Crisis Nursery honors outstanding work for children

Saint Louis Crisis Nursery honored Bruce Sowatsky of St. Charles, and Arthur and Ruthie Schaper of Lake Saint Louis at its annual “Over the Top for Tots” luncheon.

Bruce Sowatsky, executive director of the Community and Children’s Resource Board of St. Charles County, received the Guardian Angel Award, sponsored by CenturyLink, for his advocacy, commitment and dedication to the children of St. Charles. Sowatsky has been instrumental in the development of two Crisis Nurseries in St. Charles, ensuring thousands of children have a safe place to go when there is a family crisis.

Arthur and Ruthie Schaper, owners of Puddle Ducks, in Lake Saint Louis received the Children’s Champion Award, sponsored by Shop and Save, for their devotion to making life better for the children served by the nurseries. Puddle Ducks, a children’s boutique in Lake Saint Louis, donates clothing and other items to Crisis Nursery.

“We are so fortunate to have such wonderful partnerships with Bruce, Arthur and Ruthie,” said DiAnne Mueller, CEO of the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. “Every day it’s heroes like them who help families in crisis. The time and energy they dedicate directly benefits families every day in the St. Charles area and helps keep kids alive.”

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, celebrating its 25th year, 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 7,200 children a year – birth through age 12 – whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. The Crisis 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. In the past 25 years, the Crisis Nursery has cared for more than 68,000 children, and provided support and counseling to more than 84,500 families.

For the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery 24-hour helpline, call 314-338-2200 or 314-953-8030 (North St. Louis). In St. Charles County, call 947-0600; for St. Charles, 940-2504; or  887-3070 for the Wentzville location.