Kidzeum of Health and Science

09/23/2026

What a night!

The inaugural For the Kids Awards had one goal: to honor those who are making an extraordinary difference in the lives of children in Central Illinois, and we want to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped bring that celebration to life.

We were proud to honor six incredible award recipients:

Dr. Gregory Brandt — Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, SIU School of SIU Medicine

Detective Timara Craven — Detective, Springfield Police Department; Founder, The Dollhouse Project

Dylan Flowers — Manager of Youth Leadership & Development Programs, Springfield Urban League Inc.

Judge Karen Tharp — Associate Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit Court

Lucy Schmadeke — Student, Springfield High School; Founder, Be Like Emma Dress Be Like Emma - Dress Resale

Taryn Grant — Founder and Executive Director, Springfield Youth Performance Group

Rachael Thomson — Founder, Kidzeum of Health and Science | Honorary For the Kids Award recipient

Each of these individuals has made a meaningful difference for children and families in a different way, and it was an honor to put their work, their stories, and their impact in the spotlight.

To every nominee, nominator, sponsor, judge, committee member, volunteer, guest, donor, and community partner who showed up for this event, thank you. You filled the room with energy, generosity, and genuine excitement for the people doing extraordinary work for kids.

And the generosity did not stop there.

During our paddle raise, people across the room raised their hands to directly support Kidzeum and the work we do for children and families throughout our community. Over the next few days, we’ll be highlighting some of those incredible donors and sharing our gratitude for the support they gave that night.

And now we get to relive it all through the full photo gallery!

A huge thank you to Kari Bedford for capturing the energy, joy, connection, laughter, and celebration of the evening so beautifully.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made the first For the Kids Awards possible. This community showed up in a big way, and we could not have asked for a better first year.

Take a look through the album, tag yourself and your friends, and help us keep celebrating the people who show up for kids every single day!

📸 Kari Bedford Photography

09/21/2026

Today is the 🚨LAST DAY🚨 to vote for Kidzeum in the Illinois Times Best of Springfield 2026 Awards!

We are up for:

🎉BEST KID-FRIENDLY PLACE
🎉BEST MUSEUM
🎉BEST FAMILY FUN SPOT
🎉BEST KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY PLACE

Now, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote! Voting is open through September 21 AT 11:59PM!

Vote for Kidzeum in the "Kids Stuff" categories here:

👉https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.illinoistimes.com%2Fspringfield-bestofspringfield-page%2F%3Futm_source%3Dchatgpt.com%26fbclid%3DIwcGRvZgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRRkUyckd5a21VRlVwZlBXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrMdsVufdk035W1_FmB4N7fiWaEEoaW_c07X4xbwdOYwptT69p_ckpXutVYe_aem_lXGole-nTZlbsUxoQFma_A%23%2Fgallery%3Fgroup%3D558123&h=AUC9Ijv1dpIDxFdGUoJwvI7CzvVs1jA_EkV7yyUfmKDVHvR1sOSNAWzm9FXDmxYD4DilKD8EZ9LhQGAUoIy6PfMbeD3H1PAPUY0e11o7Xb5SzoRLWpBJngFBcaKKSrCDDLZYmBOh3JIguw&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUCX0Wg1kRtBqv9gw2yM_ZPxbPHmopEjYcwRk1GyMW9n3FWxHL7o0Fat-R7ZaydsryEooKrzECSNH5d3HBrcSzUc6aX-soKu-3U0PqtmRkF9-bdmimLhnp-GEnCc-N_0uMTn1BI8JwleLWmDxe44GfFU2tkc4tLGOc-RTYzCTsE9narhhyJHHDU42RHBWJ45qRIcwl4z9J_NpusEj-8CiblXFw

09/15/2026

Thank you to Illinois Times and writer Karen Ackerman Witter, a former president of Kidzeum’s Board of Directors, for sharing the stories of this year’s nominees and honorees and the incredible ways they show up for children across our community.

For the Kids was created to shine a light on people doing extraordinary things for kids, often quietly, consistently and without expecting recognition in return. We’re so grateful to see their stories continue to be told.

Read the full story from Illinois Times below.

https://www.illinoistimes.com/arts-culture/kidzeum-presents-first-for-the-kids-awards/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUWXoZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWN3dWxWZ2Jjc3FaZ2RKSU9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeF9XcSLcY0wQD9RQz2W0BNQ0tFo-NVTiawzVJY08dboWkxPU0sbw4pNl_yTs_aem_jLYKVlAVwE2f0d8mixW2sA

Kidzeum hosted its inaugural For the Kids Awards, recognizing six individuals whose commitment, leadership and service are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across central Illinois.

Article link in comments.

09/14/2026

Kidzeum has been nominated in FOUR categories in the 2026 Illinois Times Best of Springfield Readers Poll!

🎉 Best Kid-Friendly Place
🏛️ Best Museum
💛 Best Family-Fun Spot
🎂 Best Kids Birthday Party Place

Every one of these nominations means so much because they came from YOU, the families and community who walk through our doors, celebrate birthdays with us, explore our exhibits and make Kidzeum what it is.

Now, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote! Voting is open through September 21.

Vote for Kidzeum in the "Kids Stuff" categories here:

👉https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield-bestofspringfield-page/?utm_source=chatgpt.com #/gallery?group=558123

09/12/2026

Thanks to Board Secretary and For the Kids Awards Committee Chair Charlotte Lee for her leadership that made our event so successful, and for being a great spokesperson for Kidzeum!

Awards for making a difference in kids' lives WICS/WRSP Staff Geno Reynolds Author email Sep 11, 2026 Sep 11, 2026 Updated Sep 11, 2026 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Sav...

09/11/2026

What an incredible evening! We were honored to celebrate all of the nominees for the inaugural For the Kids Awards Dinner. Each one of them is a treasure in our community. We are also pleased to announce our winners of this year's awards. Please join us in congratulating them and the work they do to improve the lives of children in our community.

09/09/2026

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the privilege of introducing you to an incredible group of nominees. Educators. Advocates. Mentors. Doctors. Leaders. Neighbors. People who show up for kids in ways big and small, often without ever expecting to be recognized for it.

Tomorrow night, we get to put them in the spotlight.

To every nominee: thank you for what you do, for who you are, and for the difference you make in the lives of children across Central Illinois.

Just ONE more day until we celebrate!

Dr. Aida Adlimoghaddam
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, SIU School of Medicine

Lydia Auble
Student & Youth Volunteer, Lincoln Land Community College

Candice Bacon Jennings
Family & Community Engagement Liaison, Dubois Elementary Springfield Public Schools - District 186

Ashanti Beler, MSN, RN
School Nurse, Jane Addams Elementary School

Melissa Blankestyn
Volunteer Services Coordinator, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

Dr. Gregory Brandt
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Hematology & Oncology, SIU School of SIU Medicine

Detective Timara Craven
Springfield Police Department

Amanda DeFord
Family and Community Engagement Specialist, Birth to Five Illinois

Katryce Dent
Early Childhood Educator

Ashley Earles
Regional Council Manager, Birth to Five Illinois

Dylan Flowers
Manager of Youth Leadership and Development Programs, Springfield Urban League Inc.

Ashlynn Frey
Education Assistant, Springfield Art Association

Taryn Grant
Founder & Executive Director, Springfield Youth Performance Group

Melissa Hostetter
Science Teacher & Literacy Advocate, Franklin Middle School

Shelly Kinner
Volunteer & Special Events Manager, Compass for Kids

Natalie Mitchell
Behavior Support Systems Strategist, Springfield District 186

Sarah Oglesby
Chief Operating Officer, Compass for Kids

Melissa Fisher Paoni, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Springfield Psychological Center

Ali Peden-Stade
Founder & Executive Director, Journey Like June Foundation

Lucy Schmadeke
Student & Community Leader, Springfield High School

Judge Karen Tharp
Associate Judge, 7th Judicial Circuit

David Wallman
Head Coach, Boys & Girls Cross Country, Springfield Christian School

Amber Walters
Early Childhood & Family Engagement Advocate

Vyvyan Wesley
Assistant Director of Discovery & Success, University of Illinois Springfield

09/01/2026

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 🎗️

At the HSHS St. John’s Hospital Kidzeum of Health and Science, children’s health is part of our name, our history and our mission.

This month, we want to do more than raise awareness. We want to tell you how you can actually help.

💛 HELP A LOCAL FAMILY

Journey Like June Foundation supports Central Illinois families facing childhood cancer through direct financial assistance, hospital programs and community. Every dollar raised stays right here in Central Illinois.

Donate: https://www.journeylikejune.org/

💛 BRING JOY TO A CHILD IN THE HOSPITAL

Child Life Specialists at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital help kids cope with hospitalization and treatment through play, education and support.

Help stock their playrooms with toys, LEGO sets, art supplies, books, activities and gifts for teens.

Wish List: https://www.hshs.org/st-johns-childrens/services/child-life

💛 FUND BETTER TREATMENTS

For many children, surviving cancer can mean living with lifelong effects from the treatments that saved them.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest nongovernmental funder of childhood cancer research grants, funding research for better, safer treatments specifically for kids.

Donate: https://www.stbaldricks.org/

💛 USE YOUR VOICE

St. Baldrick’s Speak Up for Kids’ Cancer makes it easy to contact lawmakers when childhood cancer legislation and federal research funding need support.

Take action: https://www.stbaldricks.org/advocacy

This month, go beyond wearing gold.

Buy the toy. Help the family. Fund the research. Contact Congress. Share the resources.

Awareness matters most when we turn it into action. 💛

Non-profit for families affected by childhood cancer in Central Illinois

08/29/2026

Happening soon!

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08/28/2026

Thank you to our 2026 nomination panel!

Last week we loved getting to introduce you to every one of this year's nominees, and every single one of them was put forward by someone in our community who saw the difference they make. Now meet the six people reading through all of those nominations and deciding this year's winners!

Rachael Thomson, Founder, Kidzeum.
Rachael founded Kidzeum and has spent years advocating for children, play, and community connection. The For the Kids Awards take their name from the way she signed off on her emails.

Dr. Doug Carlson, Chair of Pediatrics, SIU School of Medicine.
Dr. Carlson is also Medical Director of St. John's Children's Hospital and has spent decades advancing pediatric care, patient safety, and child health.

Dr. Terrance Jordan, Superintendent, Springfield Public Schools District 186.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Jordan has served the district as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, with a steady focus on student success and family engagement.

Marne Fauser, President and CEO, United Way of Central Illinois.
Marne has built her career on strengthening families, supporting youth, and connecting partners across the region.

Amber Kaylor, CEO, Ronald McDonald House of Central Illinois.
Amber brings 15 years in the nonprofit sector across development, operations, talent development, and community relations.

Michelle Feurer, RN, Community Health Nurse, Springfield Clinic Advocacy.
Michelle brings 25 years of healthcare experience in Springfield and works to reduce barriers so families can get the care and support they need.

Thank you all for saying yes to this. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Winners will be announced at the inaugural For the Kids Awards Dinner on September 10 at The Inn at 835! The event is sold out, but you can join the waitlist at forthekidsawards.org.