Frankfort KidsWork Children's Museum In Dire Need Of Funds

"The longer we're closed, the more detrimental it is," Underwood told Patch.

FRANKFORT, IL — The KidsWork Children's Museum is in dire straits after several months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic and state guidelines. The museum in downtown Frankfort was founded in 2007 by local parents, educators, and business leaders.

Executive Director Nicole Underwood told Patch the museum had just reopened in October for indoor recreation with reservations, but the museum had to close again a few weeks later after state mitigations changed.

Underwood said the museum did offer in-person outdoor summer camps, which were "great to keep us afloat."

"We had a waiting list, we were the only children's museum in the state to do that," she said.

The museum has now created a GoFundMe in an effort to raise funds.

"Having been closed for so long, we are at a critical point and in dire need of funds to allow us to reopen when the state of emergency is lifted," the GoFundMe states.

"The longer we're closed, the more detrimental it is," Underwood told Patch.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $25,000, and as of Dec. 17, just over $4,000 had been raised. The museum operates entirely on membership, donations and admission fees.

You can buy a membership for the museum now, but can start it any time in 2021. Gift cards can also be purchased for the museum, or you can use the Amazon SMILE program and pick KidsWork as your charity.

The KidsWork Children's Museum is Will County first children's museum.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.