Fox Valley Patriotic Association—The perfect gift

some time for a trip around our downtown area where Christmas will hopefully be evident in every direction as a means of celebrating a very special day on the calendar year, Dec. 25.

Not to be forgotten, it is with extreme pride that I can report that for the 70th straight year in a row our annual Christmas toy distribution program will take place. The Batavia Access Toy Drive assists less fortunate families in Batavia with Christmas gifts for their children. The program got started back in 1950 by the late Batavia Fire Chief F. C. “Bud” Firefighters Bill Thrun (sitting on truck) and Fred Womack (standing) test some of Richter with the assistance of the the toys they’ve repaired in 1951. Batavia Rotary Club. Firemen collected broken bicycles, of Roy and Jeannie Baily, along with Rudy and Marilyn toy trucks, games and dolls which needed some repair. Dubis, their families and numerous friends. If you are Chief Richter and members of the fire department so inclined, personal donations in the form of financial would make the repairs at the work benches by the contributions or delivery of new toys in sealed boxes rear of the firehouse on S. Island Ave. Several women’s can be left at either of the Batavia fire stations or at the groups in town also volunteered to make and repair front desk at the city government center. dolls and provide new clothes for each doll. When Chief There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Richter retired he estimated that over 2,500 bikes and wondrous spirits and sentiments of Christmas are strong toy trucks were repaired by firemen in the 24 years that and ever apparent to make our town a very special he was running the program. The Rotary Club would place to proudly call home. donate their time to deliver these items to the doorsteps Happy Thanksgiving—Merry Christmas of the needy families on Dec. 23 and 24. Today it is Happy New Year 2021! with an enormous sense of pride and admiration that I can report this program continues under the direction Mayor Jeffery D. Schielke

FVPO has the perfect gift

Looking for a holiday gift that will demonstrate your love for your family, your community and your country? We’ve got the perfect present!

The Fox Valley Patriotic Organization (FVPO) is selling engraved bricks that will become part of the Flag Day Monument on the Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. Approximately 2/3 of the funds for the building of this monument have already been raised, thanks to many patriotic citizens and philanthropic organizations (especially The Fox Valley Community Fund and the Dunham Fund). Our goal is to hopefully start the building of this monument in 2021.

The Flag Day Monument is dedicated to Dr. Bernard Cigrand, a longtime dentist in Batavia who spent his life teaching others about the American flag and its history. He was finally able, in 1916, to persuade President Woodrow Wilson to establish a national day of recognition to honor our flag each year, June 14. The Fox Valley Patriotic Organization is proud to carry on Dr. Cigrand’s passion for and loyalty to the American flag and what it means to all of us as Americans.

Please consider helping us to make this tribute to Dr. Cigrand a reality in 2021, as well as checking off your gift list a unique and long-lasting remembrance to a loved one. There are different sizes of bricks with different amounts of letters and lines available. Prices range from $150 to $500, depending on size. Letters are lasered for clarity and endurance.

New this year: we are now selling a beautiful challenge coin with a picture of our monument on the red, white and blue enameled head. This would make another outstanding gift for a loved one for only $20 per coin.

Please go to flagdaymonument.com for details on how to order a brick or challenge coin.

We wish all of our fellow Batavians a memorable holiday season, filled with love and cherished time with your families and friends. May 2021 be a happy and healthy year for us all!