Volunteers huge help in tough times

This year's theme "Celebrating People in Action" for National Volunteer Week, April 19 - April 25, is an incredibly appropriate sentiment with regard to DuPage Children's Museum volunteers. It more than describes the activity, energy and attitude that all DCM volunteers bring to bear in their service to the museum. Volunteers help us positively affect the learning lives of children and their families. In countless ways every day, volunteer efforts, both on the front line with visitors and behind the scenes with administrative, exhibit, fundraising and other organizational needs, continue to be an integral part of the Museum's ability to serve over 300,000 visitors annually.

The weakening economy has brought us all additional challenges over the past year. DuPage Children's Museum, as is the case with other nonprofit organizations, has been grateful for the increased action of volunteers to help us compensate for staff reductions and cutbacks. Volunteers have really stepped up, in an incredibly challenging situation, to help us meet the increased demand to provide a stress-free zone where families can learn and play with their children. Personally, I think that one of the most impressive demonstrations of action by DuPage Children's Museum volunteers has been their willingness to become advocates on behalf of the Museum by signing up as DCM CHAMPIONS. By lending their voices to the charge to resolve financial issues that threaten our ability to keep DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville, DCM volunteers have gone to a new level in demonstrating their commitment to investing in children's lives as a priority that must transcend even the most difficult times. The statements of value that they have made on the DCM CHAMPIONS Web page are heartwarming and inspiring.

Susan Broad

executive director, DuPage Children's Museum

Naperville