Wheaton Woodworker Makes Handpainted 'Hope' Signs, Donates Funds

WHEATON, IL — Tom Buhmann, owner of Mypalletwall makes his living working with wood to make accent walls, shiplap walls and other home designs, but he's added a new project that's helping others and giving hope amid the new coronavirus crisis. Buhmann and his four children have been hand-making wooden "Hope" signs and have already donated over $4500 to People's Resource Center.

Buhmann told Patch he came up with the design, which features a heart and the word "Hope," when he was thinking about what he could do to keep himself and his family busy while working to help others. Buhmann said he thought he might sell five or so signs and was surprised by the overwhelming response.

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“I never had an idea it would grow this large," Buhmann told Patch. He added that he's sent signs to Wheaton, Naperville, St. Charles, Downers Grove, Geneva, Louisiana and Kansas.

Buhmann told Patch his kids are "thrilled to be part of something and using the quarantine time to turn a negative into a positive.”

He said it's also uplifting to see the signs while out on a walk. As a client told him, "We love seeing these signs on our walks and that makes us smile."

If you'd like a "Hope" sign of your own, you can send a message via the Mypalletwall Facebook page or email Tom at mypalletwall@gmail.com. He told Patch 20 percent of profits go to helping People's Resource Center.

"I get up every day and I’m motivated because I know we’re trying give hope and do something for a good cause," Buhmann said, adding, "It's just a feelgood kind of thing."