BEECHER CITY - Bobby McCollum is living proof that you really can go home again, if people love you enough.

McCollum, 62, lives in Beecher City, a village where he'd grown up hardly blessed with the best of circumstances. Developmentally challenged, he eked out a living on life's edge doing odd jobs and was mainly looked after by relatives, especially his mom. When she died several years ago, McCollum found that tough times could get even tougher.

"Everything just got bad after that," he said.

He struggled on as best he could and wound up living in a ramshackle house with no heat, no plumbing and not much hope. He survived on food handouts and his odd job money, wearing donated clothes that he couldn't wash and left in piles that stretched towards the ceiling. Finally in June, the building was condemned by the Effingham County Health Department.

It looked like McCollum would have to leave his hometown, the only place he'd ever known, and spend his remaining days away somewhere with strangers in a nursing home or similar facility. Those who cared about him were shocked to discover how he had been living and worried about what a move away from Beecher City would do to him.

"He'd be miserable," says Larry Stoneburner, 57, one of McCollum's many friends. "And I believe he'd have been dead in six months."

But then something wonderful happened. As news spread of McCollum's situation, the people of Beecher City - population 450 - got together and decided they would build their friend a new home to be proud of.

A trust was formed to oversee the project, and fundraising started in earnest. Donations poured in from everywhere because McCollum, a familiar sight riding around town on his bike, had won over more hearts than he could ever know.

"He grew up dirt-poor and has just had one tough life," says Dick Donaldson, 70, a village trustee. "But he doesn't say anything bad about anybody, and he's just one likeable individual."

An apartment was donated for McCollum to live in while his friends pushed on with the house project. The list of businesses and volunteers donating materials or labor ran to more than 100 from Beecher City and beyond.

In the end, Bobby's house got built for just $10,000, and half of that amount has already been paid off with fundraisers. The inside of the 480-square-foot little house features a heated and air conditioned living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom with all new appliances, including a washer and dryer, plus all-new furnishings.

After 120 days of work to get it all done, it welcomed its new owner in September.

"Gosh, yes, it's nice," says McCollum, keen to show his sparkling new pad off to visitors. Everything inside gleams, and staff from Addus Health Care Co. drop in every week to help McCollum take care of himself and his house.

"Sometimes, before, I used to feel pretty sad," McCollum adds, standing by a framed "Home Sweet Home" sign at the front door, "but not anymore."

Beecher City Fire Chief Doug Ray is one of the trustees of the trust formed to help McCollum, and he frequently stops by to check how his friend is doing. He remembers how McCollum reacted when he found his home would feature a new recliner so he could sit back and watch his favorite show, "COPS," on a donated television.

"He just kept rubbing that chair with his hands," said Ray, 53, tears suddenly overwhelming his eyes. "He said, 'This is the nicest thing I've ever had. … I've never had anything new.' "

Tony Reid can be reached at treid@herald-review.com or 421-7977.