Above / From one year to the next, with fond memories of many good times stuffed with camaraderie by the number, members of the VFW Post 3873 and Auxiliary host their annual Turkey Raffle on the Saturday evening before Thanksgiving Day. (PN File Photo, Used Again!)
Update, Nov. 22, 2025 / VFW Turkey Raffle attracts Veterans, friends and families to its annual fund raising event in Kendall Hall… Thanks to all!
By the end of fundraising evening, just after 9PM, it became apparent the successful raffle winner in the orange “Harley” vest was prepared to take home more than a few slabs of prime rib. Thanks, Bill Hogan, for the photo titled “A Thanksgiving Raffle winner!”
Original Post, Nov. 19, 2025 / For 2025, the annual Turkey Raffle stuffed with opportunities to participate in other fundraising raffles is set for 6PM to 9PM Sat., Nov. 22. The evening takes place in Kendall Hall, upstairs in the Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jackson Avenue.
Chef Terrell Cole, owner of Dark Horse Catering and food purveyor for the evening, has planned the dinner menu with a variety of choices, all priced just right.
Cash bar will be available. Canteen downstairs also will be open.
Come one, come all, for a hot time in the old town with enough gobblers for everyone who plays the game. Yes! With a little know-how, everyone will win a turkey. The magic is in the numbers. Just ask how!
Be there for good gobbling and camaraderie, just for the fun and fundraising of it!
Turkey Raffle benefits programs & operations of VFW
The annual benefit helps to fund the operations of the facility with its canteen, home to Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and socials for the American Legion Post 43 and Auxiliary.
Currently, Navy Veteran Staci Boyer is Commander of the place where many year-round programs are planned and held to ensure the care of Veterans and their families.
The facility with its large, recently updated banquet room, Kendall Hall, also is a popular meeting place throughout the year for service organizations such as the Naperville Jaycees, Naperville Responds for Veterans, and events such as the post’s Friday Night Fish Fry every week during Lent.
The enclosed back porch is another much-used space for meetings and social events.
Kendall Hall also is available for rent. With its large parking lot, local residents find it convenient for fundraisers, birthday and anniversary parties, baby and bridal showers, wedding receptions, family reunions, memorial luncheons and any time space for up to 250 individuals is needed.
For more information about the Turkey Raffle, the VFW Auxiliary and other programs provided by the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, visit www.napervfw3873.org.
And thanks for fun memories…
Thanks to Jim Hoch for his commentary, his photos and his discretion in 2024.
“Last night’s Turkey Raffle attendance reminded me of what it was like pre-covid!” Hoch writes. “VERY WELL attended, everyone laughing and having a great time, and lots of money being spent, er donated, to the VFW for their Veteran oriented causes! What a great night!”
Click here. 2024 collection courtesy James Hoch Photography
Update for Turkey Raffle 2024 / This year’s Turkey Raffle begins at 6PM Sat., Nov. 23. Come one, come all, for a hot time in the old town with enough gobblers for everyone who plays the game. Yes! Everyone will win a turkey. The magic is in the numbers. Just ask how!
Update for Turkey Raffle 2023 / This year’s Turkey Raffle begins at 6PM Sat., Nov. 18. Come one, come all, for the fun of gobblers for everyone.
Updated Post, Nov. 19 2022 / Once a turkey… Then came the rest of the photos by Jim Hoch with his comments… “It looked to me like this was a super successful Turkey Raffle tonight… LOTS of people both upstairs and down, and everyone was having a great time.”
Updated Post, Nov. 18, 2022 / To answer numerous inquiries, admission to attend the annual Turkey Raffle is free of charge. However, this Turkey Raffle is an important friend- and-fund raising event at the VFW, hosted by the VFW Post 3873 and Auxiliary. All generosity is appreciated.
Upstairs, the cash bar as well as ticket sales to participate in a variety of raffles and auctions will serve the fundraising event.
According to Chef Terrell Cole, owner of Dark Horse Catering and food purveyor for the evening, the dinner menu will include a variety of choices, all priced right.
On the main level, the Canteen also will be open.
Original Post, Oct. 17, 2022 / Veterans and the Naperville community are reminded that the annual Turkey Raffle begins at 6PM Sat., Nov. 19, 2022, at the Judd Kendall VFW Post, 908 W. Jackson Avenue. The public is welcome to attend.
Be prepared for an evening of cheers, packed with enthusiastic barkers selling raffle tickets among fun-loving revelers, all eager to take home prized turkeys, slabs of prime rib and holiday gift baskets when the three-hour Turkey Raffle returns to the VFW just in time for Thanksgiving. The evening also offers many folks a chance to win the 50-50 Raffle.
Prize-winning numbers will match up to take home turkeys, meats and gift baskets during the popular fundraiser that typically attracts several hundred supporters for fun and camaraderie to benefit the physical needs of the VFW post, upstairs and downstairs.
Organizers promise turkeys and prime rib will be featured in the raffle. In addition the Auxiliary will put together many gift baskets chock full of “themed” items available for a silent auction.
Food will be prepared by Terrell Cole of Dark Horse Catering in Naperville. Cash bars will be available. The Canteen also will be open.
Recognizing that the past few years have been a difficult time for many local restaurants and businesses, organizers are especially grateful to all merchants throughout the local community for supporting Veterans’ events whenever possible.
Purchase raffle tickets during 2022 event at VFW
Raffle tickets will be for sale during the Turkey Raffle at the VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson Avenue.
Spirited barkers will sell raffle tickets for turkeys ($1/each), prime rib ($5/each), 50/50 ($5/each) and a number of prize packages sponsored by Auxiliary members ($1/each). And the popular Booze Raffle will return. Look for other prize raffle surprises, too.
Find plenty happening at the VFW
For more information about the Turkey Raffle, the VFW Auxiliary, Canteen hours, rental rates as well as the variety of Veterans’ programs provided by the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, visit www.napervfw3873.org.
