Geneva committees join forces for wine fundraiser

Submitted by Natural Resources Committee

The Natural Resources Committee, in conjunction with the Western Avenue Get Up and Grow Committee, is hosting a fundraiser, “Wine, Cheese, and Trees,” from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St.

Wines will be served by Gibby’s Wine Den and be paired with cheese and chocolate from local merchants. There will be appetizers, live music, a wine wall, and numerous raffles and silent auction items to bid on, including a sports package of four Bulls tickets with parking and admittance to the Club Room restaurant.

The Natural Resources Committee will use its proceeds toward a new initiative called “Greening Geneva — A Reforestation Program for Our City Parkways.”

The reason for the initiative is that 2,800 ash trees in Geneva’s parkways will be removed over the next few years due to a devastating infestation called Emerald Ash Borer. The NRC has pledged to help rebuild the urban canopy of the city and this fundraiser is a first step toward that reforestation program.

The Western Avenue Get Up and Grow Committee will use its proceeds to continue building an edible garden at Western Avenue School. The garden was started in the spring of 2011 and has boasted an impressive harvest of pumpkins and gourds since its inception.

The garden is ready to have raised beds incorporated, a tool shed built, and artwork to enhance the space; they just need your help and donations.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Geneva History Center, the Chamber of Commerce, and through Western Avenue School’s website, www.geneva304.org/was. No city funds have been used to purchase alcohol for this event.

For more information, contact Jay Womack at jwomack@wrdenvironmental.com.