The Woodridge Rotary is hosting a special Gala on December 6, 2023

The Woodridge Memorial Post 1578 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was founded on November 8, 1983. Three charter members remain very active today. The Post has about 40 active members and 60 inactive members who meet on the last Tuesday of every month at Shanahan’s Food & Spirits in Woodridge.

These brave men and women have served our country on foreign shores for over four decades. Many local VFW posts have recently closed due to the aging population of its members. According to Past Commander Robert Reichert, Post 1578 needs to attract new members so it does not become extinct. To attract these younger Veterans of Foreign Wars the post has a need to provide special services and educational scholarhips for its members and extended family members. The Rotary International theme for this year is to create hope in our community and the world. The Woodridge Rotary Club will be hosting a special Gala on December 6, 2023 at Bobak’s Banquets for the purpose of assisting Post 1578 to achieve their goals of attracting new Veterans of Foreign Wars and creating a living legacy memorial in Woodridge. Phase one of this project would be to raise funds to provide special services for those Veterans of Post 1578 who are in need. Phase two would be to procure a special local memorial monument for those who served and given their all. Phase three would be to redesign the Veteran’s memorial area and increase seating and improved landscape behind the current memorial wall. Proceeds from the Woodridge Rotary Holiday Gala event will help to fund these projects and create improved hope within our Woodridge community.
In addition to funding these services, the Woodridge Rotary Club will be working with "Project Cure". Project Cure provides much needed hospital and medical supplies to suffering countries in need of medical equipment. Project Cure will send $500,000 worth of equipment and medical supplies which will save the lives of soldiers, children and families in these war-torn areas to create much needed hope in our world.

If you would like to participate or donate money to the Woodridge Rotary Club Gala fundraiser you can do so by going to the Woodridge Rotary website, www.woodridgerotary.org The Holiday Gala fundraiser will be held on Wednesday December 6th, cocktails and heavy appetizers from 6:30 to 8pm followed by music featuring the band “Strung Out”. Tickets are $75 per person. Woodridge Rotary is a 501c3 charity. You cannot allow VFW Post 1578 to become extinct. We must create a legacy that these proud men deserve.
Rich Moore, President of the Woodridge Rotary Club was the guest speaker at the Golden Years Senior organization which is held at the Woodridge Park District every Thursday at 1pm. The President of the Golden Years Senior Group, Jenny Giertz asked its members to support this great cause. Many of the seniors had family members who served in the military at one time or another. This great organization has many activities for seniors living in the Woodridge area. For more details visit the Park District website.

The Woodridge Rotary Club Board of Directors and members from the VFW Post 1578 met with Chris Zalinski, General Manager of Bobak’s and Karen Boedeker, Sales Manager to discuss the details of the Woodridge Rotary Holiday Gala. Everyone took a tour of Bobak’s Banquet facility. This beautiful 13,000+ square feet ballroom space which can accommodate up to 1500 people , has been a staple in the Woodridge community for several decades. They have an award winning cuisine, tailored menus that feature the finest and freshest ingredients for thir clients special event. It's perfect for both social, and corporate, and fundraising events. The Woodridge Rotary Club is so proud to be hosting our second annual Gala event at Bobak’s and appreciate the planning assistance provided by Chris Zalinski and Karen Boedeker, they are truly planning professionals and we appreciate their guidance.

The following is a list of sponsors participating in this second annual fundraiser:

Bobak's Signature Room Banquets

Old National Bank

Dr. Rob Girgis

Comcast

Home Run Inn

American Water

Darien Rotary Club

Tom Manno, Paoluci Jewlers

Robert Kramer, Record Producer

Shanahan’s Food & Spirits

Ike & Oak

Legends

Lima Fresca

If you would like to purchase tickets, make a donation or become a sponsor visit www.woodridgerotary.org we need your help to assure that VFW Post 1578 will not become extinct.

Bobak's Signature Events is located at 6440 Double Eagle Drive in Wodridge, Illinois 60517