Santa's Elves Pose as BWC Members to Decorate Tree on Batavia Christmas Tree Lane

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Several elves, short and tall , disguised as BWC members descended upon the bare BWC evergreen tree on the east shore of the depot pond. Less than a hour later, it was transformed into a patriotic themed tree.

Red, white and blue stars told the story of the many charities the BWC has helped over the years. Small American flags were attached to its many branches, shining in the sun on this warmer day. The breeze sending the flags into motion, made the little tree look as if it came to life… waving its flags to show its own American pride!

The elves also brought their favorite basic food groups: hot chocolate, peppermint sticks and chocolate candy. It was also observed that some elves may have been spiking the cocoa, but these reports cannot be confirmed. There was also holiday music creating a festive atmosphere, causing some of the elves to dance!

Several BWC members arrived to carefully manage the elf activity. BWC thanks them for their oversight and “elfen” care: Patti Condon for providing the elves with the patriotic theme and decor; Bobbi Von Lunen for suggesting we create a theme; Cindy Cannella for organizing the elves, and fellow elf-like members, Rosemary Henders, Marsha Sikkema and her friend Karla Kuipers, Nan Phillips, Sandra Jelm and Cynthia Kieckhefer.

The tree was topped with a “masked-up” Santa to help “spread” the message of self and community care and “not to spread” the virus!

The BWC tree is #12 and can be found on the east shore of the depot pond just beyond the playground by the Peg Bond Center.

Elf helpers.

Beautiful depot pond

Securing those flags in the breeze

The elves sure did create a pretty tree! Come out to #12, The BWC tree!

The BWC wishes everyone a safe, happy and joyful holiday season. Here’s to a healthy and happy America for all!

Ravinia In Our Backyard: A Fundraiser for the Batavia Food Pantry Sept. 2020

A Musical Afternoon to Help the Batavia Food Pantry

Submitted by Cynthia Kieckhefer, The Batavia Woman’s Club

Many people in our community are in need for the first time because of the COVID-19 pandemic and, at the same time, all of us who want to help find it difficult because of the measures in place to rein in this disease. What to do?

Last month, the creative ladies of the Batavia Woman's Club (BWC) figured out a solution that not only helped out the hard-pressed Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry but also resulted in a rollicking good time for club members.

One of the members, Nancy Nanke, has a huge -- really huge! -- backyard AND a very musical son, Matthew, who is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. Why not enlist Matthew to provide a "Ravinia In Our Backyard" concert and sell tickets for $25 each? The idea grew to include 50/50 raffle tickets, drawings for some good vino and Disney World passes and outright donations.

Bingo. The weather cooperated beautifully,  ------- people brought lawn chairs and munchies and a little more than two hours later, the Food Pantry had $2,000 it never expected. Another win-win for the Batavia Woman's Club, which once again validated its 126-year history of service to the community. Oh, and having a good time together.

 The help came just in time, too.

The Food Pantry is a big focus for the club and, after talking to Executive Director Eileen Pasero, the growing need facing many families in our community became starkly clear. So did the likelihood that, with winter and the holidays approaching, benefits being diminished or ending, the need will grow. It also became clear the pandemic challenged the pantry in more ways than creating more hunger for its local families.

The pantry normally gets “rescue foods” from surrounding grocery stores. Rescue foods are perishable foods reaching expiration dates, so they have to be consumed quickly or frozen. When the pandemic first hit, shoppers flocked to grocery stores in greater numbers, buying up greater-than-usual amounts of perishable items. That left considerably less to give the pantry. The pantry also buys food product from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which also relies heavily on donations and overages. The increase in grocery store consumption decreased the available product of that supply, too.

And now as stimulus checks get spent, and SNAP benefits decrease (SNAP is the government program that provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food), the need will rise. Also, as the colder days arrive, there will be less work for those serving restaurants and other businesses which have enjoyed the business brought by warmer weather.

 The pantry serves between 300 and 400 families a month, and it is seeing three to four new families every week. The pantry uses the motto, “When you have time, please volunteer. When you have extra, please share. When you are in need, please come.”

The spirit of this motto could not be more relevant and meaningful than with the example of one local family. Eileen spoke of a family, two parents, embarrassed by their first ever, and sudden need to find a way to feed their three children.  Illness and joblessness caused by the pandemic hit this family hard and fast. Thankfully, they humbly accepted the pantry’s help. Later they received a stimulus check and also found work. They returned with payment to the pantry to pay back what they received.

“The BWC is so motivated to help the pantry. Our community is so very fortunate to help those that need our help. And how rewarding it is to help those who help themselves!" said Cynthia Kieckhefer of the BWC, one of the many organizers of "Ravinia In Our Backyard."

“When you have time, please volunteer. When you have extra, please share. When you are in need, please come.”

The BWC adds, "When you can't think of a way to help, think again!"

Go to www.bataviafoodpantry.org, or www.bataviawomansclub.org/batavia-interfaith-food-pantry to make a donation.

Batavia Woman's Club raises $40,000 for two nonprofits at annual fashion show

Submitted by Batavia Woman’s Club

Updated 1/21/2020 1:26 PM

The Batavia Woman's Club marks its biggest profit yet from their annual fashion show and luncheon Nov. 2.

The $20,000 charitable gift was presented to Michelle Meyer, executive director and Kathy Melone, advancement director of Mutual Ground.

Mutual Ground serves adult and child survivors of domestic and sexual violence in their pursuit of safety and healing. For individuals needing information and support, counselors are available on the 24-hour crisis hotline or in person at offices in Aurora, Batavia, and Yorkville. Individual and group counseling are available in English and Spanish, at no cost to participants.

In any given year, Mutual Ground provides services to approximately 1,500 survivors, about 400 of which are children. Additionally, 40,000 students in 104 schools are provided prevention education about sexual abuse and assault.

Another gift of $20,000 was presented to Stephanie Austin, founder and executive director of Rise From the Ashes which provides free and low-cost legal services to financially struggling women trying to navigate marital and custodial issues in order to escape domestic violence. It serves Kane and neighboring counties.

Three hundred and seventy area residents attended the Batavia Woman's Club 11th annual luncheon and charity event in November at the Q Center in St. Charles.

"We are thrilled by the overwhelming support of our friends, family and community. Every year, we have more guests, more donated items for auction, more raffle baskets, and make more money for these important and vital charities. And we have more fun in the whole process!," said Cynthia Kieckhefer, event chairwoman. "I think this year the children on our runway stole the show! Our little burgeoning models were sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters. And were they happy to be up there, dancing and striking poses!"

According to Kieckhefer, the event has evolved into a blend of fun, fashion and philanthropy. The club has placed a special focus on these two charities.

"Mutual Ground has been filling its beds all year. It has opened an office in Batavia as well. As our club organized this event, talked to people in our community, solicited auction items, we were shocked at the incidence of domestic violence around nearly every turn we took," Kieckhefer said. "Domestic abuse is such a hidden problem, and the Batavia Woman's Club together with Mutual Ground is bound and determined to keep our community talking about this."

"Rise From the Ashes provides literally lifesaving legal help for women who can't afford to hire attorneys to help them sever the ties that bind them to domestic abusers. Stephanie Austin started this organization after her own firsthand experience. What a brave and generous young women. The club is so happy to have found her and her good work," Kieckhefer said.

The evening featured a surprise flash mob, a DJ, husbands in tuxedos selling tickets, and raffle baskets and silent auction items. Fashions were provided by Batavia's Special Occasions on the Avenue, Paula's Couture Consignment and Six + Cypress, Geneva's Flair on 3rd, Liz and Kate, and the Little Traveler and St. Charles' Directions in Clothing.

"Our models were ladies, gentlemen and children from all over the Fox Valley. We had one club member model her 'mother of the groom' dress while her daughter showed off her gorgeous bridal gown. This family was a hit and had fun reliving their family wedding experience on our runway," Kieckhefer said. "We also had a Scottish kilted son of another club member, with his wife and daughter wearing Indian saris from their time spent in India. I really hope and believe that anyone who attends our event has a good time and feels the good will and vibe in the room. Happy people having a good time will be more generous. And that is what we aim for, a win-win all the way around."

To request services from Mutual Ground call (630) 897-0080 or the business office at (630) 897-0084 for information. For more on Rise From the Ashes, visit rfta.co.

Batavia Woman's Club joins hands to benefit two local charities

Batavia Woman’s Club submission

Posted 10/2/2019 1:53 PM

As the Batavia Woman's Club looks forward to its fashion show and charity event next month in St. Charles, it's drawing inspiration from the actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn.

"As you grow older, you will find you discover that you have two hands -- one for yourself, the other for helping others," Hepburn said.

"The BWC loves this simple quote from this beloved actress. It's one we use all the time," said Cynthia Kieckhefer, chairman of this year's 11th annual Fall Into Fashion luncheon and fashion show to raise money for the charities Rise From the Ashes and Mutual Ground.

"It reveals, in its quiet way, that when you recognize your own strength, and help yourself first, then you are capable of helping others. This combination of empowerment and goodwill is what drives our philanthropic organization.

Kieckhefer said the club has discovered a need in its own community. "Statistics report one in every five women has been abused by someone they trust. But yet, it seemed impersonal until we heard about these two local charities and talked to victims of domestic violence," she said. "These are women and children in our own neighborhoods."

Mutual Ground, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, opened an office in Batavia. And that shelter has been beyond capacity all summer.

A few years ago, club members heard a woman speak of her vicious husband whom she was able to finally divorce with the aid of a benevolent attorney. This woman and her attorney formed a charity to help others called Rise from the Ashes.

The club's luncheon and fashion show will be on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Q Center, 1405 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles, Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $60 for adults and $30 for children and are available at www.bataviawomansclub.org/events. All proceeds will go to the two charities.

"We have learned so much about these victims through our affiliation with these two charities," Kieckhefer said. "While we need sponsorship and donations from businesses to help us host a fun, entertaining, and profitable event, we all need to do our part.

"We all need to talk about this quiet and hidden scourge. Fear is placed in these victims by their abusers. These women and children become more isolated, cut off from support or help. Isolation saps their emotional strength and creates a feeling of hopelessness. Abused women and children become so humiliated, they learn to hide."

Club members believe if people talk about the supportive services in their community, the increased awareness will help victims of domestic abuse who do not know about the available resources.

"Our club has found real momentum unifying behind this cause. This year we revamped our website with a new and progressive look as well," Kieckhefer said. "We need to give our community an easy way to see what this club does for our community."