Members of VFW Post 4763 in Chatham, Ill., are coming up with innovative ways to reach out to the community. Earlier in September, the Post hosted its second annual “Rock for VFW.”
Three bands—3rd Person, Scrap Yard and Broken Stone—offered to play for free at the event, which raised $2,500. In addition to the rock concert, there was a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and a bounce house for the children. The Post uses all proceeds to help veterans.
Post Commander and Iraq vet Jay Hoffman said the activities were very much family events, as are most events at the Post these days.
“We want to offer options for younger families, too,” said Hoffman, who has two children. “There are always little kids running around the Post.”
That’s why a “game night” has been introduced at the Post. Families show up and play board games together.
Members also constructed a swing set on the property and turned a storage room into a playroom.
At last year’s “Rock for VFW” concert, $3,500 was brought in to ultimately help veterans in need. Hoffman attributes raising less money this year to the stormy weather. He also noted that the Post had to compete with the Illinois State Fair.
“We just wanted to have fun and raise money for veterans,” Hoffman said.
By Janie Dyhouse