BRACEVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 6, 2021) — Hunger is a reality for many people across Northern Illinois. To help meet this need, Braidwood Station employees donated generously through this year’s ‘Fishing for a Cure’ program, raising $32,000 to support the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Braidwood’s local food pantry, the Braidwood Community Care Center.

“Thank you, Exelon, for your generous donation today. We know that more than 55,000 of our neighbors in Will and Grundy counties don’t have enough to eat. With this donation, you are helping Northern Illinois Food Bank and our county partners provide the nutritious food our neighbors need to thrive,” said Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank.

‘Fishing for a Cure’, Braidwood Station’s signature charitable event, has now raised more than $700,000 since the fishing tournament began in 2002 at Braidwood Lake. While the pandemic forced the tournament to be canceled for the second year in a row, employees still made an impact raising money for the community through station fundraisers. 

Every dollar donated to the food bank helps provide eight dollars of groceries to the community, according to Northern Illinois Food Bank, which is one of the main organizations that helps supply food to local families in need. Bulk purchases and food donations help keep costs down for the pantries.

“I can’t tell you how much this donation means to the food pantry and the people who rely on us,” said Braidwood Community Care Center Director April Highbaugh. “We are very fortunate to have a strong community partner like Exelon Generation and Braidwood Station.”

“Our employees recognize the important work these food organizations do in our community,” said Braidwood Station Site Vice President John Keenan. “While COVID-19 forced us to cancel the in-person event, it didn’t stop Braidwood Station employees from seeing a great need and springing to action. We hope to be back on the lake in 2022 fishing for another great cause.”

Braidwood Generating Station is one of six Illinois nuclear plants owned and operated by Exelon Generation producing carbon-free, reliable electricity for more than 11 million homes and business in the state. Braidwood is located 20 miles southwest of Joliet, Ill.

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