The Geneva Chamber of Commerce serves all Geneva businesses, helps bring business to the city and supports all aspects of economic and community development.
To the general public and throughout the Chicago area, the chamber is probably best known for its festivals. The four big events of the year are: Swedish Days in June, Geneva Arts Fair in July, Festival of the Vine in September and Christmas Walk in December.
"We've always been a city of festivals," Chamber of Commerce President Jean Gaines said. "And we've worked very hard to produce quality events that generate positive publicity, attract visitors, generate sales taxes and bring the community together."
The chamber also serves as the city's convention and tourism bureau and does advertising, promotions, historic tours, grant writing, prints the Geneva Tourism Guide and coordinates programs with other tourism agencies.
Chamber members receive scores of benefits and networking opportunities—from database management to e-mail blasts to seminars to coordinating holiday decorations. Business expos, referral leads, an annual golf outing, classic car shows, a gift-certificate program, the Soundings newsletter, merchant alerts and seminars are just a few of the offerings.
Since 1986, Sharing Connections has been helping families who are unable to help themselves at the time. Providing furniture for those who need, Sharing Connections bridges the gap between those who have stuff to give and those who would do well to receive. Since 2001, Sharing Connections has been servicing the community from its current location in Downers Grove.
Temple Chai is a Reform Jewish synagogue and community center. In addition to its regular Shabbat services, the organization offers various programs throughout the year for members of all ages. This temple conducts religious instruction for its congregation members from pre-kindergarten to adult level.
Temple Chai's rooms and facilities are available for special event rental. A special event guide is available for download on the temple's website. Those interested in throwing an event are advised to contact the facility and events coordinator.
The North Shore is home to one of the oldest and largest animal shelters in the country. Orphans of the Storm, located on Riverwoods Road, is an oasis for stray and abandoned dogs and cats. The shelter's grounds are lush with vegetation, and the volunteers couldn't be more inviting and passionate about their work there. Unfortunately, these animals can't stay here forever. The shelter adopts out thousands of dogs and cats and is always looking to provide them with new loving homes.
Goodwill is a renowned resale store dedicated to helping those in need, and to making a positive impact on the community. This location on Rand Rd. has a wide variety of used and donated merchandise, including clothing, dishes and housewares, stereos, TVs, home decor items, and more.
The Divine Word Gift Shop is located on the Divine World Campus. It sells books, statues, holy cards and a multitude of pictures, rosaries and angelic items. It's easy to find gifts here for holy communion or other special events.
The Oak View Community Center is located on a tree-filled campus on the east side of Oak Lawn. Its field house contains many museum-quality nature displays of the area's early history, as well exhibits of sea creatures, animals, shells, rocks and minerals.
The center offers a diverse selection of programming, including art classes, fitness, recreation programs and pre-school classes.
The Oak Lawn Community Theater is also stationed at Oak View, staging four critically-acclaimed family musicals per year in a newly renovated gymnasium complete with stadium seating.
Rooms in the community center are available for rental for private parties. The center also has chairs and tables available for rentals. Room rentals range in price from $25-$59 per hour and can accommodate private parties of up to 200 people.
The outdoor park grounds include a baseball field, picnic grounds, playground and a sand volleyball court.
Residents can also register for park district programs at Oak View.
Silver Lake Country Club has been family owned and operated since 1927. The public country club has three golf courses and offers several other activities, including racquetball and whirly ball. The expansive club grounds include beautiful and well-maintained gardens. Silver Lake Country Club has spacious banquet halls, which are available for private events, such as weddings, and offer great views of the club grounds.
Windy Acres farm is open year-round and offers a variety of services and activities for every season. The fresh farm stand is open from spring until the end of fall, and in winter Windy Acres delivers firewood to residents' homes. Also, don't miss the Windy Acres Fall Festival.
The most popular food sold on the farm is tomatoes, followed closely by fresh watermelon and green peppers. Other options are homemade jam, cider and honey. During the Fall Festival, attractions include a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a spook house and a petting zoo.
