BY DANI TIETZ
dani@mahometnews.com
For some, it’s not about self, but about community.
Since 1984, Homer resident, Don Happ has been working to better his community.
A Philo native, Happ, along with his wife, Deb, chose Homer as the place to start their family.
“At that time, no one knew the impact this man would have on our community,” Homer Activity Committee Chairman Angela Lawrence said.
By 1985 Happ joined the Homer Fire Department. During that same time, Happ opened Don’s Auto Center out of the family home located in town.
As 1988 rolled around, his business had grown to need a larger space. Happ opened his storefront at 202 N Main St., providing residents with a reliable auto mechanic and commercial revenue for the town.
A year later he purchased the Amoco gas station, which later became Marathon. The Happs have also established a rental business in Homer, providing rental houses, apartments and storage units to the community.
By 1990, the fire department continued to fill the need of responding to fire calls, but also saw a need to run medical calls, too.
“Don along with the assistance of Pro Ambulance started that process,” Lawrence said.
In 2009, the Homer Fire Department went from an intermediate first-responder level to an immediate life support level.
“Without hesitation, (Happ) knew what he needed to do,” Lawrence said. “Soon after with lots of training and licensing, we were able to upgrade.”
A decade later, on Aug. 1, 2019, the Homer Fire Department announced that it will team with OSF Pro Ambulance Service to have an ambulance in the Homer station.
“Waiting for an ambulance to come from the Champaign area could take 20 to 30 minutes,” Lawrence said. “And unfortunately 20 to 30 minutes could be the difference between life and death for some people.”
Lawrence said Happ’s commitment to Homer has gone beyond his commitment to business and the fire station, though.
He has also made a point to sponsor anything from ball teams and festivals, and fireworks to band trips.
After decades of commitment to Homer, Happ was named the 2019 Homer Citizen of the Year for the second time on Saturday afternoon.
Happ was humble in his acceptance speech.
“I’ll just say one quick thing, that this isn’t about me, it’s a team effort,” he said. “This fire department is a team effort with my fire chiefs over in Sidney. This isn’t about me; Pro Ambulance, it’s all a team. And I appreciate everybody.”
