WHEATON, IL — “We feel honored. Honored to have been chosen. Thankful for the support,” Doodlebug Workshop owner Sarah Starke told Patch after the facility received a $3,251 donation from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). The donation came from DCSO’s autism patch sale.
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The sale, which involved teams, was an employee initiative, Starke explained. Teams sold patches to raise funds for research for autism and breast cancer and for veteran services. The autism patch team was made up of Captain Terri Albright, Sergeant Sean Siddiqui, Deputy Christopher Jordan, Kelly Samora and Jenn O’Keefe.
Each team worked on their personal time to sell the patches, also donating money to the Avon Breast Cancer Walk for Breast Cancer and the Folds of Honor scholarship fund.
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Starke said Doodlebug Workshop, which offers vocational training for people with disabilities, will use the funds to buy more laser cutting machines.
“We were able to purchase one earlier in the year and it has been a huge hit. The participants are learning the computer programming skills and technology end of making designs and custom orders,” Starke told Patch.
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She added, “In 2025 we will be expanding our space….We will be able to have multiple computers and laser machines working at once.”
Starke said this isn’t the first time the sheriff’s office has donated their time to Doodlebug Workshop. She said Terri Albright, one of the team members who sold the autism patches, often brings the comfort dog she works with, Julia, to the workshop.
“Julia is amazing and has made many visits to the shop to hang out with our participants. We always enjoy her company.”
In February, Doodlebug Workshop will celebrate its five-year anniversary. Inspired by her son, Alex, who has Fragile X Syndrome, Starke began the business in a one-bedroom apartment, then moved to a storefront and will soon expand to include more participants.
Residents can still buy patches from DCSO for $10 apiece while supplies last by visiting the sheriff’s office at 501 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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