Kendra Scott is located along Van Buren Avenue in Main Street Promenade at 55 S. Main Street. The downtown Naperville shop will donate 20 percent of sales to the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation from 10AM to 7PM on Earth Day 2025. (PN Photo)
Earth Day is Tues., April 22, an annual reminder to remember the dedication and visionary activism of several Naperville women, among many individuals, who years ago began making a difference in our natural world. Namely, the outreach of Jane Sindt, May Theilgaard Watts, Barbara Ashley Sielaff, Marjorie Osborne and Lenore Clow McDonald is significant. Throughout this community, their remarkable determination is recognized for their contributions to conservation in a variety of tributes that bear their names.
Certainly this publication has encouraged visits to Sindt Woods along the Riverwalk, May Watts Park and Lake Osborne more than a few times!
Kendra Scott shines bright
Though designer, founder and philanthropist Kendra Scott started her company in Austin, Texas, more than 23 years ago, the jewelry store that bears her name opened in Main Street Promenade along Van Buren Avenue last October. And ever since local women and youth have become acquainted with a style and story like no other that reflects her name, “shining bright and doing good.”
In fact, Kendra Scott’s commitment to innovation, quality and detail has taken her small start-up in Texas not only to downtown Naperville but to 100 locations.
On this special “give back” day to benefit the Riverwalk Foundation, store manager Alexa Wehrli added that they’ll have a sign out, free tote bag give away with purchase “and sips with sweets set out.”
Considering Mother’s Day is May 11 and other special occasions such as high school graduations, college commencements, weddings, birthdays or “just because,” purchases on Earth Day also will be gifts to the City’s natural treasure.
Riverwalk Foundation will benefit from 20% of sales on April 22
When Earth Day appeared on the calendar, the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation was contacted to be the recipient of 20 percent of the day’s receipts on Tues., April 22.
Mindful that Earth Day 2025 is the 55th anniversary of preserving open spaces, planting trees, reducing pollution, supporting local farms, shopping locally and respecting Mother Nature, Riverwalk Foundation President John Cuff is grateful and pleased.
“Since Naperville has been recognized as a ‘Tree City’ for more than 34 years—and I‘m an admitted tree hugger—I really appreciate this opportunity to raise funds for the Riverwalk when grants could be needed to replace trees,” said Cuff. “Trees enhance the landscape, conserve energy, help clean the air, protect the DuPage River and provide a habitat for wildlife. Trees have a lifespan and sometimes need to be replaced.”
Kendra Scott Foundation since 2023
According to events manager Dana Micheli, the Kendra Scott Foundation aims to empower women and youth in the areas of health and wellness, education and entrepreneurship. The Riverwalk in the heart of downtown was selected to be a beneficiary from sales on Earth Day, April 22, for the benefits the natural setting provides every day.
Established in 2023, the Kendra Scott Foundation continues the giving efforts that began within the Kendra Scott brand, now broadening its impact nationwide. Micheli noted that “when you lend your support, we can do good—together.”
The Kendra Scott Foundation is a component of the Austin Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Naperville Riverwalk Foundation since 1997
Established in 1997, the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization. Its mission is to promote, educate and enhance while serving as a conduit for financial gifts that augment the annual commitments of the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District to design, build and maintain the Riverwalk.
The Riverwalk Foundation operates independently and as a separate entity from the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District and Naperville Riverwalk Commission. It’s all-volunteer members aim to help tell the story of the city’s natural treasure built brick by brick by volunteers to recognize the Naperville Sesquicentennial in 1981.
The Riverwalk Foundation most recently funded the Nature Prairie Garden located at the west end of Centennial Beach, a project in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan, and currently is working on new landscape for Harmony Park at the top of Rotary Hill. Both projects were designed by the Naperville Park District for the Riverwalk.
For more information about the Riverwalk Foundation, visit www.napervilleriverwalk.org.
