DuPage Children Museum's offices transformed thanks to donations

Patrick C. Rubald, owner of Office Solutions Inc., donated new office furnishings to DuPage Children's Museum and touched off a chain reaction of generosity and giving that included the museum helping seven other nonprofit organizations.

After a catastrophic flood in 2015, the museum was forced to close for renovations, reopening six month ago as a re-imagined museum. All areas of the museum underwent reconstruction except the administrative areas on the second floor.

"Our main focus after the flood was to re-imagine the public spaces of the museum and create a beautiful, innovative, interactive experience for our visitors," said Kimberly Stull, director of exhibits and operations. "In order to reopen as quickly as possible, and due to financial constraints, the decision was made to leave the staff area as is."

During the reconstruction, Rubald called the museum. A lifelong Naperville resident who lives within walking distance of the museum, he has personally witnessed the impact the institution has had on his children over the years. When he heard about the flood, he knew he wanted to figure out a way to help.

The owner of Office Solutions Inc., an office furnishings, sales, service and transportation company based in Aurora, Rubald met with museum leaders and toured the administrative offices. After these meetings he was able to identify where he could help make improvements and donated matching office furnishings, storage units, desks, tables, chairs and a team of helpers to transform the office.

Phase One included completing the renamed Mayor A. George Pradel Volunteer Center honoring Naperville's mayor emeritus. Phase Two involved a complete facelift to the administrative offices during which Rubald and his team developed a new floor plan to create a contemporary, efficient and professional work environment for museum administrative staff and guests.

New carpeting also was needed, and the Carpenters Union and the Professional Flooring Installers Association joined forces to see how they could support the museum. Tom Sheridan, president of PCI Flor Tech, was instrumental in securing donated carpet from Mohawk and he donated the labor to install the carpet tiles in the administrative offices. Naperville Alarm also was on the scene during Phase Two, donating electrical wiring expertise and talent for the new office spaces.

Not only has the museum been positively impacted, but because of the donations, the museum was able to give back to other community organizations.

Museum staff worked with Giving DuPage to let other nonprofits know the museum had a variety of office furnishings to give away. Within a couple of days, office furnishings were donated to the Elmhurst YMCA, DuPage Convalescent Center, DuPage Habitat for Humanity, Sertoma Centre, GiGi's Playhouse, Naperville Family History Center, and the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.

"This has truly been a labor of love and generosity, and it all started with Patrick Rubald's desire to give back to DCM," Stull said. "We are so appreciative of the tremendous donation of resources, time and talents to DCM once again. The staff is absolutely overwhelmed and so proud to have a beautifully remodeled space to enjoy for many years to come."