The Crisis Nursery will be recognizing Hugs and Kisses awardees for making significant positive impact on the Crisis Nursery. The Hugs and Kisses Foundation of the Year will be The Saigh Foundation; the Hugs and Kisses Funder of the Year will be St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund; the Hugs and Kisses Couple of the Year will be Steve and Sally Mitchell; and the Hugs and Kisses Young Professional Heroes will be Shawn Vinson and Celisia Harris.

The Saigh Foundation is being honored as the Foundation of the Year for their many years as Crisis Nursery partners and their incredible support of children throughout our community. Because of their funding, thousands of children have received services helping the Crisis Nursery fulfill its mission of saving babies’ lives.

The St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund is being honored as Funder of the Year for their amazing commitment to the children and families of the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery and for “keeping kids first” in our community. Because of their funding, thousands of children have received these services helping the Crisis Nursery fulfill its mission of keeping kids safe.

Steve and Sally Mitchell are being honored as Couple of the Year. The Mitchell family has long been committed to the mission of the Crisis Nursery, providing generous support throughout the year, as well as the gift of their time. Sally has been their dedicated "shopper" in St. Charles for many years, ensuring there is plenty of healthy food and snacks for the children in the nursery every week. Steve and Sally have also assisted with underwriting the cost of various projects throughout the year in order to keep the nursery running smoothly and in perfect condition for our little ones.

Young Professional Board member Shawn Vinson is being awarded the Young Professional Hero Award. As a YPB member, Vinson devotes his time and energy working to help raise awareness about the Crisis Nursery in the area. Using his influence and presence in the community as a business leader, Vinson is always willing to share the mission of the Crisis Nursery with others in the community, encouraging everyone to "get involved."

YPB member Celisia Harris is being awarded the other Young Professional Hero Award. As a YPB member, Harris has supported the Crisis Nursery through countless "in-kind" gifts, along with personally supporting the events throughout the year. As a business leader, Harris invites friends and colleagues to join with her as she works to promote the mission of the Crisis Nursery in the community.

The Presenting Sponsor is Centene Corporation, while the Platinum Sponsors are Edward Jones, Emerson, Harvey Kornblum Foundation, KMOV 4 and Shop ‘n Save. Gold Sponsors are Drs. James & Nanci Bobrow, BJC Medical Group, Children’s Hospital, Express Scripts, First State Bank, Don & Gretchen Gerber, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Monsanto, Nestle Purina, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust, Rhodey Construction, Sephora Chesterfield Mall, SSM Health & SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, Karen & Sandon Wool. Silver Sponsors are Six Point Financial Group, Shea O’Toole, Wells Fargo Advisors. Bronze Sponsors are AAIM, Bancorp South, Carrollton Bank, Commerce Bank, Maryville University, Missouri Foundation for Health, Steve & Sally Mitchell, Drs. Jovita & Patrick Oruwari, Bill Siedoff, Staenberg Group, and Total Access Urgent Care.

The Crisis Nursery is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect by offering real help and real hope to families in crisis. The Crisis Nursery is an independent, not-for-profit agency providing short-term, safe havens for more than 7,500 children a year, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. The nursery provides care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at five sites, serving families throughout the greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Southern Illinois and surrounding regions. For more details on the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, call 314-292-5770 or visit www.crisisnurserykids.org

St. Charles County Suburban Journals © March 2016