GODFREY, IL – Now in its third year serving families throughout the region, Riverbend Rescue has been chosen for the first bi-monthly nonprofit member mission spotlight to be featured by the RiverBend Growth Association.
The nonprofit is based in Alton, with Adam Marburger as its founder and president. Marburger is joined by Laura Georgeoff as vice president and Kaylee Weber as secretary/treasurer. Riverbend Rescue is also thankful to have the support of a strong list of donors and supporters throughout each year that come from across the region and beyond.
Riverbend Rescue’s mission is to serve families in need so that they have the necessary resources to thrive throughout the year, fostering a sense of community and support. The nonprofit serves families and children in need in the Riverbend area.
“Riverbend Rescue collaborates with local school districts to coordinate with families who need assistance,” says Georgeoff. “We raise funds through two annual events: Keys for Kids, which helps provide gifts for children during the holiday season, and Jiu Jitsu for Joy, an open mat session that raises money to support local families.”
And in 2025, its Keys for Kids campaign raised $20,000. Those funds allowed the organization to provide 40 children from the Alton, Bethalto, Roxana and Wood River school districts with clothing, toys and bicycles. Riverbend Rescue was also able to help support an entire family that had experienced the loss of a mother, providing them with help during a difficult time.
Georgeoff says that Riverbend Rescue was founded by Marburger with a simple but powerful belief: “It is every business owner’s responsibility to give back to the community that helped them succeed.”
She adds that, as a successful entrepreneur, Marburger has always understood that true success isn’t measured only by profits, but by impact. “Giving back isn’t a phase of his career; it’s a lifelong purpose,” Georgeoff notes.
Georgeoff then shares: “The inspiration behind Riverbend Rescue came from something Adam couldn’t ignore: What happens after the holiday season ends. When students return to school in January, the contrast can be heartbreaking. Some children excitedly talk about new clothes, games, and gifts, while others quietly sit by, having received nothing at all.
“Adam believes no child should ever feel forgotten, unloved, or left out, and especially during Christmas. Riverbend Rescue exists to make sure every child experiences the joy, warmth, and dignity of the holiday season,” Georgeoff says further. “At its core, Riverbend Rescue is about love, dignity, and community. It’s about reminding families that they matter and showing children that they are seen and valued.”
To reach Riverbend Rescue and to learn more, visit online at https://riverbendrescue.com/ and follow its Facebook page. You can also call (618) 806-4003 or send an email to riverbendrescue@gmail.com for more information.
The RiverBend Growth Association is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the RiverBend Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.