"I was unemployed at 49 years old with a bad back," said Clinton. "I told them my story and they offered me a job, where I started a few days later. They helped my family get caught up on bills."
Operation Blackhawk made arrangements and helped Clinton become current with the payments on his bills. Paul Gutman, owner of Legacy Harley Davidson in Effingham, Illinois, hired Clinton full-time at the dealership.
"We supported him, as he supported us," said Gutman, one of the original five to start Operation Blackhawk.
Operation Blackhawk gives back to the Soldiers who gave so much, said Gutman.
"Without the Blackhawk group support, my wife and I would have lost a lot," said Clinton. "The organization helped pay my bills so we didn't lose anything. They helped us keep our sanity through a bad time."
The organization started with a group of men from Effingham, Illinois, who had a deep sense of support for the military. Boris Bonutti, Bob Lakin, Dennis Brown, Bob Ferguson and Gutman understand Soldiers go through different hardships. They want Guardsmen to know community businesses support military members.
The organization said it understands that unplanned and expensive issues arise, such as, a broken car or plumbing issues. The organization wants to ensure Soldiers and their families make it through those challenges, said Gutman.
Operation Blackhawk wants to let Soldiers know if they need help in any way, their organization is a resource, financially and otherwise, said Bonutti.
"That is the mission," said Gutman. "We want to be able to support our local guys and let them know we are here for them."
Future plans for the organization are to educate other groups or organizations around Illinois, who can start similar organizations. They are currently working through the process to receive donations.
