DECATUR — Jamesly Jesse is like any other 15-year-old high school sophomore, but with a few details from his past that make him a bit more special.
Moweaqua teen Jamesly Jesse organized a meal packing event to give back to his home country of Haiti. The 15-year-old was adopted by a Moweaqua family following an earthquake in Haiti in 2010.
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Haitian people receive packaged meals from volunteers.
Mary Jesse is pictured with Jamesly prior to his adoption while on a missionary trip to Haiti.
Volunteers help set up stations during a meal packing event Sunday in Moweaqua.
From the archives: Boy Scouts and Decatur
Campfire
1941: In respect to Dan Beard, Boy Scout national commissioner who died, Scouts at Camp Robert Faries are keeping a fire burning constantly during the summer camping season. The boys feed the fire in shifts. Taking their turn, left to right, Darrell Miller, Shelbyville; Peter Brown, Bement and Billy Bishop, Decatur.
Boy Scout camp store
1939: The camp store is a favorite spot between hours of routine activity.
Camp Robert Faries pool
1957: A group of Boy Scouts refresh themselves in the pool at Camp Robert Faries, on the south shore of Lake Decatur at the end of South Shore Drive. The camp, now about 30 years old, provides outdoor living for about 1,000 boys each summer. Campers are from through through Lincoln Trails Council, which includes nine Central Illinois counties.
Opening and closing camp for the day
1944: The ceremony that opens and closes the day at Boy Scout camp is one familiar the nation over. Proudly members of Americans oldest uniformed boys organization stand at attention as the flag is raised.
Totem pole
1962: "Work like beaver, stick to trail like wolf, reach eagle," this Camp Robert Faries totem pole says to Randy Harris, camp staff member from Mattoon. Decatur scouts carved the pole.
Building of gate
1932: Building of Boy Scout gate.
Activities
1941: During relaxation periods, the boys read, talk and clean up their tents. At one of the tents are, left to right, Griffin Nelson, Eugene Dale and Richard Cox, all of Decatur.
Handicraft
1941: Handicraft is a popular activity and every camper turns out articles of wood, leather or metal. Bobby Ickes of Decatur is working on a pair of moccasins, while Mervin Morris, also of Decatur, is weaving a belt.
Knot work
1962: When Boy Scouts go to camp, they go, as their slogan says, prepared. So it was this spring that Jim Majors, 14 (right) spent a few days at Camp Robert Faries in junior leaders training learning his duties as senior patrol leader when his troop, Troop 9 of Decatur, went to camp. Here, Randy Harris, of the camp staff, shows Jim some knot work.
Washing dishes
1950: Washing dishes for the opening of Boy cCout camp are Drew Meldahl, Explorer Post 2014 (front); Golden Hullinger, Troop 13 and Marvin Heffington, Troop 8 (rear).
Award Ribbons
1962: Jim Majors (right) and members of Troop 9 admire some award ribbons received at Camp Robert Faries.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
Donnette Beckett
"Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter
