Dozens of charities across southwestern Illinois and the St. Louis region need your help
Once again, it is that time of year when generosity towards others, including volunteering or donating to a favorite charity, is what the holiday spirit is really about.
And each year the BND publishes brief profiles of local nonprofits that can use the public’s help.
So here’s a list of organizations that would benefit from your generosity, not just during the holidays but all through the year.
After all, even Ebenezer Scrooge said, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
If you would like your tax-exempt, nonprofit organization included in the list and are willing to answer our q-and-a, please contact Jennifer Green at jgreen@bnd.com. We will update the list until Christmas.
Here is the list, with profile information provided by each organization:
Alton
Mid-Town Moms
What does your charity/organization do? Mid-Town Moms help underprivileged children and teens in our community with Christmas and birthday gifts. We help teens up to 17 years old.
How can people help? Anyone can help by donating an item for a teenager. Monetary gifts are also accepted and can be mailed to 304 E. 3rd St., Alton, IL 62002.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Many other organizations are unable to help teenagers. Ages are often limited to 12 and under at most other organizations. Due to this we focus on the teens so that they may be blessed during the holidays as well as their younger siblings. Here at Mid-Town Moms we help children 17 and under.
Mailing address: 304 E. 3rd St., Alton, IL 62002
Phone number: 618-580-7291
Website: midtownmoms.com
Riverbend Head Start and Family Services
What does your charity/organization do? Riverbend Head Start and Family Services educates children, empowers parents and strengthens families by connecting resources and developing positive skills to meet life’s challenges.
How can people help? Individuals and corporations can help by making an unrestricted donation to help fund the greatest area of need or by volunteering their time, services, and skills. Monthly donations are also encouraged in any dollar amount.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? When people give to Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, 85 cents or more from every dollar donated to the agency goes towards funding the greatest area of need in our programs, which in turn strengthens families and improves the overall communities in Madison County. Unrestricted gifts from individuals and corporations help us offer quality education to at-risk children, while helping their families develop life skills and provide the tools to access community resources that help reverse the effects of poverty. Individuals age 70.5 with an IRA account support the cause through their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) which uses pre-tax dollars to maximize donation amounts that support the mission of Riverbend Head Start and Family Services and helps eliminate tax owed on an individual’s RMD and eliminates any uncertainty of accurate tax filing of qualified Charitable Distribution (QCDs).
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Jahara Davis at 618-463-8913.
Mailing address: 550 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, IL 62002
Phone number: 618-463-5946
Website: riverbendfamilies.org
Belleville
Belleville Area Humane Society
What does your charity/organization do? The Belleville Area Humane Society improves the lives of animals in our community through adoption, humane education and community outreach. In addition to our adoption and foster programs, we serve to keep pets in their loving homes through our community outreach efforts, including hosting a pet food and supply pantry, and partner with community organizations to offer low cost spay/neuter and TNR services.
How can people help? Please consider volunteering your time, talent and treasure to the Belleville Area Humane Society. Please visit our website to learn about different ways to support. We are always looking for donations, volunteers and pet fosters. Call us today and we will connect you with an opportunity to give back to the people and pets in your community.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? BAHS is proud of serving our community and beyond for more than 63 years. We work hard to keep people and pets together. Thank you for considering supporting our mission. We believe it is a right of all people and pets to feel the love and compassion that these relationships create. We are proud to have served our community for over 63 years, and we look forward to expanding our mission until all animals have forever homes and their families have the community outreach and humane education resources they need to succeed.
Mailing address: 1301 S. 11th Street Belleville, IL 62226
Phone number: 618-235-3712
Website: bahspets.org
Belleville Kiwanis Charities Foundation
What does your charity/organization do? The Belleville Kiwanis believe in putting kids first. The list of projects that we support is lengthy. While the pandemic limited our undertakings, the club remains active. We sponsor leadership programs known as Key Clubs for high school students. A scholarship at Southwestern Illinois College is funded annually by our group as are both the Dan Wolford and Tom Tebbenhoff awards at the high school level. The Belleville Kiwanis serves as a charter organization for a Cub Scout Pack, prepares dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, is a sponsor for the Art on the Square high school competition, and much more. The club provided the initial funding that helped launch the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias whose work we proudly continue to support. One project that we held prior to the pandemic that we would like to get organized again in the future is a Go Baby Go build, a very rewarding program with volunteers custom modifying ride-on cars for children with mobility issues due to conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and DiGeorge syndrome.
How can people help? Our group welcomes volunteers – we are not by invitation only. Age, occupation, religion, political preferences are irrelevant with the Belleville Kiwanis. We do like people who like to have fun while helping the kids in our community. Volunteers are welcome at any of our meetings or projects, especially at our Christmas tree lot.. We know our volunteers and members can’t make every event or attend every meeting. Donations are also accepted. Supporters can also come purchase a fresh wreath or Christmas tree.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? People should know that their donations benefit kids in the Greater Belleville area. Although our group was established in 1948, we understand that our community and the needs of the kids are changing. We welcome ideas, suggestions, and information about needs in our area that are not being addressed. Supporters are welcome to attend our meetings and to contact us with questions or concerns.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 153, Belleville, IL 62222
Website: belleville-il-kiwanis.org; facebook.com/BellevilleKiwanisClub
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois
What does your charity/organization do? We are on a mission to ensure that every child in our community has access to mentorship placing them on a path to graduate high school with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact lasts a lifetime.
How can people help? Get involved! Include a child in your everyday activities as a volunteer mentor- visit bbbsil.org/beabig to learn more. Join us for a night out of fun celebrating the mission- visit bbbsil.org/events for more details about Trivia For Kids’ Sake and the Big Impact Bash. Last but not least, donations are always appreciated - visit bbbsil.org.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? All children deserve the time and attention to help them achieve success in life. Kids with a Big Brother or Big Sister show major gains in their social, emotional, and academic lives. They are more confident, achieve better grades, get along better with their families and peers, and are more likely to make healthy decisions. When you support Big Brothers Big Sisters, you’re not just giving money — you are unlocking a child’s potential through an investment in our community that will have ripple effects for generations to come.
Mailing address: 2900 Frank Scott Parkway West, #956, Belleville, IL 62223
Phone number: 618-398-3162
Website: bbbsil.org
Caritas Family Solutions
What does your charity/organization do? Caritas Family Solutions is a human services nonprofit whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes and strong communities throughout the Metro-East and Southern Illinois. Services include adoption, pregnancy care, foster care, counseling, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect, independent living for adults with developmental disabilities, and assisted living and employment assistance for low-income seniors
How can people help? Caritas is currently serving more than children in foster care throughout the Belleville region (1,412 overall), with children entering care every day of the year. While holiday gifts are appreciated, the needs are basic and exist year-round. Making a monetary donation provides the flexibility to meet these needs as they arise. Contributions can be made online at caritasfamilysolutions.org/donate or mailed to Caritas Family Solutions, 8601 W. Main St., Suite 200, Belleville, IL 62223. For more information, contact Ashlee Lambert at 618-213-8714 or Ashlee.Lambert@caritasfamily.org.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Social and emotional well-being is a critical component of healthy families and strong communities. Support for services provided by Caritas Family Solutions is an investment in strengthening our society by helping people of all ages to reach their full potential. Every day, our professional staff assists individuals, families, parents and caregivers in creating loving, stable environments that provide a solid foundation for those in need.
Mailing address: 8601 W. Main St., Suite 201, Belleville, IL 62223
Phone number: 618-213-8700
Website: caritasfamilysolutions.org
Community Interfaith Food Pantry
What does your charity/organization do? Our organization here at Community Interfaith Food Pantry, outreach to the community of Belleville and Scott AFB, is to feed the hungry, be they homeless, displaced, retired, low income, just released from incarceration, etc. We service 62220, 62221, 62222, 62223, 62225, 62226.
We believe going hungry in a country as rich as ours is a travesty. We feed approximately 425 families per month, or 825 individuals. These figures are down from pre-COVID two years ago by about 40%.
The average number of grocery bags given out per month is 2,700 bags, about 6.3 bags per family. We serve about 50 veterans per month and 55 homeless. Of the total 825 individuals served, 223 are children up to 18 years of age. Our hope is that nobody goes to bed hungry.
It takes about $1.1 million to feed these people who use just our pantry here in Belleville, and volunteer hours in a year total 13,521.
How can people help? The ways you could help is to make it more known to the community that food and cash donations are always needed, and that if you meet the guidelines on our website to please come in for some assistance. Also check our website for hours to volunteer or donate or when to drop off donations and what is needed.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? The reason our community should give is that one day, it maybe you or a family member or friend who will need some assistance with food. Maybe it’s just the humane thing to do for one another. Or just maybe it is Christ saying, “Feed my sheep.”
Mailing address: 1218 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62220
Phone number: 618-355-9199
Website: FeedBelleville.org
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois
What does your charity/organization do? Since 1977, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois (EFGSI) has been providing a full spectrum of comprehensive services (such as residential facilities, monthly support groups, summer camp for children, comprehensive case management services, seizure first aid training, emergency medication assistance, etc.) for people whose lives have been affected by epilepsy.
How can people help? Monetary and/or in-kind donations of household supplies, gift cards are accepted and appreciated throughout the year. There are many volunteer opportunities such as office work, special events (annual walk) and summer camp counselors. All donations go directly toward helping individuals facing the struggles of living with epilepsy.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois has been serving southern Illinois since 1977. In fiscal year 2022 alone, 174,306 individuals received some form of epilepsy education, information and coordination services. All donations to the Epilepsy Foundation remain locally to help individuals living in your community.
Mailing address: 3515 North Belt West, Belleville, IL 62226
Phone number: 618-236-2181
Website: efgreatersil.org
Family Hospice and Heartlinks Grief Center
What does your charity do? Family Hospice helps terminally ill patients and their caregivers/families with care for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. In addition to those basic needs, we offer an extensive bereavement program in our Heartlinks Grief Center.
How can people help? Donations and volunteers accepted. You can also support our annual Tree of Memories campaign with the purchase of a Remembrance Angel ornament, various smaller ornaments, or through a donation.
Why should people give to your charity? We are a small non-profit hospice agency located in Belleville and serve communities in our surrounding counties of St. Clair, Monroe, Madison, Randolph, Clinton and Washington. In addition to hospice and grief care, we also provide services such as music therapy, pet therapy, physical/speech/occupational therapies, veteran services, homemaker and other volunteer services. A recent addition is the Linus Blanket program, which provides homemade blankets to children who are at risk or in need. Blankets are lovingly made by adults and children in the community.
Mailing address: 5110 W. Main Street, Belleville, IL 62226
Phone number: 618-277-1800
Website: familyhospice.org and myheartlinks.com
MindsEye
What does your charity/organization do? MindsEye builds a more inclusive community by translating vision into audio for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Since 1973, MindsEye has committed to innovating accessible services to meet the evolving needs of our community.
Our Broadcast Information Program provides volunteer-read radio broadcasts of printed material - from national publications to local material like county newspapers and grocery store ads. We provide free technology for listeners to easily access our broadcasts through closed-circuit radios or Amazon Alexa Echo Dots. Listeners can also stream our broadcast online or download the MindsEye iOS App to listen on demand. Our Audio Description Program is at the forefront of bridging visual accessibility to arts and culture.
We partner with over 40 Greater St. Louis theater companies, sporting venues, museums, and more to bring audio description to patrons. Our Adaptive Athletics Program consists of three adaptive sports - BeepBall, Goalball, and Blind Soccer. Each program provides educational demonstrations for a wide variety of schools, events, and corporate team-building activities, in addition to opportunities for athletes who are blind or have low vision to compete on a local and national stage.
You can learn more about MindsEye and how we connect with our community at mindseyeradio.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MindsEyeRadio.
How can people help? Volunteer! We are always looking for radio readers, event volunteers, audio describers, and people interested in helping with our adaptive sports program. Donate! Become a monthly donor or support MindsEye by sponsoring and attending events like our 50th Anniversary Soiree pour la Vue on April 14, 2023.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? MindsEye is the only service of its kind in our region. We are guided by our core values - Inclusion, Accessibility, and Community. By supporting MindsEye, you are supporting access to information, news, arts, culture, and recreation for individuals who would otherwise not have equitable access.
Mailing address: 9541 Church Circle Drive, Belleville, IL 62223
Phone number: 618-394-6444
Website: mindseyeradio.org
Optimist Club of Belleville Foundation
What does your charity/organization do? The primary functions of the Optimist Club of Belleville Foundation is to help in the encouragement and development of youth and to develop optimism as a way of life.
How can people help? The Optimist Club is always looking for new members to help with our mission. We will graciously accept all donations. Our club donations and projects total over $50,000 annually. It is estimated that during our club’s existence over $2 million has been contributed and spent toward youth and community improvements. It would be an almost impossible task to evaluate the number of Optimist volunteer hours that have gone into making our club’s efforts successful.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? So many youth in our area are in need of support. As an organization we support many youth activities and community services including the following:
▪ Christmas food drive
▪ Santa’s House and Parade
▪ Childhood Health & Wellness Campaign
▪ College scholarship fund
▪ Junior Optimist Golf Tournament
▪ Annual Oratorical, Essay and Poster Contests
▪ After-prom party donations
▪ Belleville Parks & Recreation Baseball League
Mailing address: P.O. Box 636, Belleville, IL 62222
Phone number: 618-806-5145
Website: facebook.com/Optimistclubbellevilleillinois
Project Compassion
What does your charity/organization do? PC-NFP has assisted over 80,000 homeless, disadvantaged, and low-income men, women, and children with food, shelter, seasonal supplies, hygiene items, life-skills workshops, and vocational training. Free therapy, a free laundry facility and a pantry are also offered.
How can people help? Being a NFP we have several ways for people to help. We are always looking for regular volunteers to aid in every day NFP needs. Also, anyone looking to aid in the process of acquiring supplies for our clients can either refer to Project Compassion’s Amazon Wishlist or contact a staff member in office to gauge our current needs! Finally, anyone who would like to provide a monetary donation can do so through either Project Compassion’s Cash App $projectcompassion or through Project Compassion’s website under the donate tab.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? As an organization we pride ourselves on providing compassionate filled resources to each client that walks across our threshold. No client leaves without their immediate needs being addresses. Each year we service thousands of women and youth and look forward to doing so for years to come. Each donor of Project Compassion ensures we can continue fulfilling the mission.
Mailing address: 6609 W Main St. Belleville, IL 62223
Phone number: 618-397-1790
Website: projectcompassionnfp.org
The Salvation Army
What does your charity/organization do? Food pantry in two locations, emergency social services (rental/utility/mortgage assistance), youth programs, adult programs, community hot lunch, homeless drop-in center, church, bible study
How can people help? Donate goods or funds or volunteer for one of the programs they feel passionate about. Currently we’re doing our largest fundraiser of the year which helps us pay for months of free services to the community. The Salvation Army made some changes to their regional boundaries. So this fiscal year is the first of the last three or four that we are 100% supported by St. Clair County, which means every dollar stays here to impact the community. A good change!
People can donate online at http://bit.ly/3sqG6lo?r=qr or they can contact Kenneth.Jones@usc.salvationarmy.org or 618-619-4105 to volunteer at a kettle for a two-hour shift. Everyone who signs up through Lt. Ken will be entered to win a brand new PS5 if they also follow us on Facebook. We will do a Facebook live drawing and deliver it on Christmas Eve.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination. We assist in whatever ways we’re able when people come in with needs, even if that means we have to get creative. We’re blessed to partner with some amazing community groups and organizations. I believe that allows us to maximize impact by working together and using our collective resources and experience.
The Salvation Army from our beginning has wanted to serve the people who were struggling. They did what they could do to bring stability, relief, and hope. I believe we stay true to those roots at the St. Clair County Salvation Army. We are grateful for everyone who helps us to continue our mission in service in over 20 cities and towns.
Mailing address: 20 Glory Place, Belleville, IL 62221
Phone number: 618-235-7368
Website: centralusa.salvationarmy.org/midland/stclaircounty or facebook.com/TSAbelleville
Senior Companion Program
What does your charity/organization do? Senior Companions are older adults who provide companionship and assistance to their peers who are homebound or socially isolated. Senior Companions also assist with daily tasks and provide a much needed break to full-time caregivers.
This program brings seniors together with other seniors. The companions provide supportive, individualized services to help clients maintain their dignity and independence. The goal is to keep clients independent and in their own homes.
There is no cost to the family or the client. The days are arranged to meet the needs of the family and client. Although they might begin as strangers, these seniors quickly become friends.
How can people help? A financial donation goes a long way in supporting the program, which in turn could possibly be supporting your neighbor needing some extra assistance. The federal and state funding has diminished over the years and we are only able to support the number of volunteers with what is in the budget. An increase in our community’s financial support would allow for additional volunteers to be trained and sent out.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? AmeriCorps Seniors knows that service works, which is why they are committed to improving lives, strengthening communities and fostering civic engagement through service and volunteering. Volunteering spreads smiles to both the Senior Companion and those in need of assistance. Being of service has a multitude of benefits for wellbeing and provides goodwill to the individuals in the communities served. New data from the first year of the AmeriCorps Seniors impact study shows Senior Companion volunteers report improved health after just one year of service. Volunteers reported decreased anxiety and depression, decreased loneliness and social isolation, enhanced physical capacity and higher life satisfaction. Help others in your community who want to stay in their homes by giving financially to the Senior Companion Program. Donations made will help with the Companions’ mileage, meals and time of service. A monetary gift will show you care about our older adults and their dignity to stay active for as long as possible.
Mailing address: 201 N. Church St., Belleville, IL 62220
Phone number: 618-234-4410 ext. 7040 or ext. 7023
Website: swic.edu/community/senior-programs/psop/programs
Soup & Raisins Program – Student Food Pantry
What does your charity/organization do? The Soup & Raisins Program provides basic meals to students at Southwestern Illinois College who are struggling. Free ramen noodles, raisins and crackers are available through the SWIC Success Center for students in need. Additional food is available through Student Life to help students through the weekend.
How can people help? While SWIC employees can donate through payroll deduction, monetary donations are graciously accepted through the SWIC Foundation. Please designate in the memo line that the donation is for the Soup & Raisins Program. Donations of ramen noodles (in cups), crackers, canned goods, cereal, etc., are appreciated as well.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? SWIC students are often on their own after having a safety net in high school — free or reduced lunches are no longer provided. Child care issues, unreliable transportation, unexpected illness and underemployment plague many of our students. Some students end up homeless or living in their car just trying to get through the semester. Other students find themselves in a financial crisis with a choice between paying for a textbook or paying their rent. We are trying to eliminate hunger from their list of concerns.
Mailing address: SWIC Foundation (Soup & Raisins Program), 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221
Phone number: 618-641-5174 or 618-301-6721 (contact person - Tami Hughes)
St. Clair TNR & Rescue
What does your charity/organization do? St. Clair TNR & Rescue is a local nonprofit organization run by volunteers (located in Belleville, serving St. Clair County) who help the community by performing TNR (trap, neuter and return) on feral and community cats throughout the county at little to no charge to the residents. Cats then live longer, healthier lives while the nuisance behaviors are long gone. We also help community members find low cost spay/neuter options for owned pets.
St. Clair TNR & Rescue also rescues animals from TNR locations and pulls animals from St. Clair County Animal Control. We do not discriminate. We take in ill animals, injured animals, FIV+ cats, pregnant mamas, litters of kittens, etc. We have a physical shelter and several foster homes. Cats and dogs are available for adoption year-round. Many animals ready for adoption are listed on petfinder.com, and some cats are able to be viewed at the O’Fallon PetSmart kitty condos.
In the past, we would answer after hours and weekend calls from local police and fire departments in need of assistance with injured animals. This year the number of calls to which we have responded has quadrupled. We have responded to calls for animals being hit by cars, sick animals wandering the streets, aggressive animals scaring local residents, lost animals needing to be scanned for a microchip and housed for the night, etc. Thankfully, many times the animals are reunited with their owners. However, sometimes they are not. This area of rescue can add up quite quickly with the number of trips to the emergency clinic after hours and on the weekends.
We will be hosting pet pictures with Santa in December. Check out our website or Facebook page for more information.
How can people help? We are always looking for volunteers to transport animals to and from vet clinics, volunteers to help with TNR services and volunteers to foster cats and/or dogs. Please call 314-339-7481 if you’re able to help. Please consider choosing St. Clair TNR & Rescue as your Amazon Smile charity of choice. We have a wishlist on Amazon as well. https://a.co/cy5efrR And we are always thankful for donations. You can donate on our page at stclairtnrandrescue.vistaprintdigital.com by clicking on the donate button, by PayPal.me/tnrandrescue, by Venmo @TNRandRescue, or by mail by sending donations to 3067 Plum Hill School Road, Belleville, IL 62221. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/maggiesmuttmission to learn more.
Our silent auction and trivia night will be held on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at the Swansea Improvement Association at 7 p.m. Text or call 314-339-7481 to reserve your table today. $20/person. All tables reserved by Mar. 1, 2022, will receive FREE mulligans.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? St. Clair TNR & Rescue is committed to helping the county continue to be a no kill community by providing TNR services to as many community members and their feral cat colonies as possible. We also provide food, shelter and medical care for those we rescue from the streets and from St. Clair County Animal Control. Some cats and dogs stay in our care for quite some time since their medical needs are so great.
Mailing address: 3067 Plum Hill School Road, Belleville, IL 62221
Phone number: 314-339-7481
Website: stclairtnrandrescue.vistaprintdigital.com
Teen Court Foundation of St. Clair County
What does your charity/organization do? The Teen Court Foundation was created to provide financial support, policies and oversight for the St. Clair County Teen Court. Teen Court emphasizes accountability, restorative justice, and responsibility rather than traditional punitive measures. Funds from the Foundation support monthly Teen Court sessions where peer jurors hear cases of first-time non-violent offenders between the ages of 12-18.
How can people help? The Foundation welcomes contributions in any amount that support changing the path and life direction of a youth who commits a non-violent misdemeanor offense. Donations can be made on our website or mailed to the office.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? The cost for a teen offender to enter Teen Court and successfully graduate is $375. In Illinois, the cost for a teen offender to enter the juvenile justice system and begin serving their sentence in the system is more than $1,500 per month. In the past seven years, 224 individuals graduated from Teen Court. Only 15 of the 224 graduates have reoffended in the past three years.
Mailing address: 12 S. 2nd St., Belleville, IL 62220
Phone number: 618-698-1858
Website: teencourtfoundationscc.com
Breese
Community Link
What does your charity/organization do? Community Link offers opportunities for growth and independence for individuals with developmental disabilities. We accomplish this through a person-centered approach, providing participants with a place to live, education, independent living skills, and employment that enriches their lives and empowers them to advocate for themselves.
How can people help? Monetary gifts are Community Link’s greatest need at this time. We are also hiring more Direct Support Professionals to join our team!
Why should people give to your charity/organization? In 2023 we are reconnecting with our community and getting out to spend more time at bingo, fun events, shopping, and enjoying time together. As opportunities to connect with each other and our community grow, so do our needs for transportation, staff, and resources. With the generosity of our supporters, we continue to create a community where everyone is valued for their presence and contributions.
Mailing address: 1665 N. Fourth St., P.O. Box 157, Breese, IL 62230
Phone number: 618-526-8800
Website: commlink.org
Collinsville
Children’s Dyslexia Center – Southern Illinois
What does your charity/organization do? Dyslexia is estimated to affect over 2 million children in the U.S. These children typically have average or above average intelligence. However, if their dyslexia causes academic problems, it can lead to emotional and self-esteem issues throughout their lives. Since 2002, the Southern Illinois Center has been providing tutoring to children by highly educated tutors free of charge. Specialized training in the Orton-Gillingham method has also been provided free of charge. Learn more about how the Children’s Dyslexia Center – Southern Illinois has impacted the lives of children in your community by visiting readwithdyslexia.com.
How can people help? You can:
Attend, volunteer, or join our board of governors to help us create and host fundraising events. Our fundraisers are most successful with your help.
Donate center supplies: particularly copy paper, red expo markers, paper towels, toilet paper, Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer, paper masks.
Give the gift of reading. What do you give to someone who has everything? You can give the gift of reading by making a donation to the center. Visit readwithdyslexia.com and use our PayPal account to donate online and to find out how to make donations by mail.
Over 90% of sponsorship income goes directly to providing tutoring-related services for children with dyslexia. You can be confident your commitment is going where it should go — to the children who need it most.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Donations to support the Children’s Dyslexia Center – Southern Illinois are greatly needed and appreciated. The free one-to-one individualized tutoring for each child is estimated to cost our center approximately $5,000 per child per year. We also train, free of charge, community members who have a bachelor’s degree or higher and who love to work with children one-on-one. This is at an estimated cost of $6,000 per trainee. These trainees become certified as Dyslexia Practitioner 1. Your donation to our 501c3 nonprofit center will be acknowledged with a letter of appreciation for your tax records. We have numerous fundraisers throughout the year, so please check out our yearlong calendar of events for 2022-2023 located at readwithdyslexia.com. We hope to continue to plan and execute fun, family friendly events so the community at large can support children who want to learn to read but are struggling to do so. Our upcoming fundraisers include: Festival of Trees on Dec. 7 at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. Go to gatewaycenter.com/attend/festival-of-trees
Mailing address: 417 W. Main St., Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone number: 618-223-1308
Website: readwithdyslexia.com
Collinsville Food Pantry
What does your charity/organization do? Clients get to shop two times per month with our client-choice shopping experience on Tuesdays 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., and Fridays 9-11 a.m. The Pantry also offers services for emergency food boxes and care packages for the homeless. Their SOS soup kitchen program provides hot meals curbside on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. They have also partnered with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to include delivery services to the Collinsville homebound residents. They offer their Tote Me Home program, a weekend meal package for students in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District, which is now well over 200 students per week. Utility assistance and housing rental assistance is available on a case-by-case basis, other resources for health care, dental, nutrition, employment services and food stamp application services are now offered through informational vendors that set up in the pantry during service hours.
How can people help? The services are provided through generous donations from local businesses, organizations, churches and individuals giving to the Collinsville Food Pantry. You can make a difference in the community by partaking in giving opportunities with us. Call 618-346-1861.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? The Collinsville Food Pantry needs community support to continually provide quality services to those that are struggling and in need of assistance.
Mailing address: 2009 Mall St., Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone number: 618-346-1861
Website: collinsvillefoodpantry.org
Making a Difference
What does your charity/organization do? We feed, clothe and minister to everyone. From time to time everyone of us needs help whether you are living check to check or homeless on the street we will do what we can to help. We don’t have any income or zip code requirements so If you are looking for clothing, food or hygiene let us know and if we don’t currently have it in stock we can point you to resources to help you out.
How can people help? Visit our website at makingadifferencestl.org or check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/becausetheymatter for more info. We are always looking to partner up with churches, businesses and other organizations.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Our charity is run on 100% donations; we have no paid staff on hand as we are all volunteers. Check out our website or Facebook to see how we are Making A Difference in our community!
Mailing address: 3303 VFW Lane, Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone number: 618-719-5118
Website: makingadifferencestl.org
St. John’s Community Care
What does your charity/organization do? Care compassionately for aging and disabled people, supporting their independence and their family caregivers.
How can people help? Donations help us to maintain a professional and compassionate level of care for each of our clients. Monetary gifts also allow us to offer the medical loan closet, support groups and caregiver training without charge.
People or groups interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Stacey Rhodes at 618-344-5008. Volunteer opportunities include helping maintain our courtyard plants, playing games with participants and singing or musical performances for our participants in the Adult Day Program.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? St. John’s Community Care is committed to serving those who are challenged with aging issues with love, dignity, and respect. We know that it’s not easy to grow old. That’s why every day at St. John’s we give hope to each person we serve. Showing them that they have a purpose and that they still have a choice in how they live their best possible lives.
We viewed our care for the aging and disabled through the lens of faith. We are committed to delivering quality caregiving options for families who are caring for aging loved ones. But it takes a lot of hard work, time and money to do what we do.
Mailing address: 222 Goethe Ave., Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone number: 618-344-5008
Website: stjohnscc.org
East St. Louis
Call for Help, Inc.
What does your charity/organization do? Call for Help provides quality mental health counseling, peer recovery support, housing/homelessness prevention services, and operates two residential programs.
How can people help? By sending your gift of a donation. This will help to cover operating costs of our programs. Please visit our website to donate.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? We provide essential services to those that need them the most. A donation to Call For Help can allow us to reach more people, and help them overcome a variety of crises.
Mailing address: 9400 Lebanon Road, East St. Louis, IL 62203
Phone number: 618-397-0968
Website: callforhelpinc.org
Gateway Pet Guardians (GPG)
What does your charity/organization do? GPG provides affordable, accessible, quality pet resources and champions a thriving pet welfare community to the over 55,000 people who live in the East Side Pet District – East St. Louis, Cahokia Heights, Washington Park and Fairmont City.
How can people help? Adopt, foster, volunteer and donate.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? GPG’s mission is to keep families together and prevent owned pets from entering an already crowded shelter system by reimagining what animal rescue really means. Our organization believes everyone deserves the love of a pet, regardless of zip code, income, employment-status or housing-type. We go above and beyond rescue to ensure equitable access to resources so that no one in our community has to make the impossible choice to give up their beloved pet.
Mailing address: 725 N. 15th St., East St. Louis, IL 62205
Phone number: 618-687-8007
Website: gatewaypets.org
Hidden Gemz Tutoring and Mentoring
What does your charity/organization do? We offer Math and English tutoring to Jr. High and High School Students. We also offer mentorship to our students.
How can people help? We could use tutors who have experience in teaching Math and English using the Illinois Common Core Standards. We are in need of a van to transport our students. We could also benefit from financial donors.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Our children are in need of educational assistance in the areas of Math, English, Reading and Science, especially since COVID. We are trying to reach out and do our part with no financial cost to the student or parents. Helping us is like helping our children. All donations are tax deductible too.
Mailing address: 8011 State St., East St. Louis, IL 62203
Phone number: 618-489-1322
Website: hiddengemz2022.com
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, Inc.
What does your charity/organization do? Neighborhood House is a community center providing a wide range of programs and services to the East St. Louis community including a Food Pantry, recreational and education assistance for youth, job development and training and AmeriCorps.
How can people help? People can donate toys, household goods or canned goods to help those in our community during the holiday season.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Neighborhood House has a long history of serving the East St. Louis community. The holiday season is a good time to remember our neighbors throughout the metro east area with charity and kindness.
Mailing address: 1200 N. 13th St., East St. Louis, IL 62205
Phone number: 618-874-0777
Website: lessiebatesdavis.org
Our Brothers’ Keepers of Southern Illinois
What does your charity/organization do? Our mission is to assist people coming out of prisons/jails to reenter society as responsible citizens, returning to their families and community. This reintegration process begins with intake that includes assessment of needs, setting objectives and developing both short- and long-term goals. The holistic process includes reading literacy followed by life skill and job skill classes that are essential for men and women who have been isolated in prisons/jails for many years with limited life and job skill development.
How can people help? Financial donations help us to provide a wide range of services that include IDs, transportation to jobs, utilities and rent, work clothing, meal cards, prescription assistance and hygiene products.
Volunteers are needed to teach reading, writing and social skills. This includes teaching basic computer skills and on-line searching for job opportunities. Mentoring returning citizens and finding affordable housing in St. Clair and Madison counties is a great need. Volunteers can also help staff in working with client follow-up, developing contact data bases and working on corporate and Illinois State grants.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Men and women coming out of prisons/jails have no concept of what life is like today after being in a prison for five or more years. Just imagine if you had lost contact with the outside world for that span of time and on day one of release had to negotiate a ride on a bus or train, call someone without a pay phone, find a place to live or halfway house, find a job without skills and in many cases, not be able to read above the fifth grade level.
This is the impossible situation that a majority of our men and women experience as they try to reintegrate back into society. A society that does not want them will not hire them and would rather they be locked up forever. Of course, 96% of all inmates will be released and could be your neighbor. OBK has a mission to assist these returning citizens as a not-for-profit corporation to the extent that our funding allows.
Mailing Address: 614 N. 7th St., East St. Louis, IL 62201
Phone Number: 618-271-7821
Website: obkministry.org
Edwardsville
Glen-Ed Pantry
What does your charity/organization do? Glen-Ed Pantry provides food and assistance to low-income families and individuals residing in the Edwardsville School District.
Programs include:
Food shopping every 30 days
Fresh fruit and vegetable shopping every Wednesday
Clothing and houseware shopping
Back To School Supplies
Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets
Children’s Christmas Gift Shopping
Pantry To You – Home delivery for those who are unable to come to the Pantry
SNAP and IHEAP application site
How can people help? Food, personal hygiene and cleaning product donations are always needed and appreciated. Your financial donations allow us to purchase much needed items at a reduced cost.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? No one should go hungry. A contribution to Glen-Ed Pantry will help us to continue to feed the hungry in our community.
Mailing address: 125 5th Ave., Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone number: 618-656-7506
Website: glenedpantry.org
Fairview Heights
Fairview Heights Area Food Pantry
What does your charity/organization do? The Fairview Heights Area Food Pantry provides supplemental food and personal care items once a month to Fairview Heights residents in need. Each family who comes for food must provide a current proof of address and an ID. We also distribute federally-funded Senior Boxes to residents over 60 who meet federal guidelines.
How can people help? Donations of food are received Monday through Friday (except holidays and school snow days) from 9-11 a.m. Monetary donations may be mailed to Fairview Heights Area Food Pantry, P.O. Box 4657, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Cash donations are used to purchase fresh milk, eggs, margarine, frozen meat and many other items when actual food donations do not meet the need.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Our pantry runs on donations of food and money from members of our community, churches and businesses in Fairview Heights and surrounding areas. Without these donations, our pantry could not continue to exist.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 4657, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone number: 618-398-0292
Fostering Bling Foundation
What does your charity/organization do? Foster parents provide the safety and stability crucial to a child’s development. Modeling a positive family unit gives foster children an opportunity to experience a more fulfilling and positive life.
Many foster children feel abandoned and rejected making the family dynamic even more vital. There is nothing greater for a foster child than to be welcomed into a loving home, and so, everything must be done to preserve the dynamic and encourage even more willing people to become foster parents. Becoming and being a foster patent is a selfless act. Often the role is ill-supported and thankless; however, so many foster parents continue to give of themselves, make sacrifices, and ask of sacrifices from their own family. It can be an especially life-changing decision and experience that can be equally rewarding and challenging.
With only a little extra support and a few resources, foster parents can overcome challenging events, feel more supported, and provide extraordinary lives and opportunities for foster children. In addition, more able people may consider becoming foster parents, ultimately benefiting the youth and the community.
To ensure proper resources and support are available for foster families, specifically foster parents, Fostering Bling Foundation was founded. Fostering Bling Foundation is a nonprofit corporation in Fairview Heights that provides support and aid to foster children and parents.
Senett Basquine, the founder, created the organization to enrich their lives with support and resources necessary to close gaps in the foster care system. Fostering Bling Foundation will offer these supports by partnering with schools, foster care agencies, community leaders, and the Department of Human Services. As a result, Fostering Bling Foundation believes we can further empower, enhance, and provide the resources for foster parents to level up during challenging times to maximize and boost the life of foster families.
How can people help? In-kind and cash donations and awareness
Why should people give to your charity/organization? We provide hope and help to an already struggling population… our youth and the gracious families that are willing to open their homes to vulnerable children.
Mailing address: 30 Stacy Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone number: 618-500-5879
Website: FosteringBlingFoundation.org
The Illinois Center for Autism
What does your charity/organization do? We provide education and services to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.
How can people help? There are several possible opportunities to help the Illinois Center for Autism (ICA). The holidays always present unique challenges to families who have children with special needs. Many struggle financially on a daily basis. We are also asking for financial assistance to help prepare our adults with life and job skills to continue their quest towards independence and becoming contributing members of society. To help please contact us at 618-398-7500 or go to illinoiscenterforautism.org.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Why should people give to your charity/organization? We have years of experience developing programs for children and adults with ASD and developmental disabilities. We have a management team with more than 100 years of experience combined, and we are serving the most vulnerable individuals in our society. One in 54 people is diagnosed. The diagnosis has been said to be greater than the combined diagnosis of juvenile diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and Down Syndrome.
Mailing address: 548 S. Ruby Lane, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone number: 618-398-7500
Website: illinoiscenterforautism.org
National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias
What does your charity/organization do? The mission of the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) is to empower and connect people touched by ectodermal dysplasias through education, support and research. In 1981, Mary Kaye Richter and 12 other families affected by ectodermal dysplasias organized and founded the NFED in Mascoutah, Illinois. Mary Kaye’s toddler, Charley, had been diagnosed with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, and she was looking for answers on how to best take care of him.
How can people help? The NFED has many ways that people can help:
▪ Donate cash, check, credit card, stock and/or in-kind items.
▪ Host a fundraising or awareness event.
▪ Advocate to mandate medical insurance coverage for dental treatments.
▪ Volunteer at our office to help with mailings.
▪ Help raise awareness on social media.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? The NFED is the only organization in the U.S. whose sole mission is to empower those with ectodermal dysplasias. We are committed to the ectodermal dysplasias community. Ectodermal dysplasias are inherited disorders that involve defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands and teeth. When a person has at least two types of abnormal ectodermal features — for example, malformed teeth and extremely sparse hair — the individual is identified as being affected by ectodermal dysplasia.
The NFED has grown considerably since the early 1980s, a time when little was known about the rare conditions and the medical literature cited only a half dozen affected individuals in the United States. Today, we serve more than 9,200 families worldwide.
When you are missing some or all of your teeth, smiling, eating and talking are not easy. Here at the NFED, we believe every person deserves a smile. We work with families to help them understand treatment options, to increase their access to care and to find financial assistance for that care. We have a network of Dental Treatment Centers, offer a donated implant program with the help of Straumann, educate care providers through symposia and have provided clients with more than $1.5 million in assistance for needed care.
Perhaps our greatest success comes from providing individuals and families affected by ectodermal dysplasia with a place to turn for reliable information, support and hope. We publish high-quality information to empower families with knowledge that their doctors often cannot give. We stand with open arms to welcome the family who has just been diagnosed, to answer their questions, and to allay their fears. The foundation educates families that anything is possible for the person who is affected by ectodermal dysplasia. The conditions come with challenges, but with support and encouragement, families can expect a bright future.
The NFED is also dedicated to finding a cure. We have funded more than $2.5 million in research at more than 40 centers around the world and sponsored numerous scientific conferences for specific syndromes and classification. NFED-funded research projects have identified genes for numerous ectodermal dysplasias, established treatment protocols and characterized many of the syndromes.
Mary Kaye retired as executive director in 2010. Today, Mary Fete leads the NFED and carries out the vision that the first dozen families had back in 1981: to be a resource for the ectodermal dysplasias community and to assure its families that they are never alone.
Mailing address: 6 Executive Drive, Suite 2, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone number: 618-566-2020
Website: nfed.org
Freeburg
Fire Truck O’ Toys
What does your charity/organization do? Our mission is to make sure every hospitalized child and family receives that joy in the form of the simplest of gifts at Christmas — a toy.
How can people help? Visit firetruckotoys.org for a list of our sponsors hosting toy collection sites. At any of these locations, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys. Or, you can make monetary donations on the site and Santa’s helpers will use these donations to purchase toys for our local hospitalized children.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? To date, we’ve collected over 50,000 toys and have distributed to six St. Louis hospitals, including SSM Cardinal Glennon, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, Mercy Hospital for Children, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital and Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. Our ongoing outreach is expanding every year as more organizations have come to support the program. Administration and support costs are managed by our sponsorship partners, allowing us to focus 100% of donations for the purchase of toys and gifts for the children in our local hospitals.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 209, Freeburg, IL 62243
Phone number: 618-578-8384
Website: firetruckotoys.org
Godfrey
Beverly Farm Foundation
What does your charity/organization do? Beverly Farm Foundation is a loving, caring home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing each individual with physical and emotional security and a dignified quality of life, with opportunities and challenges, within each individual’s functional capabilities.
How can people help? We accept monetary donations, clothing and household items (in our resale shop) and are always looking for amazing volunteers. In addition, we are hiring and have job openings in several areas within our organization, including entry-level openings where no experience is necessary and paid training is provided.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? We have been providing exceptional services for 125 years in the Riverbend community, and our dedicated and caring staff keep their hands to the good work 365 days a year.
Mailing address: 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey, IL 62035
Phone number: 618-466-0367
Website: beverlyfarm.org
Leaps of Love, Inc.
What does your charity/organization do? LOL embraces families affected by childhood brain tumors, late-effects of childhood cancer, and predisposition syndrome by providing hope, strength and encouragement to endure the challenges everyone in the family faces. Family retreats, social events, outings, workshops, and more can help give these families the opportunity to strengthen their lives with support, wisdom, and encouragement of others who have experienced similar scenarios to theirs.
How can people help? Periodically, LOL will adopt a family in need that struggles with a new diagnosis, a relapse, or even when they are behind during treatment. This is part of our Share Your Love Program and we update their needs on our webpage (leapsoflove.org) and on our FaceBook Page as we work with them. Gift Cards are also a big need. Many people do not understand that meals, gas, and sometimes lodging is not covered by insurance and LOL will lend a hand.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Many people do not realize that even though the children may be surviving longer, their chances of health problems, due to their treatments, increase. Late effects of childhood cancer treatment are common in survivors, and approximately two-thirds are moderate to severe. Once diagnosed with childhood cancer, it is a life-long sentence, not only for the child but the entire family.
Mailing address: 1005 B Broadway, Highland, IL 62249
Phone number: 618-410-7212
Website: leapsoflove.org
Maryville
Got Your Six Support Dogs
What does your organization do? Got Your Six Support Dogs supports veterans and first-responders who have risked their lives to serve our country. To help those who struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as sexual trauma, Got Your Six Support Dogs’ goal is to place trained PTSD service dogs with veterans and first-responders at no cost to help them heal from the psychological stress of war and duty through the compassion and healing power of their loyal four-legged companions.
How can people help? At Got Your Six Support Dogs, we are always accepting monetary donations, as well as supply donations. People can help by donating, planned giving, purchasing items from our Amazon wish list, sponsoring a service dog, hosting fundraisers, and shopping through Amazon Smile.
In addition to donations, we are always looking for volunteers to assist in events and fundraising.
Why should people give to your organization? On average, it costs $25,000 to train a PTSD service dog to certification. This cost is due to the expenses of care and countless hours of specialty training as well as a two week intensive trauma-resiliency program each recipient receives. Your generous donation allows our organization to offer highly skilled service dogs and life-changing programs at no cost to the recipient.
Mailing address: 6 Schiber Court, Maryville, IL 62062
Phone number: 618-206-5015
Website: gotyoursixsupportdogs.org
Mascoutah
Leu Civic Center Inc.
What does your charity/organization do? The Leu Civic Center offers a wide array of affordable educational and sporting opportunities to the Mascoutah, Scott Air Force Base, and surrounding areas. The center has been providing a variety of programs for over 40 years.
We offer free educational IEP consultations, tutoring, homeschool classes, and a variety of night time sporting options. Our night time classes consist of Tai Kwon Do, Karate, Gymnastics, Zumba, and Chess. Scholarships are available to families in need.
On school days, we provide an after-school program that includes a late afternoon meal for any child who needs one, organized physical activity and homework assistance.
How can people help? Individuals and corporations can help by making a donation to our scholarship or afterschool funds and by volunteering their time, services and skills.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? We are one of the most affordable recreational/sports/education centers in the bi-state area. We only charge a family $40 per year for membership for a year. Financial assistance through scholarships are available to families who qualify.
Mailing address: 213 N. Market St., Mascoutah, IL 62258
Phone number: 618-566-2175
Website: leuciviccenter.net
Millstadt
Equus Rescue and Therapy
What does your charity/organization do? Equus Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit that began in 2008 after its founder, Margo Sutter, learned the shocking fate of many racehorses that can no longer race — many between 2 and 5 years old. She realized that having the potential to live another 25-30 years gave ample time to retrain these magnificent, intuitive animals for a second career as therapy animals. Horses have an amazing ability to connect non-verbally with humans in a highly therapeutic manner, and in some cases, have even surpassed traditional methods. It was a win-win opportunity.
While Equus Rescue focuses mainly on rescuing, rehabilitating, retraining and re-homing thoroughbred racehorses, it is not breed exclusive when need prevails. To date, Equus Rescue has re-homed, fostered or transitioned over 500 horses into safe or permanent environments.
Now that we have obtained more room at our farm, including a huge indoor arena, we are ready to launch in-house programs focused on youths at risk, our country’s military veterans, crime victim groups and other populations who may find greater comfort in a non-verbal therapeutic environment.
In 2022, due to community support, we launched the Warriors H.E.A.L. program, which uses horses to help servicemen and women who experience PTSD heal from their emotional trauma.
However, it remains a huge financial commitment to support and retrain them to serve in new therapeutic roles. Currently, Equus Rescue supports over 50 horses, including descendants of Secretariat, Seattle Slew and even Man o’ War.
How can people help? We always welcome volunteers who love horses. It’s not just mucking stalls. Horse-handling skills are always very helpful, but not required. Bring your talents and we will put them to good use.
We also can use donated items such as pine shavings, bags of feed, grooming supplies, lots and lots of hay, and monetary gifts — for all of which we will happily provide a donation receipt. Our wish lists are available on our website at equusrescue.org.
Please ask your employer or philanthropic group to consider sponsoring a horse for a year.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Currently, we are 100% donation funded and 100% volunteer staffed, meaning that the donations we receive pay for hay, grain, veterinary expenses, rent and utilities. It costs about $100 per day for hay alone. With your help, we can achieve our goal to become self-sustaining through our therapy programs, clinics and private rental of our new indoor arena, which is suitable for a wide variety of events from horse clinics, shows, riding lessons, training and even horse-themed parties and wedding receptions.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1032, Columbia, IL 62236
Website: equusrescue.org
New Baden
New Baden Giving Tree
What does your charity/organization do? The Giving Tree provides food and clothing to residents of New Baden and New Memphis on a regular and dependable basis.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Zion UCC has been unable to serve lunches for kids Mon-Fri for the Summer Lunch Program. To compensate for that, they have been giving out vouchers to families with children ranging from $30-$40. Zion UCC plans to continue doing this and do not foresee going back to serving lunches at this time.
The Giving Tree also provides backpacks with school supplies for children in New Baden before they go back to school. Around the holidays, the Giving Tree provides Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts for the children in the area.
How can people help? Monetary contributions can be made at any time, as well as donations of clothing and nonperishable food items. Feel free to call the church at 618-588-4135 if you are interested in volunteering or to find out how you can contribute in another way.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? It is our mission to be a community of God’s people who care for one another by translating our faith into action and being responsive to the social, emotional, intellectual and possible spiritual needs of those around us in our community.
Mailing address: 414 W. Hanover St., New Baden, IL 62265
Phone number: 618-588-4135
Website: zionuccnb.net and facebook.com/NBZUCC
O’Fallon
Hearts In Faith
What does your charity/organization do? We empower single moms, single fathers and youth by promoting healthy relationships, as well as emotional, mental and spiritual strength.
How can people help? This year we are in need of a school supplies to support the needs of youth in St. Clair and Madison County. We are also in need of hygiene products to distribute to single-parent families in need.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Supporting single moms, single fathers and youth will ultimately strengthen our communities and enhance the lives of these families.
Mailing address: 7 Eagle Center, Suite B1, O’Fallon, IL 62269
Phone number: 314-529-0214
Website: heartsinfaith.org
O’Fallon Community Food Pantry
What does your charity/organization do? We provide food to families and individuals in O’Fallon who are dealing with food insecurity.
How can people help? We are always looking for volunteers to work at the food pantry. You can donate money directly to the pantry using a link on our website.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Food insecurity is a real issue in our communities. Food Pantries across the region are working hard to address this issue. As a volunteer-run organization, we depend on support and donations from individuals, community organizations, and churches to help us address this issue.
Mailing address: 801 E. State St., O’Fallon, IL 62269
Phone number: 618-624-7040
Website: ofallonfoodpantry.org
St. Jacob
Partners for Pets Humane Society
What does your charity/organization do? Partners for Pets is 501c3 non-profit animal rescue located in Troy, Illinois.
How can people help? Individuals throughout the community can help Partners for Pets by spreading the word about our organization’s mission, volunteering, fostering a rescued pet, donating or considering adoption!
Why should people give to your charity/organization? A donation to Partners for Pets not only assists by providing the life-saving funds needed to rescue an animal in need, it allows our organization to continue expanding our mission to help both the animals and people throughout our community.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 445, Troy, IL 62294
Phone number: 618-540-7387
Website: partnersforpetsil.org
Swansea
LINC, Inc. (Living Independently Now Center)
What does your charity/organization do? LINC provides independent living services to people with all types of disabilities and all ages, including but not limited to advocacy; peer support; independent living skills training; information and referral; and both youth and nursing home transition. Our services are holistic in nature, ensuring that all needs are addressed. And 51% or more of our board and staff positions are filled by people with disabilities.
How can people help? Donations are gratefully accepted at our office, on our website or by mail. Gifts of both money and time are truly valued. We are currently seeking volunteers for several projects, and we are also seeking mission-minded individuals to serve on our board of directors. Give us a call for more information.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Giving is a win-win situation. You get to feel good about donating to support quality local services that help people with varying disability-related needs. LINC’s support groups, equipment loan program, and community programs are funded by your donations. And our state or federally funded programs, restricted by requirements, are enhanced by your generosity. People with disabilities in our community live better through receiving assistive devices or equipment and/or support from others who have been there. LINC’s consumers are able to live more independently, creating stronger individuals and a more inclusive community.
Mailing address: 15 Emerald Terrace, Swansea, IL 62226
Phone number: 618-235-9988
Website: lincinc.org
Troy
Equipping the Called Foster & Crisis Closet
What does your charity/organization do? Equipping the Called is a nonprofit, which exists to assist children in crisis, kinship placements, safe family program participants and “at risk” families identified by the Department Children and Family Services or law enforcement in Southwestern Illinois. At times, foster families receive children in crisis with little or no notice. Children are often placed into foster care with no personal items. In many cases, they come into care with only the clothes on their backs. Equipping the Called provides foster families the opportunity to shop at our foster closet boutique for clothing, backpacks, formula, diapers, shoes, socks and underwear, all at no cost to the family. All items provided to children by Equipping the Called are either in new or “like new” condition. Families are given one-hour, private appointments so they can select items without the normal distractions of public shopping.
How can people help? Equipping The Called receives more and more calls every week from families in need. We need donations of new clothing (including socks and underwear), money to purchase new shoes and diapers and store gift cards. Volunteers are needed to organize new clothing and diaper drives, assist with day-to-day running of the foster closet, assist families when shopping and sort donations.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Foster care is not seasonal. More and more children are coming into care due to the opioid crisis. With your help, Equipping The Called will be able to help more families in need.
We can’t solve the crisis of children being removed from families, but we can assist in helping them transition into a family with self-esteem and dignity.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 171, Troy, IL 62294
Phone number: 618-205-3112
Website: equippingthecalled.org
Waterloo
Human Support Services
What does your charity/organization do? HSS offers outpatient counseling services, 24-hour crisis support, substance use services, housing for individuals with developmental disabilities or severe mental illness, and on-site job training programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Our programs and services are as diverse as the needs of those who rely on us.
Our 2022 Annual Campaign focuses on the Many Faces of Youth Mental Health. The children in our community are dealing with a variety of concerns, from depression and anxiety from school and family related issues to contemplating suicide. Mental health looks different in every child. As the number of youth who need our help grows, we are responding by providing on-site school counselors, Youth Mental Health First Aid classes that teach how to identify the signs of mental health concerns, outpatient counseling for youth ages 5 and up and 24/7 crisis support for youth.
When you donate to HSS, you are truly saving lives and giving young people in Monroe County the opportunity to pursue their greatest potential.
How can people help? As a 501c3 nonprofit, Human Support Services (HSS) relies on the support of our community to provide our services and programs. With your help, we impact more than 1,300 local lives every year. Donations can be made online at hss1.org or by mail to Human Support Services, 988 N. Illinois Route 3, P.O. Box 146, Waterloo, IL 62298-0146.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? We know a community is only as strong as each of its members, and we are here for each and every one. Thanks to generous supporters like you, HSS is able to offer counseling, housing assistance, employment training programs and much more to all people, regardless of their ability to pay. When you give to HSS, your donation stays right here, supporting programs for local individuals and families. Donations are tax deductible and allow us to support our mission of Helping All People Live Their Best Lives.
Mailing address: 988 N. Illinois 3, P.O. Box 146, Waterloo, IL 62298-0146
Phone number: 618-939-4444
Website: hss1.org
St. Louis, Missouri
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter
What does your charity/organization do? AAFA-STL provides prescription allergy, asthma and eczema medications to low-income children, as well as providing nebulizers and other asthma rescue equipment to school nurses that can be used in an emergency.
AAFA-STL also provides educational workshops on food allergy and asthma for the community.
How can people help? Monetary donations are accepted. Find out more at aafastl.org/donate.
Volunteers are needed to help plan the Orchid Affair gala event and to join our speakers bureau.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? One in 10 people in our community is affected by asthma and over 5 percent of children have life-threatening food allergies. St. Clair and Madison County have the highest instances of asthma in the state of Illinois. AAFA-STL helps children and their families breathe easy.
Mailing address: 1500 S. Big Bend Blvd., Suite 1S, St. Louis, MO 63117
Phone number: 314-645-2422
Website: aafastl.org
The National Children’s Cancer Society
What does your charity/organization do? The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) tirelessly and compassionately supports families making their way through the daunting world of childhood cancer. With over 35 years of experience serving nearly 48,000 children, the NCCS has become a master navigator of this world, helping families get where they need to be — physically, financially, and emotionally — to give them hope and to give their children the best possible shot at survival. Distributing over $69 million to families over its lifetime with the help of compassionate donors, NCCS is able to take a “no matter what” approach, creating a clear path through the challenges of childhood cancer and survivorship to help families stay strong, stay positive and stay together. Globally, we partner with some of the best branded and generic pharmaceutical companies in the US to obtain donated cancer treatment drugs for hospitals in low- and middle-income countries. Since the program began in 1993, we have shipped over $466 million in donated medical products to 105 facilities in 53 countries around the world. It is estimated by medical professionals at these facilities that over 196,000 children have benefitted from these donations that make their treatment free, accessible, and consistent. We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the program’s corporate partners.
How can people help? People can help families battling childhood cancer by making a donation on our website (thenccs.org/donate), hosting their own fundraiser to benefit NCCS and/or creating a Facebook fundraiser to share with their personal network, facebook.com/thenccs.
Why should people give to your charity/organization? Because no family should go through childhood cancer alone.
Mailing address: 500 N. Broadway, Suite 1850, St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone number: 314-241-1600
Website: henccs.org
This story was originally published November 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.