Anti-drug vigil Sunday in Geneva

The annual Red Ribbon Week anti-drug abuse campaign in Geneva will wrap up with a candlelight vigil honoring all the children of Geneva at 7 p.m. Sunday at City Hall, 127 James St.

It will meet on the steps by the entrance to the city council chambers or, if it rains, inside the chambers. Participants should bring a candle and something to catch the melting wax.

"We are dedicated to kids who are making poor choices to get them back on track, and kids who are making the right choices," said Mary Lu O'Halloran, a member of the Red Ribbon Committee.

People of all ages are encouraged to attend.

The Geneva Red Ribbon Committee works for the healthy, drug-free and safe development of children. There have been activities at schools, including planting red tulips; souvenir ribbons, bookmarks and pencils distributed at public offices, including the police department and Geneva Park District facilities; and streetlight posts throughout downtown decorated with red plastic ribbons.

Speakers at the vigil will include Mayor Kevin Burns; Jerry Shaffer, pastor of The Well church, which worships at the Randall 15 IMAX theater in Batavia; state Rep. Tim Schmitz of the 49th District; Drug Enforcement Agency agent Mark Warpness; Anne Meyers, chairman of Pray for the Children International, an anti-drug abuse group; Chic Williams, prevention and intervention specialist for Geneva schools; Kent Mutchler, Geneva schools superintendent; and students from Geneva High School, Geneva middle schools North and South and St. Peter Catholic School.

O'Halloran said the vigil is like the community wrapping its arms around all of its children.

"There are not bad kids, but kids who are making poor choices," she said. And the vigil says "way to go" to those avoiding illicit alcohol and drug use: "You are going to save yourself some grief down the road," she said.