Community Corner

Wheaton VFW Raises More Than $25,000 at Chili Fest

The VFW Post 2164 raised money that it will use to continue programs that stopped due to a lack of funds.

The Wheaton VFW Post 2164 raised enough money to offer programs that were on hiatus due to a yearly deficit of $25,000 at the Rockin’ Chili Fest fundraiser Saturday. According to VFW Post 2164 Quarter Master John Finn, the post raised more than its most ambitious goal of $25,000.

The chili fest drew almost 1,000 ticketholders who made donations, bought raffle tickets, spent money at the bar and bid on auction items while volunteers served chili and 94.7’s Dick Biondi greeted guests. Other special guests that helped promote the event included members of the Wheaton City Council, Illinois Sen. Kirk Dillard and Second District Appellate Judge Joe Birkett.

The 80-year-old post’s shrinking membership has led to its $25,000 deficit and cutbacks of programs and events, according to Finn. To continue to operate, he said the post has dug into its reserves, which could support the post for about a year.

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Wheaton Councilman and VFW member Tom Mouhelis said membership has changed because of the economy. Another reason, said Lee Burr, commander of VFW Post 2164, is the post's older membership.

“The old members are dying off,” Burr said, and younger veterans have jobs and families. With expense of a babysitter alone, young couples can’t afford to spend money at their VFW posts, he said.

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The young veterans, said Finn, “are looking for employment and are just getting their feet on the ground,” as they return from Afghanistan and Iraq. They either don’t have the time or the money to commit to a VFW membership.

“And we understand," he said. "That comes first."

He added that the problem isn’t unique to the Wheaton VFW. “Unless you’re large (or in a large locale), all of us are in trouble.”

After Saturday, however, the post will be able to continue some of the programs that halted due to a lack of funds. “We’ll just be able to do much more of what we were used to doing,” Finn said.

In the past, the post would visit schools, hospitals and nursing homes to support other veterans and teach students about patriotism and the United States flag, Finn said. 

“We’ve got a head a little more above water.”

Five veteran comrades formed the Wheaton VFW Post 2164 in 1931. Finn said the VFW—the country’s oldest veterans organization—is “elite,” as members must meet an eligibility criteria, which includes those who have received campaign medals for overseas service, served 30 consecutive, or 60 non-consecutive, days in Korea or received hostile fire or imminent danger pay.

“Here, you’re with your peers,” said Finn, who served during the Korean War. “A lot of people can’t talk about what we want to talk about (here).”

Mouhelis said Sunday he felt phenomenal about the fundraiser.

“Last night was just a lot of people helping us to ensure we can help others,” he said. “There were a lot of people I’ve never seen before … (who) read about the financial difficulties we’re having and they came and spent money and bought raffle tickets and ensured our being in existence.”

Leadership at VFW Post 2164 will determine which programs they will offer with the new funds next month, according to Finn.


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