The Auxiliary of Rhine VFW Post 2729, 5858 S. Archer Ave., held its annual Penny Social fundraiser on Sunday, March 2.
“It’s one of the largest fundraisers for the auxiliary,” Auxiliary President Michael Maruszak said.
“We have just about everything but books,” he added. “We get books, but donate those elsewhere for people to enjoy free of charge.”
Attendees browsed tables throughout the hall, placing tickets in bags next to the items they hoped to win.
Diane Penczak, a past auxiliary president, said members and the community look forward to the event each year.
“We have been doing this for at least 40 years on the first Sunday of March,” she said. “It’s one of our biggest events. Money raised goes toward programs we put on at the post. We have great people who donate items. There’s a wide variety, except for clothes and shoes—we don’t take those. We don’t have a lot of room to store items, so we start collecting donations a month prior.”
Each envelope of tickets cost $1 and could be used for items in the 5-cent, 10-cent, and 25-cent categories. A mystery raffle, a longtime favorite, kept shoppers guessing what was inside the bags.
The next Penny Social is set for the first Sunday of March 2026.
When is the next penny social? Please contact me.