Riverbend Community Gathers To Support Rufuge/Area Children
WOOD RIVER – Refuge was joined for a night of hope and inspiration by nearly 350 community members at their 8th Annual Fundraising Dinner on April 20, 2023. On a mission to change the lives of Madison County children affected by trauma, the non-profit holds its fundraising dinner during Child Abuse Prevention Month every April. Next year’s dinner will be held on April 18, 2024, at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. “Our community showed up for our most vulnerable population, and we can’t thank them enough for their support,” said Executive Director Erin Bickle. “Refuge is 100% community funded, so it truly takes all of us to provide the hope and healing needed by so many children in our area.” Since 2014, Refuge has served children and families who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. Refuge works to prevent the potential lifelong social, emotional, and physical impacts of trauma through a holistic