Chaddock receives cash donation, teddy bears from Ameren Cares

QUINCY — Chaddock recently received a special delivery of 50 teddy bears along with a $2,000 contribution from Ameren Illinois.

“We are so grateful for Ameren’s gift for our children in foster care,” Jeff VanCamp, executive director of Chaddock Children’s Foundation, said in a press release. “It’s easy sometimes to overlook them: their sense of loss or confusion, the insecurity many of them experience every day. What a comfort for them to know that people care. The financial assistance and the stuffed bears let our children and their families know they’re not forgotten.”

The grant funds were made available through the Ameren Cares program. Kim Voypick, regional director of electric operations for Ameren Illinois, said the key focus of the Ameren Cares program is to partner with nonprofit organizations like Chaddock to help improve the quality of life of the communities within the Ameren Illinois service territories.

“Some children are faced with difficult situations at a very early age. We hope that by giving them something to call their own that they can hold onto like this bear will provide them with comfort during those times and serve as a reminder that better days are ahead,” Voypick said.

Chaddock’s mission is to strengthen children and families through innovative trauma and attachment-based services. Their services consist of special education school, foster and adoption services and parenting tools and resources.