Geneva tree decoration contest raises funds for charity

The Geneva Academic Foundation won the first-ever Geneva Giving Trees contest.

And more than $1,400 was raised for local nonprofit agencies in the event at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St.

So Mary Bencini was pleased on two counts - as the history center board member who came up with the idea, and as a volunteer for the foundation.

"Even though this was my idea, I did not stuff the ballot box," she jokingly reassured representatives of other charities at the announcement ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

The foundation received 359 votes, and so got $359.

The rest of the money raised by each organization's tree was split 50-50 between the organization and the history center.

The organizations decorated their trees, which were on display Dec. 5 through Dec. 30, in themes representing their work.

For example, St. Peter Community Food Pantry made ornaments out of empty food boxes and cans, the Elderday Center featured photos of its clients, and the Geneva Green Market decorated with packages of seeds for heirloom plants such as Boothby's Blonde Cucumber and Noir des Carmes melon. There were signs and pamphlets explaining the work of each organization.

For $1, people could buy a ticket to place in ballot boxes by the trees. History center director Dave Oberg was especially touched to see some children who were clients of one of the organizations bring in a collection of pennies, nickels and dimes to donate.

"I almost cried," he said. Parents taught their children about the need to give to charity, and explained what the groups did, he said. "Your trees were nothing short of inspiring," he said.

Beyond raising money, Bencini and the museum volunteers wanted to raise awareness of the work the agencies do, and of their need for donations.

The project began last year when local Girl Scouts decorated trees in the museum. "They were so fabulous. (I thought) 'How can we get the trees decorated and get people into the museum and help the nonprofits?' I'm in a lot of things, and I'm very aware of how the nonprofits are doing," Bencini said.

The foundation provided $69,000 in aid this year to Geneva public schools and in college scholarships.

Other participating organizations were Glenwood School for Boys and Girls, Tri-City Health Partnership, the Fox River Chapter of the American Red Cross, Marklund, Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley, the Mothers Club of Geneva, Three Cups of Tea, the Salvation Army Golden Diners Service, Mutual Ground and the Rotary Club of Geneva. The Rotary Club decided to highlight the work of other local nonprofits: the American Cancer Society, Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and the Geneva Township Senior Center.