Above / Hats off for the colorful display of community spirit and charitable giving during the merry month of May, beginning with two events Sat., May 4, when everybody is welcome! (PN File Photo)
UPDATE, May 5, 2019 / Photographer Jim Hoch writes, “Perfect weather yesterday for the Honor Flight Fundraiser! Special thanks to all involved for hosting this special event (that raises funds to send Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit tributes and memorials to all their service).
Honor Flight Chicago Fundraiser / 11AM-2PM
From 11AM-2PM, Sat., May 4, the DuPage Veterans Foundation will host its Annual Honor Flight Chicago fundraiser, being held again inside the spacious Calamos Investments Hangar out at the DuPage County Airport, 2700 International Drive, in West Chicago.
(Suggestion: For lunch, arrive before 1PM.)
The luncheon event features special guests, bagpipers, live music, dancing with veterans, patriotic military displays, memorabilia, silent auction items up for bid, and high-flying aircraft.
All proceeds from this annual event will benefit Honor Flight Chicago and its mission to send World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., for an all expenses paid one-day tour of the war memorials in the the nation’s Capitol.
Admission tickets to the fundraiser are $40 at the door and $20 per child.
Note: With gratitude, World War II & Korean War veterans are welcomed free of charge.
Kentucky Derby Party for Hesed House / 3-7PM
The 8th Annual Kentucky Derby Party, a gala fundraiser for Hesed House, is slated to run from 3-10PM Sat., May 4, at Naper Settlement, Webster at Aurora in Naperville. After the formal presentations and thoroughbred racing, it’s truly a race to end homelessness and benefit Hesed House.
The Kentucky Derby Party is open to the public with advance reservations. Everybody is welcome!
Tickets are $150 per person/open seating and $1,500/reserved table of 10. A portion of every reservation is tax deductible under current tax law.
A few things to know…
The Kentucky Derby 2019 is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky, always on the first Saturday in May.
In Naperville, the Derby Party begins at 3PM Sat., May 4. And this year it’s under an enormous tent at Naper Settlement.
Formal presentations start at 4PM.
Post time for the 145th Run for the Roses is 5:34PM.
Beginning with the National Anthem, see all the festivities from Churchill Downs broadcast on the big screens at Naper Settlement.
In addition to the Derby, raffles, silent auction and live auction, one of the many creative activities during the event is the popular Derby Diva Hat Contest, a time when men and women can show off the stuff on top of their head for fun, prizes and bragging rights.
PN readers have been using the search tool on this website looking for “Derby Hats” this week. Find wide-brimmed hats locally at women’s shops, Bed & Bath & Beyond, J. Crew, Target and discount department stores. Then adorn with a band of polka dot ribbon (polka dots are part of the Churchill Downs tradition), colorful silk flowers coordinated with dress, and add other trinkets available at craft stores to personalize the fun of the Derby Party.
Finally, dancing to the live music begins nonstop during the after-party at 7PM. Over and out by 10PM.
For last-minute availability of reservations, contact Lauren Jernigan, Assistant Director of Development, at (630) 8972156 Ext 514, or ljernigan@hesedhouse.org.
