One of the nice ways to celebrate the season of giving is to drop by the Geneva History Center and make a donation (or donations) to your favorite charity’s giving tree.

For the last seven years, the museum has offered local charities the opportunity to spread the word about their organization by decorating a Christmas tree. The winning organization keeps 100 percent of the funds pledged to support their tree. The remaining organizations split the winnings with the museum.

Visit the Geneva History Museum located at 113 S. Third St. in Geneva to vote for your favorite tree with your dollars. Voting started on Nov. 25 and goes through Dec. 23.  The Geneva Museum sells tickets for $1, so people can vote for their favorite not-for-profit’s tree.

It’s not just a splendid way to spend time during the Friday, Dec. 5, Christmas Walk in Geneva. Now you can vote for your favorite tree (and favorite charity) online as well.

Here are a list of the local nonprofits that are involved.

CASA Kane County

For 26 years CASA Kane County’s volunteers have advocated for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system.  In 2013, 258 volunteers advocated for 552 children. Volunteers gather important information in order to make recommendations to the judge for what is in the child’s best interest for a safe, caring, and permanent home.

Cub Scout Pack 111

Exploring, hiking, learning, camping, building, caring for the environment and community around them; these are all activities that Cub Scouts do, and more!  Pack 111’s provides a family-oriented environment where boys can build character and learn practical life skills while enjoying time with friends in a caring and structured setting.

Ecker Center for Mental Health

Founded in 1955, the Ecker Center for Mental Health provides professional outpatient mental health services for adults and youth that include psychiatry, nursing, 24/7 crisis response and individual and group therapy.  Other adult services include an intensive outpatient, rehabilitation, case management, and various supervised and supported residential options.

The Exchange Club of the Tri-Cities

Exchange, America’s Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and Prevention of Child Abuse. The Tri–Cities Exchange Club chapter meets every Tuesday morning, 7am, at Colonial Café West, St. Charles. www.tcexchangeclub.com

Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice

Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice is a community-based, nonprofit organization serving those with life-threatening illnesses and those who have lost loved ones. In addition to one-on-one support, the agency also offers medical equipment loans, adult and children’s grief support groups, community education on end-of-life care and grief, and a community lending library. Spanish interpretation for all programs is available. All services are provided free of charge. For more information, see www.fvvh.org.

Geneva Kiwanis Club Serving the Children of the World

WHO DO WE HELP? Delnor Ortho Kids Aquatic Exercise Program, Lazarus House, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Local Salvation Army services, Sponsor Key Club at Geneva High School, Special Park District events, Glenwood School, Tri-City Services. HOW DO WE DO THIS? Dedicated local volunteers, Peanut Days, Bowl-a-thons, Partner with service-minded youth at Geneva High School.

Geneva Women’s Club

Geneva Women’s Club is a philanthropic organization of committed volunteers dedicated to giving back to our community.  We fund organizations and programs that provide education, enrichment and essential services to local residents with particular focus on those groups that serve women and families.  We also raise money for scholarships and support community groups through hands on service.  Through these efforts we forge relationships with each other and with those we serve.

Geneva Girl Scouts

In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls working together through many experiences, including field trips, sports, community service, and environmental stewardship.  Geneva has nearly 500 Girl Scouts from Kindergarten through High School and over 120 adult volunteers, all working together to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

The Joshua Tree Community

The Joshua Tree Community (JTC) focuses on intertwining meaningful activities to add purposeful dimensions to adults with intellectual disabilities.  JTC is a structured day program, fulfilling a community need and also provides respite services/training to caregivers.  JTC is based at St. Mark’s Church, located in the heart of downtown Geneva.

The Lazarus House

Lazarus House Presents … Gifts of the Heart Tree

Lazarus House is fortunate to have many people throughout the Tri-Cities who generously give of their time, talents, emotional and financial support.  These supports are greatly appreciated.  Our tree is a thank you to all special people who help Lazarus House throughout the year with their love and support. Sponsored by the Geneva East Book Club and Geneva High School SADD Club.

Marklund

Marklund makes everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities.

Services encompass a full realm of human needs including: medical care, residential facilities, specialized therapies, educational and day services, volunteer respite care training, and early intervention programs. Volunteer opportunities available. Learn more by visiting www.marklund.org.

Mutual Ground

Mutual Ground is the safe place where people come together to break the cycle of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Located in Aurora, Illinois, Mutual Ground serves the Greater Aurora area, Southern Kane and all of Kendall County. We answer almost 2,000 calls for help each and every month with 24-hour hotlines staffed by trained Mutual Ground Crisis Intervention Advocates.

We provide a safety net of services and ongoing support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. We also proactively reach out to first responders, healthcare professionals, students and the community at large with educational programs centering on awareness and prevention, free of charge with support from grants, churches, civic groups, corporate and individual donors.

The purple ribbons on the tree represent victims of domestic violence and the teal ribbons represent victims of sexual violence.

Suicide Prevention Services

Suicide Prevention Services is a non-profit organization located in Batavia. We work to save lives and restore hope through suicide prevention, intervention and postvention, using education, advocacy and collaboration. Our services include a 24/7 crisis hotline, free depression screening, on-site counseling, support groups and training seminars designed to equip community members to recognize suicide warning signs and intervene to restore hope.

TriCity Family Services

For nearly 50 years, TriCity Family Services (TCFS) has been Kane County’s leading provider of counseling and other mental health services to clients of all ages and all income levels. Our experienced team of professional therapists provides the residents of central Kane County and other neighboring Chicagoland communities with counseling, family-based treatment for eating disorders, prevention and early intervention workshops, and employee assistance programs. TCFS is committed to helping our clients strengthen themselves, their families, and their communities. www.tricityfamilyservicesorg. (630) 232-1070