Tri-Cities briefs

Polar Express at Blackberry:

You can jump aboard the Polar Express train during the first two weekends of December at Aurora's Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road. The decorated train will run continuously around Lake Gregory from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 12 and 13. Holiday music will play during the event, "The Polar Express" will be read at the schoolhouse, and Santa will meet youngsters at the Early Streets Museum. Admission to the Polar Express is $3 for Aurora residents and $5 for others. For details, call (630) 892-1550.

Helping those in need:

Fox Valley United Way is seeking partners to help provide holiday gifts for area children and families in need. Businesses, community groups, families and individuals can adopt an individual or family. Send checks payable to Fox Valley United Way to 40 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506. People can also purchase a gift card from a local grocery store to help provide a holiday meal, or drop off an unwrapped gift at the United Way office by Dec. 10. Call (630) 896-4636.

Marklund seeks donations:

Donations for Marklund's annual Giving Tree drive can be dropped off through Dec. 11 at two locations: Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, or Marklund Philip Center for Children, 164 S. Prairie, Bloomingdale. Marklund is a nonprofit network of services for infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. Giving Tree cards are created for each resident with a brief bio and three gift suggestions. Donors take a card and purchase one or more wish items and return them, wrapped, to Marklund. New this year, donors also can support day-to-day expenses, such as electric, gas and water bills. Donors also may give items from Marklund's general wish list, located at marklund.org. For details, call Cathy Nikrandt at (630) 593-5468 or Stevie Armbruster at (630) 593-5473.

Win tea party:

Raffle tickets for a Victorian high tea for 12 at the historic Davis House on Batavia Avenue in Geneva are being sold to raise money for the Geneva History Center. The tea party may be held any Monday in March. Tickets are $5 each, or five for $20, through Dec. 27. Tickets are sold at the center, 113 S. Third St. The drawing is at 4 p.m. Dec. 29. Visit genevahistorycenter.org.