In this issue: Youth In Need holds annual Thanks for Giving event; holiday light display shines for Youth In Need; and annual Holiday Drive and Boatload of Toys support programs.
Annual Donor Event Celebrates Philanthropy
Youth In Need held its annual “Thanks for Giving” donor appreciation event with a brunch at the Moonrise Hotel earlier this month. More than 60 donors and award honorees attended the brunch, which is an opportunity for Youth In Need to extend its sincere thanks to guests for their support over the year. In addition, four special awards are given to supporters who have gone above and beyond in their advocacy for Youth In Need.
Congratulations to this year’s Spirit of Philanthropy honorees!
Outstanding Community Partner
Greater Giving
Outstanding Corporate Partner
ATB Technologies
Outstanding Individual Partner
Ray Riddle
James A. Braun Champion of Children Award
Kevin Coleman-Cohen
From left: Pat Holterman-Hommes, Youth In Need’s President and CEO; Chelle Knopp, representing Greater Giving, this year’s Outstanding Community Partner honoree; and Demetria Lightfoot, Youth In Need’s Senior Director of Philanthropy.
Staff from ATB Technologies, this year’s Outstanding Corporate Partner.
From left: Pat Holterman-Hommes and Ray Riddle, former Youth In Need Board of Directors Chair and this year’s Outstanding Individual Partner honoree.
From left: Pat Holterman-Hommes and Kevin Coleman-Cohen, filmmaker, Associate Director of Youth In Need’s Transitional Living Program and this year’s James A. Braun Champion of Children honoree.
Holiday Lights Shine for Youth In Need
Looking for a spectacular holiday light display to add to your must-see list this year? Once again, the Koenemann family has turned their home into an eye-catching holiday light display to benefit Youth In Need. The display, which takes hundreds of hours to install, is at the intersection of Ladue Road and Ladue Pine Woods Place. Enjoy the display Sundays through Thursdays from 5:15 to 10:15 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:15 p.m. to midnight through Jan. 1, 2024. The family asks passersby to make a donation to Youth In Need. Since the Koenemann family launched their light display, they’ve raised more than $70,000 since 2020 to support Youth In Need’s programs and services!
Help Spread Magic This Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us and many generous supporters in our community are gearing up to ensure every one of the more than 8,000 children, teens and families Youth In Need serves has a memorable holiday. Now through Dec. 13, many local businesses, individuals, schools and community groups will participate in the agency’s annual holiday drive, collecting items from program wish lists. To learn more about this year’s holiday drive, email Emily Birgenheier, Development Services Manager, view the general wish list or shop directly from the Amazon wish list. You also can support the drive by making a cash gift online.
Also back this year is the 14th annual Boatload of Toys drive with local radio station 93.7 The Bull. Radio personalities will be outside Bass Pro Shops in St. Charles on Dec. 1, 2 and 3, filling boats with toys, hygiene supplies, books and more for Youth In Need. The station wraps up the Boatload of Toys drive with its annual Santa Jam concert on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Stifel Theatre.
