Better Banks is pleased to sponsor the 2025 Cuddles with Kindness Valentine’s Day Teddy Bear Drive and serve as a drop-off location. Taylor Larson founded Cuddles with Kindness after she spent two weeks in the Children’s Hospital of Illinois as a child. Now in its 16th year, Cuddles with Kindness continues to provide stuffed animals to kids while patients are at OSF Children’s Hospital.

This Valentine’s Day Drive is their largest drive of the year, and they hope to collect thousands of stuffed animals for the children visiting the hospital throughout the year. "Better Banks is happy to support such a wonderful cause and assist as a drop-off location at all of our branch locations again this year," said Mike Stratton, President of Better Banks.

Better Banks supports local organizations focusing on community, education, and youth. We contribute to the communities we serve through our time, talents, and contributions. As a true community bank, we are responsible for giving back to the communities that trust us with their financial well-being.

You can stop by any of our branch locations to drop off new (with tags) stuffed animals by the deadline of February 6th.

About Cuddles with Kindness
Cuddles with Kindness is a nonprofit organization providing comfort to needy kids. Their mission is to provide cuddly stuffed animals to children undergoing rough times. Cuddles with Kindness hopes to educate others on how easy it is to spread kindness regardless of age. They have proudly served approximately 5,000 children in Central Illinois. To learn more about their mission, visit cuddleswithkindness.org.

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