2 chances to help vets, servicemen Saturday in Palatine

Saturday, Nov. 7, offers two different opportunities to help military families and veterans.

From noon to 6 p.m., the fifth annual Vet Fest fundraiser takes place at Duffy's Sports Pub, 2070 N. Rand Road, at the corner of Hicks Road in the Caputo's Market Center in Palatine.

There will be silent and live auctions, and raffle drawings start at 1:30 p.m. Items offered include sports memorabilia, gift certificates, rounds of golf and beer brand merchandise.

There is no admission fee, but funds raised through the auctions and raffles are used to purchase comfort items like T-shirts and socks for patients at the VA Great Lakes Health Care System's North Chicago VA Medical Center.

For details, call the pub at (847) 991-0002.

Later Saturday, at 7 p.m., a benefit concert for military families takes place at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School, 200 N. Plum Grove Road in Palatine.

The Rejoice Singers will present the musical, "Our Flag Was Still There," a multimedia presentation. Th evening also includes performances by a children's choir and Immanuel's adult choir. A chaplain who recently returned from service in Iraq will also be participating.

The event, sponsored by Lutheran Church Charities, based in Addison, is open to the public and free, but any goodwill donations raised will be used to support U.S. military families.

For further details, call the church at (847) 359-1549.