Dream leads to 50/50 raffle of Harley-Davidson

After her husband died in January, Jan Dudley had a dream. From her dream came the idea to donate her husband’s 2006 Harley-Davidson to the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 with the stipulation that the Elks would give it away in a 50/50 raffle.

Dudley’s husband, Jerry, passed away Jan. 22, at the age of 70. The two met in 1976, and began dating on Labor Day weekend. Their dating lasted for 37 years, finally leading to marriage in 2013.

In the beginning of their relationship, they called each other every Thursday while she was living in Columbia, Md., and he in Glen Burnie, Md., to discuss the events of their week and to plan dinner, which they had together every Saturday. When asked why it took so long for the two to get married, Dudley said with a smile, “I wanted to be sure.” 

Dudley’s dream led to a 50/50 raffle, with each ticket selling for $100 - one per household. The proceeds were then donated; $5,000 was given to the veterans committee, which helps support veterans in the area, including Home of the Brave in Milford, and $5,000 was given to the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge building fund. 

Jon Faubler, an avid motorcycle rider, was in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for Myrtle Beach Bike Week when he received the news that he had won the raffle. Being a member of the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge for only a few months, he was ecstatic. “Nineteen friends and I go every year [to bike week],” Faubler said, “and I am the only one without a Harley.”

Thanks to Jan Dudley, that has now changed. Faubler is a manager at J.B. Hunt Transport in Cambridge, Md.