Our team from Evertree Insurance Services in Frankfort had a wonderful experience volunteering with My Joyful Heart! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and showed us just how impactful their work is. We helped pack hygiene kits, sorted clothing donations, and moved supplies in the warehouse. Most importantly, we all left with a deeper appreciation for the critical support they provide to over 1,200 low-income children in our local area. It was especially meaningful to see how much care goes into meeting each child’s individual needs - from towels and deodorant to school supplies and bedding. The entire experience was well-organized and deeply rewarding.Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something so important and we look forward to coming back!
My Joyful Heart is full of caring, committed people who faithfully serve precious children and are amazing at communicating needs and gratitude with donors. They are super helpful in coordinating donation drop offs, as well as quickly responding with sincere gratitude. This organization is a blessing to the children it serves, as well as the donors who can be part of such an important and impactful program. Thank you for all you do.
My Joyful Heart is one of the busiest charities helping underprivileged children in the Chicagoland area. The volunteers work endless hours. It is a faith based charity for over 1000 children. I’m honored to donate new clothing and toiletries for the kids and of course toys and books. Over 1000 children is truly a huge task.
They are doing fantastic with helping underprivileged children, 1200 to be exact. Erin, the director,is the kindest and hardest working person I know. I am so happy I can donate to help for these kids and to help Erin with her
You can not rate this organization at 5 stars. There should be 5 more stars for the rating. My wife started donating to MJH when Diane Carroll first started this program. We have been blessed to know the people at MJH and to get to know some of the children that MJH has sponsored. Sorry to hear that Diane is retiring but I know Erin and the staff will continue the fine work because they care.
As a more recent donor to My Joyful Heart, I was impressed by the My Joyful Heart's journey from a rather humble beginning to a well-regarded non-profit organization. Donors can be assured that whatever kind of donation they make -- monetary or in-kind -- it will be directed and put to use by the very children who need it. When I make a donation, I try to inform others about MJH so they too can help this cause.
Many people in the Chicago suburbs may not realize that there are children in their own communities who may not have basic necessities and essentials for daily life. This is where My Joyful Heart so fills a need. MJH functions as a safety net for these children by closing up loopholes and weaving together a network of donors, volunteer, sponsors and intermediaries for the network's continuity. As obvious as this need seems, organizations like this are not that common.
With 17 years of successes , MJH has established a path and process that other nonprofits can follow and use as a pattern. These successes have been made possible by the leadership and commitment of Diane, her staff and a wonderful group of volunteers.
Other MJH reviews on this site explain the value of their work and the benefits to the children. With MJH helping our community's children, they/we are helping the entire community as well!
My joyful heart is a unique, non-profit organization that helps children who are in need of essential items that other people, like myself, taken for granted.
What child that you know would ask for a toothbrush of their own for Christmas?
These children truly need help throughout the year and that Is what My Joyful Heart does. They provide the children with 5 gift event bags plus a special birthday gift throughout the year. Children’s names are provided thru schools and churches. Each bag is packed for each individual child......clothing in their size, specials needs, toiletries, coats, school supplies and so, so many other items are included In these bags throughout the year.
The staff and volunteers genuinely care about these children.
My Joyful Heart started with 2 children. They now have 1,000+ in their program!
The care and love that goes into each individual child’s gift event bag is amazing.
The children are amazed and thankful that someone they don’t even know cares so much about them. This kindness has changed their lives.....giving them Hope in this troubled world.
I am a sponsor and try to help My Joyful Heart as much as I can as I believe with all my heart in this non-profit organization.
It truly makes My Heart Joyful and also the hearts of the children in the program.
I was a volunteer & sponsor for My Joyful Heart for many years, witnessing the joy it brought to all of the children, not to mention the joy it brings us as a volunteer. I felt blessed to be volunteering & working with such kind and generous people. Since moving out of state, I can no longer volunteer at My Joyful Heart but I continue to sponsor a child, as well as keeping up with the daily events.
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I have been involved with My Joyful Heart for several years, not only as a volunteer but also as a sponsor. I feel blessed to be a part of this Christian based charity that helps so many children locally. Many of the schools have informed Diane of how much better the children are doing because of My Joyful Heart's involvement in their lives. The children are so appreciative of what the charity provides them, as is evidenced by the thank you notes they are asked to write to their sponsors.
Donna DiMaggio
I've been a supporter of My Joyful Heart for a number of years. I sponsor one of their children. It's a wonderful organization doing good things for disadvantaged children. They are my #1 non-profit. Their warehouse filled with donations is heartwarming to see the care of donations going to these various kids. Our Rotary club (www.rotarychicagoohare.org) also sponsors two children.
My Joyful Heart is a WONDERFUL ministry, reaching children with the love of Jesus. Our women's ministry at Parker Road Bible Church in Mokena, IL, wanted to come alongside this wonderful organization and gather much-needed items that we all take for granted such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and wash cloths. It was our joy and privilege to be a part of this amazing outreach, knowing that all these items will be given with love and encouragement to children in the surrounding areas. Diane's testimony of how this all began is truly stupendous. Everyone should hear how My Joyful Heart began.
We support My Joyful Heart with donations because it is a great local charity that really cares, and loves to hear news of a child's life that is improving because of the extra attention.
The children improve in their lives and with their education because they feel that someone is always there caring about them and remembering things such as their birthdays and holidays, as well as their basic needs and wants.
We also appreciate that My Joyful Heart supports the children with healthy hygiene products so that the child can feel better about themselves and do better for themselves.
This organization has been an answer to prayer for so many families and I am very pleased I can be a part of it by donating.
My Joyful Heart does amazing work with the underprivileged in the area. I became involved because of the commitment of a good friend describing the work this non-profit does for children who are less fortunate.
They truly love children and are concerned for their everyday life.
This is a very organized group who uses donations of gifts and money with care.
Our small company is sponsoring a child. We are happy to reach out in our community to help lift up a child.
LinJen Promotions
They take care of many less fortunate children and familes . it is truely a good cause. I know when I donate my items, that My Joyful Heart is giving them to kids and families that appreciate it and cherish what they are helping them with.
There is an angel among us in Diane Carroll. Her vision of wanting to help one child and has grown exponentially to providing assistance for nearly 1000 children in the southern Chicago suburbs. I have personally had the pleasure of helping with some of the initiatives such as school supply drive, hygiene packs, Christmas gifts, etc. It is easy to be a corporate sponsor, donor, and volunteer for this organization because everyone is passionate about the cause and extremely grateful for any assistance provided. The joy that I get from helping this organization is amazing. My sons have also volunteered and it has helped them to appreciate their role as being stewards to help those less fortunate. My Joyful Heart is a fantastic reminder that one person really can make a difference. Investing in our youth and providing the basics really helps to empower the underprivileged youth and build self-esteem. I highly recommend that you consider donating your time and resources to My Joyful Heart.....the return on your investment is amazing!
This organization provides support for children in need. Donating and volunteering allow you to help them directly. You know that what you are doing directly affects these children in a very positive way!
My Joyful Heart is the only non-profit children's charity that I trust every dollar and every
donation goes directly towards helping kids. The children in the program receive every day necessities like hygiene, clothing, shoes, socks, underwear, books, school supplies, and more and it is all made possible by every day people (the organization's founder, her volunteers, donors, local businesses). This is a charity that is TRULY making a difference!!!!
Diane Carroll touched our hearts from the first time we meant her. The story of how she started the organization and what she does for so many need children is amazing. It is our pleasure to help My Joyful Heart any way we can.
What a wonderful organization! My company has donated time, money and supplies to this organization and have seen first hand the kids that they help. Great people doing God's work!
My Joyful Heart is a great organization that works to provide children with basic necessities that we take for granted. Imaging having a birthday with no gift, christmas with nothing to celebrate and trying to succeed in school with no supplies. I as a mother cannot imagine that and my heart breaks for these children. I have volunteered for the past few years and see the hard work and dedication of this organization. Sadly each year the needs grow for children who have less. If you can donate to this cause I promise your donation is FOR THE CHILDREN. For those who have and continue to donate May God Bless You Abundantly
I contacted Diane Carroll several years ago after reading an article in the paper about how she sponsored a couple of kids at Christmas time through the Sun Times. She followed up on the gifts she gave at Christmas and decided to give these kids more gifts throughout the year to let them know they were remembered. This led to 19 kids and in 2013, she'll probably have 600 kids through My Joyful Heart, the organization she founded 10 years ago. As a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare, we are able to sponsor a couple of kids plus we have donated back to school supplies, blankets donated by American Airlines and amenity kits donated by United Airlines. This year we were able to donate over $1000 in selling Dunkin Donuts coffee for one of their fund-raisers. I've made several trips to their Mokena Warehouse and am impressed with Diane's organizational skills. MJH gives gifts several times a year which gives hope and love to all their kids. Our Rotary Club and myself look forward to helping in the future.