Thank you! Thank you!

For 25 years you have partnered with us to help care for thousands of vulnerable children throughout Southern Illinois. You’ve helped us raise millions of dollars to provide special medical care and counseling; build shelters; train hundreds of social workers, teachers and child care professionals to work with traumatized children; collaboration with the SIU School of Medicine, Harvard University and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois in supporting resilient children who, despite their trauma, are succeeding in school; a bed ministry which has provided hundreds of beds for children who had no place to sleep; hundreds of thousands of dollars to area food pantries for the purchase of nutritional food for deprived children; the renovation of facilities that house abused, bandoned and neglected children; one of the biggest Christmas toy iveaways in all of Southern Illinois; as well as scholarships for students who have suffered abuse. And so much more…

Whether you are a union helping us to build shelters, a business sponsoring a workshop, a foundation contributing to our mission, or an individual donor wanting to help these children, please know that with the support of our partner, John A. Logan College, and an all-volunteer staff, your generous donations go to the direct support of the children. We thank you on behalf of the thousands of children your love and generosity have helped heal from wounds that might have lasted a lifetime. Please allow us to thank you in person on September 7 at our 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Note: Our 25th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday, September 7 from 10:30 AM to 1 PM at JALC with brief remarks at 12 noon. Advanced registration is required, and there is no charge for the event. Email joposhard@jalc.edu no later than August 23 if you would like to attend and did not receive your invitation.


Ameren Illinois generously donated $10,000 to the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children
(Carterville, IL | January 1, 2024)

Ameren Illinois generously donated $10,000 to the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children at the end of 2023 in order to assist during the holidays with their mission of helping abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Southern Illinois. With Ameren's donation alone, 634 toys were purchased for children who would otherwise have had nothing under their tree.


Daniel Sullivan, Ameren Illinois Electric Superintendent; Dr. Glenn Poshard; Dr. Kirk Overstreet, President of JALC; Jennifer Lee, Ameren Illinois Community Relations Executive; Christopher Jones, Ameren Illinois Gas Superintendent; Jo Poshard; Phyllis McCowen, Poshard Foundation Office Administration Volunteer


Modern Woodmen of America Donated 89 Toys
(Carterville, IL | December 4, 2023)


Thanks to Jeff Rushing of Modern Woodmen of America who donated 89 toys valued at over $517 to the 2023 Poshard Foundation Christmas Giveaway!


The Poshard Foundation Announcing Toy Distribution through Southern Illinois Agencies Serving Abused, Abandoned and Neglected Children
(Carterville, IL | December 4, 2023)

On Wednesday, December 6th, social service agencies across Southern Illinois will be visiting the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children at John A. Logan College for one of the largest Christmas toy giveaways in the region. About two thousand brand new toys and gifts will be distributed to approximately 600 abused, abandoned and neglected children throughout 15 counties in Southern Illinois. Distribution of the toys will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6th. Toys will be distributed over a two-day period.

Partnering with The Poshard Foundation is Ameren Illinois which has provided funding for gifts in the past, and in recent years has contributed $5000 annually toward the project. This year they generously raised that amount to $10,000.

The children receiving gifts are identified by agency caseworkers who work with the Poshard Foundation.

We want to thank Ameren Illinois for their partnership again this year as well as Tri-State Business Equipment, BlueCross BlueShield, Modern Woodmen of America, America's Car-Mart, Our Directions, Eccentrics and our generous individual donors. Also, many thanks to our faithful volunteers without whom we couldn't manage this event to include the JALC Social Workers for Change Club and the Carterville Lions Club." said Poshard.

Phyllis McCowen, Poshard volunteer and head of the Christmas project, said, "This is the favorite part of my job at the Foundation. Shopping for toys for kids who otherwise would have nothing under the tree makes my Christmas."


Poshard Foundation volunteers bringing smiles to the faces of 634 children who would otherwise have had nothing under the tree.


Please help us raise money for abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Southern Illinois, with a secure credit/debit card donation.