From Left, Brad Dalton, VP Commercial Real Estate, Naperville Bank & Trust; Don DeRubis, Volunteer DuPage Children’s Museum; Sarah Orleans, President & CEO DuPage Children’s Museum.
Volunteer – Don DeRubis
Organization – DuPage Children’s Museum
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org
“You help yourself by helping others,” noted Don DeRubis, explaining his philosophy on volunteering with a smile.
Don was fortunate to retire early and has since spent his time volunteering for Veterans hospitals, Rialto Theater, and DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) where he is a committed volunteer. Since 2008, Don has volunteered with DuPage Children’s Museum and has logged an impressive 1,400 volunteer hours.
Don asks questions, offers suggestions, and assists staff wherever possible, but his main function at the Museum is as a Lead Play Assistant. He engages with children and families to ensure that everyone is having a positive, enriching experience while having fun.
“It’s rewarding to see a parent play with their child,” Don said.
To many that may sound like something very simple, but for some adults it’s not easy and that is why Don’s position at DCM is so important.
“When you volunteer at DuPage Children’s Museum, you make a difference in the lives of children, and enrich your own life with new experiences,” explained Jessica Greenlaw, Volunteer Program Administrative Assistant, DuPage Children’s Museum. “For children, playing is learning. Together we provide children and adults with a deeper understanding of the fundamental importance of play and we rely on volunteers, like Don, to help us do that.”
In addition to volunteering as a Lead Play Assistant, Don is also instrumental in mentoring and guiding new volunteers. His years of experience, combined with his gift for interacting with visitors, make him an invaluable resource for DCM. The Museum is very lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer.
For more information about DuPage Children’s Museum or to get involved, visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org.
Volunteer of the month is sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, serving Naperville with three locations, 555 Fort Hill Dr., 1205 S. Naper Blvd. and 5 S. Washington in the historic downtown post office. For more info, visit www.banknaperville.com.