Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

QUINCY, ILL. -- Update:  Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 at 9:25 a.m.

Chad Douglas traveled to Washington, D.C. to talk with Derek Jennings about his recovery and his future.  You can watch a special half-hour program, "A Soldier's Story", about Jennings on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. on ABC 7.2.

----- 

The snow didn't keep scores of people from turning out to honor a Quincy native hurt overseas.

Supporters showed up at the Eagles Lodge in Quincy to help raise money for Derek Jennings.

He's the soldier who was hurt in Afghanistan when a pressure plate exploded near him last October.

Jennings is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The American Legion Post 37 put on this fund raiser complete with a raffle, food, music and auction.

Proceeds will help Jennings' family offset medical costs.

KHQA's Rajah Maples spoke with an organizer who said he has never met Derek Jennings.

But there was no doubt in Tracy Taber's mind that he wanted to do something to help.

Taber said, "I felt we should do something for him, so I brought it to the attention of our post commander against the American Legion and all the guys there decided yes, we should do something for him, and we started organizing it back in November, and with all the help and support from family and friends, this is the outcome. I'm very happy with the outcome. We were kind of worried about with the weather and with the football game on today, but it hasn't seemed to affect the crowd at all."

The event raised $20,986.80.

Taber said you can still donate to the cause even if you weren't able to attend Sunday. 

He said you can call him at (217) 224-7883 or the American Legion.