'Last Call Before Fall' organizers thank community for successful event
The cloudy skies and rain couldn't stop the first "Last Call Before Fall."
The September community festival in Mill Creek, hosted by Rejoice Lutheran Church, raised $1,500 for Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity and $100 for Starfish Pet Rescue.
"We are so thankful and blessed to have raised funds for Habitat and Starfish through sponsorships, donations and raffle ticket purchases," said Robin Beattie, event organizer.
"On behalf of Rejoice's 'Last Call Before Fall' planning committee, we'd like to thank everyone who attended, and all our sponsors, donors, vendors and volunteers," Beattie said. "The festival was a success due to their generous support, their time and talents."
Thank you to the following vendors: Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles and Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park for the beer and wine tent; Affordable Party Tent Rentals in St. Charles for the staging and large tents; Bounce Town in Oswego for the inflatables; Jaynesway Farms in Bartlett for the ponies and petting zoo; Ken Mate for entertaining children with puppets and magic, and Terry Mate for face painting; food vendors including Dave's Slow Food, Bernie's Bully Dogs, Jersey Mike's, Kona Ice, Crave Bar and Toasty Taco; Splinters Axe Throwing in St. Charles; and cover band Recycle The Day for keeping the energy high by playing popular hits all afternoon.
Other sponsors and donors included: OnPath Financial, Vivint Solar, Koawood Coffee, Bill Cho's Taekwondo, The Herrington Inn & Spa, All Chocolate Kitchen, Synergy Strength Training and Marche Provence.
Rejoice also is appreciative of Sanctuary Church in Batavia for use of their Gaga Ball pit and for providing shuttle service to the event, and Shodeen Group for allowing use of the space north of Rejoice, and the Mill Creek Golf Club parking lot for overflow parking.
A special thanks to the Mill Creek community for supporting the festival including the following Mill Creek residents, who own local businesses that sponsored the event: Tony and Fran Maurer of Fox Valley Show Homes Home Staging; Jeff and Julie Martin of KDM Investment Management; Jeff and Heidi Cadwallader, and Terry and Jeanne Cadwallader of The Cadwallader Group real estate; Jim and Cindy Cannella of Orange Home Services; Chrissy Sommers of Families on the Fox; Kate Glod, Agent - Re/Max All Pro; and Gus and Joanne Pagonis and Al and Kathy Gibson of The Pub Maple Park.
Additionally, the following Mill Creek businesses provided sponsorships, including Mike Ulaszek, financial advisor for Edward Jones; Mill Creek Dental; and Shodeen Group.
And last, but not least, thank you to Mill Creek Neighborhood Watch communicators who distributed festival door hanger invitations.
"'Last Call Before Fall' was truly a community effort, and, as a result, it brought the community together to enjoy engaging and fun activities for all ages," said Mike Willis, director of ministry operations.
"Making connections with one another is what we strive for at Rejoice, as we provide a safe, loving and inclusive space to explore our faith and offer many programs for all members of the family to do so."
Save the day for next year's Last Call Before Fall Sept. 13, 2020.
In the meantime, visit www.rejoicegeneva.org to learn more about ways to connect, including "Oasis," a weekly gathering for the whole family to find a healthy balance in your lives, through sharing a meal, worship and small groups. "Oasis" kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 18.