Nov 5, 2009 5:19 pm US/Central
Someone You Should Know: Founder Diane Carroll
My Joyful Heart Gives Gifts To Children In Need Through Sponsorship, Donations and Help From Volunteers
MOKENA, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Diane Carroll founded 'My Joyful Heart', an organization that gives gifts to children in need year-round.
CBS
It's not even Christmas but one suburban woman is already looking past the holidays to help young people. CBS 2's Harry Porterfield says Diane Carroll is someone you should know.
We're approaching the season to be jolly, but what happens after the season? Diane Carroll thought about that and wondered whether kids living in poverty can expect to be happy just once a year, if at all.
"I was not too surprised to find out that the children don't get anything until the next Christmas, yet their needs continue," Carroll said. "And that's when I thought, I can do something about that."
Seven years ago, Carroll founded "My Joyful Heart" to make gift-giving a year-round affair. It started in her home but quickly got bigger. Today, it operates in 4,000 square feet of donated space in the M. Cooper warehouse in Mokena.
My Joyful Heart serves 420 youngsters, ages 3 to 17, who receive gifts mainly through sponsorships, donations and help from volunteers like Barb Haase.
"I feel good. I feel like I'm making an impact on a child who might not have been recognized by anybody," Haase said.
"Every time we pack some of these things, I think about how they must feel when they get toys, that they may never have had anything before," said volunteer Barb Egner. "So many of them have never even had a birthday present."
The gifts include clothing, toys, shoes and games.
"It makes me feel great that I can help kids who are less fortunate than me, and give them something to look forward to," said volunteer Nina DiMaggio.
The gifts are shipped six times a year. These bags are going out next Tuesday, with a youngster's name on each and every one of them.
"Every time we think we won't be able to make another gift event, we are blessed with additional clothing, additional money, that will come out of people that we haven't even heard of," Carroll said.
Carroll gave up a career in the corporate world to make all of this happen.
"I've never looked back. It's been most rewarding," Carroll said. "I love the kids. To read their letters, to see their faces, it's just the best thing in the world."
Diane Carroll: generous, energetic and someone you should know.
Each year, My Joyful Heart sends out more than 3,500 gift packages to children enrolled in its program of giving.
The kids are remembered at Valentine's Day, Easter, Summer Vacation, Back-to-School, Christmas and Birthdays.
To learn how you can help My Joyful Heart,
click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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