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| Chaddock Open House to honor Marge Ozley Roate - 9/18/2008 |
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QUINCY -- Chaddock will honor Marge Ozley Roate, who has been the “face of Chaddock” in Quincy and across the nation for the past 26 years, at Chaddock’s Annual Open House on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Chaddock is located at 205 South 24th Street in Quincy. The public is invited.
Tours of Chaddock’s campus will be offered at 3 p.m., and a worship service celebrating Roate’s ministry will begin at 3:30 p.m. Those who have stories, photos, comments, or notes to give to Marge can mail or email them in advance to Chaddock for inclusion in a scrapbook to be given to her that day.
 Roate will retire as Director of Development and Marketing on Sept. 30. She will be succeeded by Rev. Jeff Rasche, a United Methodist pastor for 23 years who is currently the Associate Director of Stewardship for Chaddock. Rasche commented, “Several people have summed up my thoughts when they told me, ‘you have big shoes to fill.’ It would take 10 of us to do what Marge has done; I’m humbled to have the opportunity to follow in her footsteps.”
Before her employment with Chaddock, Roate served on Chaddock’s Board of Trustees from 1977-1982, breaking new ground as the first female Chairperson of Chaddock’s board. Since 1982 she has worked in public relations and development as a tireless advocate for the hurting, at-risk children and families who benefit from Chaddock’s ministry.
During Roate’s career at Chaddock, she has spoken for hundreds of churches and groups across Illinois, traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, and been part of a team that has had a life-changing positive impact in the lives of countless children through those years. While she has helped raise millions of dollars to support Chaddock’s ministry, another lasting legacy of her work can be seen in the deep, significant relationships she has formed with people across the nation. Those relationships have been a blessing not only for her and for them, but also for the children.
“Through this amazing ministry, God has brought many inspirational people into my life, people who have taught me by example how to love others as God first loved me,” she said.
For example, years ago her tiny office was a small area in the garage of a house at the edge of Chaddock’s current grounds. While working there, she noticed an elderly man slowly walking across Chaddock’s yard. An outgoing native of Wetumpka, Alabama with a strong southern accent, she left her desk to talk to him. He asked whether he might have a few of the tomatoes growing in the garden. She told him to help himself. They chatted many times that summer by the garden, and he expressed curiosity about what Chaddock did with the children. After hearing about Chaddock’s work with children, he asked if he could help. He gave a gift, and another, and another. When he got too old to get out and walk, she continued to stop by his house for a friendly visit, often bearing tomatoes from the garden. Before he died, he decided to give a major gift to the children of Chaddock, and one of the cottages today is named in his honor. A relationship that began with fruit of the garden grew over time into fruit that is still making an impact in the lives of children.
Other longtime friends of Chaddock have commented, “I think your name will always be linked with Chaddock. I know it will for me.” “You have been a devoted advocate for so many children.” “Will Chaddock ever be the same upon your retirement? I have so many fond memories of Chaddock and quite of few have you in them.” “Paraphrasing a line from the Blues Brothers movie of several years ago – ‘I am on a mission from God’ fits you to a ‘T.’”
Chaddock is a United Methodist agency in Quincy that specializes in helping children and families who have suffered from severe abuse, neglect, and trauma, both locally and across the nation. Local programs include foster care, adoption, special education, and other services for those in the tri-state region. In addition, children and youth are referred to Chaddock from all over the United States when their home states are unable to provide the level of specialized care needed for the worst cases of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. Chaddock’s professional staff conduct workshops, provide training to other professionals, and offer consultation services in the United States and even overseas. |
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