Auxiliary holds annual turkey raffle

By LAYLA KALINEN
Eagle Times Staff
SPRINGFIELD, VT — On Thursday, Nov. 16, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 771 located at 191 River Street held its annual turkey raffle complete with homemade chowder and sandwiches.

According to Yvonne Smith, VFW Auxiliary treasurer, membership is required by relation, specifically parents, grandparents, siblings or spouses, being a military veteran.

Smith said there were 20 rounds to the raffle and participants paid $1 to spin the wheel for a chance to win a turkey, and again to try and win a kielbasa ring.

“We work together to get the job done and we never know exactly what to expect but we are always ready for however many people show up,” Smith said, who joined the auxiliary in honor of her father at 16.

She explained that the money they raise at the raffle, as well as their Monday night early bird bingo, all goes to their philanthropic endeavors that include college scholarships.

As far as preparation for the night, Smith said the Auxiliary runs it on the fly.

“We also run the concession stand, as well,” she said. “It takes a bunch of us to run it. We all go out and pick up the turkeys; supplies for our free dinner at the raffle. As far as guessing how many we are serving? We just wing it.”