With “Giving Tuesday” coming up on the heels of Thanksgiving on December 2, I thought it’d be helpful to highlight local nonprofits and charitable organizations that make a difference here in the Tri-Cities area.

For anyone looking to give back, this should help narrow down your options and ensure that your donation or volunteer time goes directly toward helping neighbors and strengthening our community.

Want to suggest organizations to be featured? Do that here:

On a related note, the folks at the Rotary Club of Batavia were nice enough to host me at their weekly breakfast meeting on Tuesday.

Tim Sullivan, co-founder of the new nonprofit Furnish Forward, served as the guest presenter. Furnish Forward helps local individuals and families transition out of homelessness by fully furnishing their new apartments, turning otherwise bare spaces into comfortable, welcoming homes.

Read more about the organization and learn how you can contribute.

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Who doesn’t like a chance to get lucky — especially when you’re helping the community too? The Batavia Rotary Club’s 37th annual Grand Prize Drawing is right around the corner, and someone will walk away with $50,000 (or a brand-new car worth the same from Gerald Ford).

For nearly four decades, the Rotary raffle has powered local giving — with over $1 million donated to causes like the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association and more. Only 1,200 tickets are sold, so your odds may be better than you thought.

The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall.

☑️ Recycle those pumpkins: Geneva, St. Charles, and other Kane County communities will host Pumpkin Smash events on Saturday (11/8), giving residents a fun way to compost their pumpkins and keep them out of landfills.

☑️ Tax update: St. Charles officials approved a preliminary 3.99% property tax levy increase for 2025 to fund pensions and essential services, with a public hearing and final adoption set for December 1.

☑️ Voices on energy: Tri-Cities Clean Energy is hosting a November 13 community meeting as part of its Bright Future Batavia campaign to help residents understand and comment on the city’s new long-term energy plan before it’s finalized.

🔒 Abuse allegations: According to Shaw Local, a former member of Chapelstreet Church in Geneva has filed a lawsuit accusing the church, its interim pastor, and a former youth leader of sexual abuse and negligence.

☑️ Geneva gold: During Monday’s City Council meeting, Geneva officials honored local athlete Ben Bluemond for winning gold at the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships and proclaimed this week “Ben Bluemond Week” in his honor.

☑️ Winter market: The St. Charles Farmers Market has shifted to an indoor market for the season — every Friday, November through May, from 9AM to noon at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. They’ll offer a diverse selection of items with more added as the season goes on.

The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.

☑️ Passing the torch: After seven years in downtown Batavia, the owner of Paula’s Couture Consignment announced that she is passing ownership of the popular boutique to Amanda Mistretta in the new year. Read her message to the community.

☑️ Expanding a legacy: Volunteers and family members are restoring the historic garden behind the Beith House in St. Charles, now renamed Polly and Walker’s Memorial Garden. Learn about the late couple whose vision first brought it to life nearly four decades ago.

☑️ Courage & kindness: Batavia officials honored the late Batavia High School graduate Brice Worley with a city proclamation and the launch of a new scholarship foundation in his name.