Take part in candlelight vigil for Red Ribbon Week
If history holds, it will be freezing tonight for the "Pray for the Children" candlelight vigil, which will take place at 7 p.m. on the steps of Geneva city hall.
But don't let that keep you away. The vigil is a wonderful event, held annually as part of Geneva's observance of Red Ribbon Week.
Our family has attended the vigil many times over the years. It never fails to be a chilly night. (I do note that organizers say if the weather is bad, the event will be held in the council chambers. And the forecast is for extremely mild weather, which is great news.)
It also never fails to be inspiring.
The vigil is just one part of Red Ribbon Week, which this year has the theme "Dream it, Be it, Drug-Free/Look at me, I'm Drug-Free."
Students at Geneva High School and Geneva Middle School were planning to spend a chunk of Saturday tying red ribbons on trees, lamp posts and bridge posts in downtown Geneva. The ribbons were provided by students involved with the Students Against Destructive Decisions group at GHS.
For the vigil, participants are asked to bring their own candles with something to catch the wax, such as a paper cup or the cut-out center of a paper plate.
Speakers hopefully will include a recent graduate of Kane County's Drug Court.
"It's inspiring to hear someone who's been engulfed in unhealthy behaviors and come out on the other side," said David Emigh of Geneva, who, along with his wife, Cristina, is leading the city's Red Ribbon campaign this year.
Other speakers include the Rev. Bill Obalil, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Geneva; Mayor Kevin Burns; Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti; and Tom Cole, a GHS teacher who helps with the SADD group.
Participants also include the Emighs, plus Nico Casasanto and Julia Pfetzer of the SADD group; Alderman Bill Barclay, chairman of the city's Mental Health Board; Geneva School District 304 Superintendent Kent Mutchler; speakers from the two middle schools; Maggie Bailey, an eighth-grader at St. Peter's School; and Chic Williams, Geneva's intervention specialist.
Here are some other Red Ribbon events this week:
• "Pizza Palooza" is an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Geneva Community Center, 710 Western Ave. Reservations are required by calling Geneva Park District at 232-4542. The evening includes family entertainment. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Geneva schools are holding food drives this week to benefit St. Peter's Catholic Church's food pantry. Elementary schools are also participating in a number of individual activities throughout the week. Past activities have included launching red balloons and planting red tulips.
• Students at all grade levels will spend Saturday morning making a difference at Geneva RiverPark, by grooming the park. Organizers hope at least two families from each elementary school will help, along with at least four families from the two middle schools and Geneva High School.
• Oct. 29 is the final day of Red Ribbon Week, and "Wellness Begins at Home" is the theme for the day. Organizers hope families will select something fun to do together, enjoying each other's company and building memories at the same time.
"No matter how wonderful the community you live in, unfortunately drugs, alcohol and other unhealthy behaviors are present," said Emigh, who grew up in Geneva.
"You can turn your head, or you can take an active role and say, 'what can we do, as a community?' "
He likes the idea of working together to encourage young people to make healthy choices and, very importantly, to be there to help these young people if they stumble.
This year's community effort has begun. It continues tonight with the vigil. Remember, it looks like this year, unlike years past, warm gloves and coats may not be required.
Warm hearts? They'll be there in spades.
bbales10@ameritech.net