Donation to Children's Museum to Benefit At-Risk Children and Their Parents

Parents of young children at risk and in need throughout DuPage County will have the opportunity to better understand the importance of play in their child’s development and early learning, thanks to a caring group of local women.

As a result of a $10,900 donation to DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM), these families will participate in “Play to Learn,” an outreach program that brings the Museum’s portable exhibits and open-ended activities on the topics of Play, Math, Science or Art to families in early-childhood programs at local social service agencies. The donation, from the organization 100+ Women Who Care DuPage, was prompted by group member and long-time DCM volunteer Sue Kamm of Wheaton.
 
“Having been a volunteer at the for more than 11 years, I’ve seen how great an impact learning through play can have on young minds,” said Kamm.  “I am so thrilled for these families. These are families who can’t always get to the Museum to experience all it has to offer. Thanks to this donation, now we can bring the Museum to them.”
 
“Play to Learn” encourages parent-child learning partnerships and school readiness for children ages three to five by providing parents with ideas about how to facilitate early learning at home. First, Museum staff work with the parents alone, offering examples of how to incorporate early learning into everyday play. Then, parents engage in fun, purposeful play with their children using the Museum’s exhibits and activities. Parents also are given take-home projects and ideas to build on what they’ve learned in the session.

Museum Director of Programs Margaret Hanly said, "Programs like 'Play to Learn' fill such an important need in our community, a need that isn't always visible and one we can't meet without support."
 
100+ Women Who Care DuPage is a group of women who believe that collective giving is one of the best ways to support their local community. Group members agree to contribute $100 each four times each year, and decide quarterly which organizations in DuPage County they will support. The organization was founded in Jackson, Michigan, in 2006 and now has about eight chapters, including DuPage.

Information courtesy of a press release from DuPage Children's Museum.