Afternoon sun bursts through towering palms along Victoria Avenue, where autumn foliage glows in brilliant shades of red and orange. The tree-lined street's seasonal color puts on a spectacular display under the clear Riverside sky. (Noall Knighton) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Tuesday Gazette: December 2, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! Throughout the year, our vibrant city offers countless opportunities to celebrate, connect, and enjoy life together. But we've all had that moment—seeing photos pop up on social media from an event we didn't know about until it was too late, wishing we'd been there.
That's why we're putting together an End-of-Year Save the Dates guide for 2026, a chance to get ahead and mark your calendars now for the can't-miss events that make Riverside special. We need your help: if you know of a must-attend annual tradition, an exciting inaugural event, or a beloved community gathering, reply to this email or send us your suggestions at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.
Let's make sure nobody misses out on the moments that bring us all together.
Rebirth Homes Wins Tower Agency's $5,000 Giving Tuesday Challenge
The human trafficking survivor support organization received the most votes in a community-driven initiative funding three Riverside nonprofits.
Tower Agency agents present a check to Rebirth Homes during a previous year's community giving initiative. The human trafficking survivor support organization won Tower's 2025 Giving Tuesday community vote, receiving $2,500 as the top vote-getter. (Courtesy of Tower Agency)
Tower Agency let Riverside residents decide where its $5,000 Giving Tuesday donation should go — and the human trafficking survivor support organization took first place.
Why it matters: The 10-day public voting campaign gave the community direct say in corporate philanthropy, with three local nonprofits splitting the funds based on vote totals.
Tower Agency's 70+ agents nominated the three finalists, then opened voting to the Riverside community rather than deciding internally.
By the numbers:
$2,500 to Rebirth Homes (first place)
$1,500 to Mission Inn Foundation (second)
$1,000 to Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (third)
About the winner: Rebirth Homes provides two-year residential care and employment for human trafficking survivors — one of few programs offering long-term support in the Inland Empire. The nonprofit has served nearly 140 women since 2017.
"Since our program is privately funded, we rely on private donations to fund everything needed for healing," said Debbie Martis, Rebirth Homes CEO.
The big picture: Tower Agency has donated to local nonprofits since 1989, including a $10,000 contribution in 2023 — its largest to date.
Raincross Rundown: The Best of Riverside in December 2025
A curated list of upcoming events and happenings The Gazette team is most excited about.
A choir performs at La Sierra University's Annual Candlelight Concert, presenting seasonal music at the university church on Sierra Vista Avenue, part of an evening featuring choirs, orchestra, and brass ensembles. (Courtesy of La Sierra University)
December transforms Riverside into something magical. It's not just the millions of lights draped across our historic Downtown or the rare sight of 70 tons of snow at Farmhouse Collective – it's the way our community comes together, creating traditions both new and cherished. From punk rock historians bringing toys for kids to neighbors gathering for Las Posadas, from jazz on winter patios to menorah lightings at the courthouse, this month reminds us why we choose to celebrate here, together. Every event on this list offers more than entertainment; it's an invitation to be part of Riverside's story.
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
