VFW Joins Rotary Club in Coat Drive for Homeless Veterans

The Woodridge VFW is joining forces with the Rotary Club of Woodridge to collect gently used coats for homeless veterans. People can drop off coats at Shanahan's Food & Spirits on 75th Street in Woodridge. The VFW also will be holding an Oktoberfest fundraiser at Shanahan's on October 19, to raise money for the organization.

Shanahan's owner, Richard Moore, said he was discussing options with the VFW's post commander, Bob Reichert, to help the organization raise funds. Moore, who is a past president of the Rotary Club of Woodridge, also wanted to help with the rotary's coat drive.

"Reichert suggested that we use Shanahan's as a drop off area for the coat drive for homeless vets," said Moore in an email to Patch.

Moore said he was looking to host an Oktoberfest celebration and suggested partnering with the VFW to make the Oktoberfest event a fundraiser for the organization on Friday, October 19. He suggested that the coat drop off could take place the next day on Saturday, October 20.

The fundraiser will feature a meal prepared by Klaus Mandl, who was the executive chef at The Wyndam Drake Hotel in Oakbrook before it closed in 2009. According to Moore, Mandel has prepared meals for celebrities around the world.

Tickets for the event are $18 in advance and $20 at the door, and can be purchased at Shanahan's or the VFW. There will be dinner settings at 6 and 7:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Woodridge VFW, Post 1578. Veterans will be helping to serve dinner, which includes a beer tasting.