Luck be a lady Thursday night

The Dixon VFW is proud to serve its community, and members are getting some help from Her Highness in Hiding

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

DIXON — When it comes to Thursday nights in Dixon, VFW Post 540 is the place to be.

From the delicious food to the friendly faces and conversations that fill the room, there’s a lot to enjoy at Post 540 — just ask the friends and neighbors who drop in for a visit — but there’s also another reason they pack the Post: a lady decked out in royal garb who wants to put some money in people’s pockets.

The weekly Queen of Hearts fundraiser has been drawing people in for a chance to win big since 2016, not only giving customers something to look forward to, but helping the VFW and the community.

More info

VFW Post 540

1560 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon 815-288-5165

Online: Go to https://vfw540.org or Find “Dixon VFW Post 540” on Facebook

The Queen of Hearts is a progressive raffle. The game begins with 54 cards, under which nestle all four suits plus the two jokers found in a standard deck of playing cards. People buy tickets, and on the back of each one, they put their name, phone number, and the number under which they think the queen is lurking. Each week, the tickets are put in a barrel and if the winning ticket also has the correct card, the holder wins the pot.

If no one gets the correct card, another drawing is held the next week, and the pot continues to grow — and it’s grown pretty big.

“We’ve had two jackpots of over $300,000 that have gone to local winners,” says Melissa Spangler, Post Commander. Spangler took up her role as commander in July 2019 after serving the previous two years as Quarter Master in charge of the post’s finances. According to local records she is the first female commander for the post. Originally from California, Spangler joined the Army in 2003 in the Medical Services Corp. She was deployed to Iraq twice as well as stationed in Germany and San Antonio.

Her husband, also a veteran, brought her back to his hometown of Dixon and the two became involved in the VFW Post. For the Spanglers, the VFW is more than just a place to serve others and the community, it’s a way for them to enjoy the kind of camaraderie they found during their time in the service.

“This gives us a sense of belonging,” Spangler says. “I was looking for a sense of camaraderie and I found it with my brothers in arms. There are some great individuals and this is a great group.”

To play ...

Queen of Heats tickets cost $5 for six and are available at VFW Post 540 from 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday until closing time, which depends on events and attendance.

Drawings normally are held Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 7:25 p.m. The winner, who need not be present at the drawing, will get 70 percent of the pot. Of the remaining 30 percent, half goes to charity and the club keeps the rest.

It’s also a group that has worked hard to renovate the building to make it more inviting, whether you’re just stopping by for a drink or your renting a room. From the bright ceiling tiles to the bathroom updates, the building’s event space has a fresh new look. The new 75-inch television is great for watching sports or to play a slide show.

Spangler says there’s still more to be done, but thanks to the raffle the post can continue with updates and fixes.

The raffle has also provided a way for the VFW members to give back to the community, with more than $220,000 given to charities since the raffle started. This includes supporting organizations such as the PADS Shelter and the local Shop with a Sheriff program, to name a few.

“It’s not just helping veterans, it’s helping our community because our veterans live in our community,” Spangler said.

While the raffle has helped bring more people through the VFW’s doors, none of it would be possible without the incredible work of its members who volunteer, and the Auxiliary members who help with the kitchen — and are known for making tempting desserts.

So whether it’s the lure of $1.25 domestic drafts on Tuesday or the jovial sense of community and excitement over a chance to win the Queen of Hearts raffle on a Thursday, Spangler invites everyone to stop in and join the fun.

“These are all great guys and it’s a great organization,” Spangler said. “It’s an organization I’m proud to be a part of.”