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the Mokena Messenger | September 15, 2016 | 5
Ladies Auxiliary’s BBQ Bonanza to raise money for U.S. vets
Amanda Del Buono
Freelance Reporter
The weekend of Sept. 10
included a myriad of events
in remembrance of the tragedy
that shook the nation,
Sept. 11, 2001. To continue
to show support, raise funds
and celebrate the lives of
U.S. veterans, the Ladies
Auxiliary Club of William
Martin Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 725 in Mokena
hosted its seventh annual
BBQ Bonanza.
From 4 p.m. to midnight,
BBQ Bonanza stayed true to
its name and greeted guests
with a barbequed steak dinner
and a vast assortment of
side dishes. Several raffles
rounded out the evening’s
festivities. To add, a moment
of silence was held to recognize
those affected by the
fateful events of Sept. 11.
Ladies Auxiliary Club
president Vickie Hogan and
member Anna Hansen said
with each year, the fundraising
event has grown in size
and gained recognition, becoming
an all-around community
event.
“This year, all of the food,
except the steaks, was donated
by local companies,”
Hansen said. “When we first
started, we made all of the
food, and we would pay to
help with the raffle baskets.
Now, we’re getting these
donations supporting us. …
People are starting to know
about it and know it’s for a
good cause.”
Vickie Hogan added, “We
are thrilled with everybody
that comes out. … The Village
does a lot; they are so
supportive of our V.F.W., as
well as most of the community.
… There’s just a lot of
community involvement in
this.”
The Ladies Auxiliary Club
has hosted the Sunday evening
occasion as a method to
raise funds that will be used
to give aid to veterans near
Ray and Cheryl Stakenas, of Mokena, enjoy drinks before
eating some barbecue at the annual BBQ Bonanza hosted
by the Ladies Auxiliary Club on Sept. 11.
and far, Hogan and Hansen
said.
“Half of what we raise
here goes straight to the
[Manteno Veterans’ Home],
and the other half we do
other things with,” Hogan
noted.
Among many of the organization’s
efforts, they plan
to use the other half raised
for families of local veterans,
fund Honor Flights –
which provides veterans a
free trip to Washington, D.C.
to visit the memorials of the
respective wars they fought
in –, send care packages to
overseas veterans, she added.
“We wanted to do a big
fundraiser for the veterans
here and away,” Hansen
said. “So, we started the
BBQ Bonanza and for the
past few years we’ve been
able to donate significant
amounts of money.”
The organization tries to
donate a total of $5,000 each
year back to the veterans,
she said.
“It’s a great organization,”
said Orland Park resident,
Jackie Keeman, who attended
the event with her
husband, Charles. “Any
time they run anything, if we
can support them, we’ll do
Jackie Keenan, of Orland Park, cuts into her steak, which
she topped with mushrooms.
that. … Any time you can do
anything for a vet, you don’t
ask; you just do it.”
Although Charles was a
member of the U.S. military,
he did not deploy overseas
and cannot become a member
of the V.F.W. However,
he and his wife often support
the Post 725 by attending
their gatherings, and Charles
even helps with the cooking
for a select few.
Up next, the Post 725
Men’s Auxiliary Club will
host its annual Cash Bash
Mike Ojermark (from left to right), of Crete, Bill Kordik, of Mokena, and Tony Ortiz, of
Frankfort, work the grill. Photos By Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and proceeds
will benefit local veterans
and veteran organizations.
“Without these supporting
organizations, this Post would
dwindle,” Post 725 commander
Jim Hogan. “They
keep us involved in the community.
… Everyone here is
a volunteer, and every penny
generated goes to support the
armed forces and families,
here and overseas. I’m delighted
that we’re an integral
part of supporting them.”
Dean J. Reszel
(C) 708.497.8718
(WK) 708.478.3136
dean.reszel@countryfinancial.com
0215-016
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