Above / Though the DuPage Children’s Museum is temporarily closed, last month members of the Cress Creek Garden Club spruced up the entrance to the museum located at 301 N. Washington. To keep the play going, the annual benefit ball, “Play Soiree,” will be a virtual event online beginning at 7PM Sat., June 20. Everyone’s invited.
DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) previously had scheduled its annual Benefit Ball for April 18, 2020. The coronavirus pandemic forced the Museum to reschedule the event and move to a virtual format. This year’s event will be held online beginning at 7PM on Sat., June 20.
The annual Benefit Ball serves as a celebration for DCM and its mission. This event is also the top fundraiser for the Museum, a nonprofit which depends on donations and grants to cover a large portion of its operating budget.
”We are excited to host a virtual event this year because it means that even more of our friends can participate,” noted Museum Director of Development Renee Miklosik. “Attendees will hear from Museum leadership about our strategic vision for the future, support our mission via the auction, raffle and paddle raise, and engage in some play.”
Access the event page at P2P.ONECAUSE.COM/DCMPLAY2020.
Explore creativity, curiosity and collaboration
Creativity, curiosity, community and collaboration will be explored during the Benefit Ball. DCM closed its doors to the public on March 13, but Museum staff continue to produce and curate interactive content shared virtually through Play to Learn at Home programming.
“Play is an essential need for children,” DuPage Children’s Museum CEO Andrea Wiles emphasized. “To ensure that young children and their caregivers can access quality play during this time, we have pivoted to reach families where they are. DCM is delivering hands-on learning resources and online arts and music events to engage our youngest preschool aged children and their caregivers. By strengthening partnerships with community-based organizations, we are finding new ways to mitigate the mounting stresses faced by so many families. We continue this critical work despite losing nearly all of our earned revenue while our doors are closed.”
DCM presents 2020 Great Friend To Kids Award
No one understands the importance of quality early childhood experiences for ALL children better than this year’s Great Friend to Kids Award recipient, Theresa Hawley, First Assistant Deputy Governor, Education. She joins this exceptional group of individuals who – in their work and giving – have demonstrated a genuine commitment to all children.
“As someone who has worked for decades in early childhood in our county and state,” Hawley said, “I have been so appreciative of how the Museum has grown and developed. In addition to welcoming families to its world-class facility, the staff have intentionally gone far beyond their walls to meet children and their families wherever they are.”
ABC 7 meteorologist Larry Mowry will serve as emcee
Emmy-award winning “Outstanding On Camera Talent” ABC 7 meteorologist, Larry Mowry, will emcee the 30-minute program.
In preparation for the event, Mowry shared his thoughts.
“As a scientist, I want to instill in my kids the curiosity of learning, and play is the way to develop that skill early,” Mowry said. “Science and learning are about making mistakes and finding ways to solve problems. Play does that for kids. We are so fortunate to have a place like DuPage Children’s Museum to show kids the Power of Play, but also to show parents the Power of Play and its importance.”
Wonders of science begin early
As early-childhood experts, DCM knows that young children think like scientists – asking questions guided by curiosity and a desire to understand and make sense of their world. A child’s world starts at home and extends into the community through informal learning experiences at DuPage Children’s Museum where they begin to construct knowledge and important life skills through experimentation with unique materials. Every DCM experience is purposefully designed to help children develop a strong foundation of creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills – strengths that help them grow to become resilient, innovative, life-long learners!
DCM expressed gratitude to 2020 Benefit Ball Presenting Sponsor: Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation; Lead Sponsors: BMO, Exelon, Molex, PNC Bank; Supporting Sponsors: Bulley & Andrews, and Robert R. McCormick Foundation, and ABC 7 Chicago as the Media Sponsor.
For updates and online programs for youngsters, keep tabs at www.dupagemuseum.org and let the journey begin.
Story submitted by Jaime Johnson, Senior Marketing Manager, for the DuPage Children’s Museum.
Editor’s Note / As a followup to inquiries, individuals who wish to present a gift/donation to the DuPage Children’s Museum may send checks addressed to Finance Department, DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60563.
