The St. Louis Blues and Ameren Missouri awarded $21,000 to four local nonprofits as part of the sixth annual Power Play Goals for Kids program. The program supports local charities focused on improving the lives of kids throughout our community. For every power play goal the Blues scored during the regular season (Jan. 13 to May 13), Ameren Missouri donated $500 to a children's charity selected by fans via an online vote that concluded on April 3. This season, the four worthy nonprofits were CASA St. Louis, Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, LifeWise STL, and Youth In Need.

Earlier in the season, fans voted for their favorite charity. In one of the closest votes in the six-year history of the program, Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) was declared the winning organization for this season. CMFCAA, based in Jefferson City, is a not-for-profit agency that educates, supports and advocates for foster and adoptive children, youth and families in central Missouri by offering services and partnering with community and governmental agencies to develop healthy and self-sufficient individuals and families.

On May 13, when the regular season ended, the Blues had scored 36 power play goals, raising a total of $18,000, which was presented to Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association in a brief ceremony today outside the entrance of Enterprise Center. For their participation, the other charities will receive $1,000 each.

“The Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association feels extremely blessed by our community, Ameren Missouri and the St. Louis Blues for selecting our kids as winners for the Power Play Goals for Kids. This gift means so much and the dollars raised will support traumatized children. So many children need forever homes and stability," said DeAnna Alonso, president and CEO of CMFCAA. "We are so happy to be able to continue life changing programming for central Missouri kids and families with the amazing support of the Power Play Goals for Kids program. It's such a great feeling to know people care so deeply. We are doing a happy dance for our kids. Thank you!"

Due to the abbreviated NHL season, the Blues and Ameren Missouri have invited the other three participating charities back for next year's challenge, along with a past program participant. To learn more about the program, visit AmerenMissouri.com/Blues.