Orland Park Library opens Sensory Room, dedicated to families with Autistic children

Orland Park, IL, November 24, 2020 – On Thursday, Oct. 29, a small group of library staff, Darvin Furniture employees, and enthusiastic supporters gathered on the first floor at the newly renovated Orland Park Library, 14921 Ravinia Ave. They stood outside the library’s very first sensory room and celebrated a grand opening ribbon cutting for the distinctly specialized Sensory Space.

Above pictured (l to r) at the ribbon cutting for the Orland Park Library’s new Sensory Room are: Orland Park Library Youth Services Manager Brandi Smits; Darvin Furniture President Will Harris; President Orland Park Board of Library Trustees Joanna Leafblad; and Carol Dizon, Chief Financial Officer Darvin; (right) the interior of the Sensory Space.

The Sensory Space, dedicated to assisting library patrons who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), was made possible by a donation from Orland Park-based Darvin Furniture & Mattress, 15400 La Grange Road, Orland Park, Ill. Just a small part of the recent Orland Park Library renovations, the Sensory Space will help families affected by ASD, the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States.

The concept for the Sensory Space room came up during plans for the renovation and it received great support from library staff who saw the need firsthand. “The library wants to be able to serve the community beyond books,” says Joanna Leafblad, president Orland Park Board of Library Trustees. “We want everyone to feel comfortable. Nobody needs to feel they are not welcome.”

According to Darvin Furniture & Mattress President Will Harris, the donation from the 100-year-old Orland Park-based retailer was just another way for Darvin to express how important and how meaningful it is to be an active member in their community.

“When we became aware of the need for a sensory room at the library, it immediately felt to us like it was a place we might be able to help out,” says Harris. “I think everyone has firsthand experience, or at the very least knows someone affected by Autism. Our hope is this will have a real impact on families’ lives here in Orland Park.”

The room, which features an ASD-appropriate paint hue, furnishings, innovative lighting and tactile-focused accessories, will become a welcome sanctuary for Autistic children and their parents visiting the library.

The Sensory Space is part of a growing national ASD awareness. Leafblad explains that families who bring their children to the library will have a new place to go to if they find themselves “having a difficult moment,” she says. “We want to make it easier for them to stay at the library.”

Harris says Darvin Furniture & Mattress is glad they had the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. “Darvin has been in business in Chicagoland for 100 years and we have always been dedicated to providing our customers with a great experience. I see this as just an extension of our commitment and a very rewarding way for all of us to give back to our community.”

Darvin Furniture is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2020. Darvin Furniture is an A+ Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau, a recipient of the national 2018 Leadership Award from Furniture Today Magazine and the Illinois Retailer of the Year Award (See Video) from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. Darvin offers selection, style and quality you can afford. Visit Darvin.com today.

About Darvin Furniture
More than 100 years old, Darvin® Furniture is an industry leader and Chicagoland's largest furniture and mattress store. One of the top 100 furniture retailers in the country, Darvin Furniture's showroom is located on 11 acres in Orland Park, Illinois. The showroom features more than 200,000 sq.ft. of furniture on display, with 35,000 sq.ft. dedicated to a Clearance and Outlet Center, a 10,000-sq.-ft. Mattress Center and Rug Gallery. Additional information is available at Darvin.com. Stay up to date on the latest news as a member of the Darvin social community by following us on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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