My Joyful Heart

Volunteering with friendly staff and donating gently used items from home is easy.

My Joyful Heart is a great non-profit organization‼️ I love how they give back to different communities to help out schools and their students. The support/donations they receive all over is very much appreciated. I got the pleasure to help out there with 2 of my students and it was amazing. Continue to do great for the communities.

I enjoyed my experience. The staff were very informative & friendly. A great opportunity to volunteer and I will do it again.

I recently joined the Leading With Heart program. I have heard amazing things about how much leadership skills and confidence members have gained from being apart of the program and how fulfilling it is to work with the philanthropy.

I always have an amazing time helping out at My Joyful Heart. The other volunteers are extremely friendly and the staff is an absolute joy to work for. I love hearing the other volunteers stories and knowing that I am helping kids in my surrounding area.

It's a blessing to volunteer with such caring and dedicated people.

I started volunteering at My Joyful Heart two years ago. This organization is amazing. From my first day of service I have felt appreciated. I can volunteer on the days I want and the staff provides training and support for all tasks. I have met some wonderful new friends volunteering at My Joyful Heart as well. It is a great place to volunteer.

Everything about My Joyful Heart is truly amazing! From its backstory of its founder, Diane, beginning it in her own basement helping a few needy school children to today working out of a large warehouse servicing over 1200 students in the Chicagoland area! We have an amazing group of women who manage this organization as well as many wonderful volunteers giving of their time on a daily basis. Five times a year each child is provided with a large bag of basic necessities as well as some “wants”. These include everything from clothes, school supplies, toiletries to toys, birthday gifts, treats and so much more!
I think we as volunteers get just as much joy shopping for/packing these goodies as the students who receive them. I love volunteering for My Joyful Heart!

Volunteering here for years, so seeing first hand My Joyful Heart organization is quite impressive . Their heart and the volunteers hearts are in the right place for the children in need. They think of everything need and extra for these children. I am proud to be a volunteer at MJH

I had the opportunity to volunteer with My Joyful Heart recently. The organization is very organized and run by caring people. I felt like the work I did was meaningful and would make an impact on the families they serve. I hope to volunteer more time with them soon.

Volunteering at My Joyful Heart was a great experience. The staff is very kind and caring. They have passion about helping others. The staff ensures that the children are receiving items that are in great condition. It is a true blessing to see the amount of donations and support the organization receives. I can assure you that donations are well handled. I am so glad I was able to be a part of helping children in need and I will be volunteering again in the future.

My Joyful heart is such a wonderful organization. I was lucky enough to bring my students there to volunteer and have an opportunity to give back to the community. My students really enjoyed being able to help others in need. The staff there are welcoming, kind, generous and genuine.

My Joyful Heart provides our students with very generous gifts and the parents are very grateful each time one of the bags is delivered to their child. The bags provide students with both essentials and fun items that they will enjoy. They work hard to ensure that the items are age appropriate and developmentally appropriate for our children. They even include siblings that may not necessarily be a part of our program, but they allow the parents to apply for them as well.
We have had a working relationship with MJH for about 10 years at this point. Thank you for everything!

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 such a blessing! This is a very heartful organization with wonderful workers. I am blessed to be able to be a part in volunteering. What they do for these beautiful kids warms my heart! God bless you all at My Joyful Heart organization!♥️

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.

I like sorting through the boxes and finding donations that i know will benefit the children. Its a great place for middle schoolers like me to bring in their friends to help serve other kids together!

Great community of volunteers

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

Continue serving the children, you are awesome and doing God's work!!

They care about the spiritual growth of the child and put their hearts into every aspect of the organization.

My Joyful Heart provides needed items to deserving children who have been identified by faculty at their schools. Personalized bags are discreetly distributed by school staff.

MJH individualizes support for kids in need. They share the love of Christ in everything they do.

Had a great time bonding with my water polo team while helping children in need! this is the second time i’ve been here and I love it. people are wonderful!

I volunteered with my team and it was very organized and a fun team bonding experience

I have been volunteering at my joyful heart since I was 10 years old. It used to be a simple family activity that my siblings and I would look forward to because of the positive and fun environment! Now that I’m a little older, I love helping out at My Joyful Heart anyway I can, and my experience is always so amazing!!

I began helping My Joyful Heart years ago when my daughter was young and Diane Carroll founder an executive director was running My Joyful Heart. My daughter and I spent time filling backpacks for students that were in need. The minute you walked into My Joyful Heart you felt the love and faith that went into organizing and fulfilling the needs for disadvantaged children. We have periodically come back to help shop and fill backpacks. Erin Burns the Director of Operations has continued to make an impact and become a positive influence for these children. They have both worked tirelessly to continue growing the program. When I walk into the building, it amazes me how organized and smoothly the process is to either shop, fill backpacks, or help support an event. I have been a teacher for 30 years and I know how one person can make a difference in a child's life and My Joyful Heart has made a difference in so many lives. I have no doubt that God has had a hand in this.

Volunteering at My Joyful Heart has given me the opportunity to give back to the community. MJH serves our community in such a compassionate and useful way.

My Joyful Heart is amazing. Our school district has been so blessed to receive the help and support of student's need. We appreciate you all more than you will ever know. Thank you to all the staff.

I have been the coordinator for our group for several years now. Information from My Joyful Heart has always been clear and timely. Their heart for children shines through in everything they do. Our students have truly been blessed by the supplies and special gifts given. Thank you!

I am not able to volunteer on a regular basis but whenever I go to My Joyful Heart to volunteer, I am welcomed warmly, explained in a very patient way what I am to do, and my questions are answered in such a patient manner! I have brought my granddaughters with me on several occasions so that they can experience serving others who are not as fortunate as they are, and they thoroughly enjoy the time they spend there. I cannot say enough about this organization, the leaders and staff and the other selfless volunteers!

I am a teen volunteer and came here to fill some service hours for NJHS. I was amazed to see how large the warehouse was and the amount of people that are being served. It is an experience to help others while also learning communication skills in the real world. I will be back to help out again!

Great nonprofit! You can tell they really have a heart for the people they are serving.

Amazing serving experience. I came with my small group and I plan to go again soon with more friends and would like to bring my kids along to serve as well. So glad I found this place and will tell more about their mission!

My Joyful Heart has provided our students with SO many things - not only the tangible goods that they need or want, but with the much needed intangibles as well! These include love, hope, and inspiration! Our children have expressed how grateful they are when receiving the bags from My Joyful Heart (and I mean they are jumping for joy each time they see me with a bag!). They have excitedly talked with me about the gifts they receive but also the special messages included in their bags! My Joyful Heart shares inspiring messages with our students and uplifts them with loving words to show them how much they are cared for by others! I am so thankful to be partnering with this wonderfully caring non-profit organization! Thank you for ALL you do for our students and for SO many others as well! Cheers to you, My Joyful Heart!!

I have had great experiences volunteering with My Joyful Heart. The organization is generous, understanding, and impactful in the lives of the children it serves and the people who help. With a variety of events aimed at providing essentials for Chicagoland children in need, this nonprofit goes above and beyond to ensure that each child receives the items they need and want most. My favorite thing about volunteering for this organization is personalizing the donations based on the child's file. These files include small but intimate details, like the child's favorite color, favorite sport, or favorite school subject, that volunteers can use to personalize the gift bag. In this way, My Joyful Heart shows each child that they are unique, special, and worthy of the gifts they're receiving. I wholeheartedly recommend this organization to anyone interested in helping the Chicagoland community.

Joyful Heart has really been instrumental in ensuring that our students received some basic essentials. Through their efforts some of the social emotional needs were met. Students also had the opportunity to thank the organization for their efforts. Writing thank you notes helped with character education and writing.

I have volunteered at My Joyful Heart for over 5 year’s.
It continues to amaze me at the overwhelming generosity of the people who want to help this organization continue this endeavor!
It is what makes our hearts ������ truly Joyful.

My Joyful Heart has been a blessing to our students. They have donated coats, shoes, gift cards, and so many other things to our students. They have brought a smile to so many students in our school district. It is a pleasure to work with the ladies at My Joyful Heart because they are so pleasant. Thanks so much for what you do for children. We really appreciate you and you really do bring joy to the hearts of the children. Again, thank you!!!!

I first heard of My Joyful Heart from a neighbor. While only serving for a couple of years now, it is amazing to see how much this organization continues to grow! Reading the needs of these children and being able to fulfill most of them truly brings joy to my heart. It is a privilege to serve these precious kids and I hope that they feel loved through the items that they receive. Jesus, being our example, came to serve and not be served and I’m happy to be able to help in any way I can. All the people here share the same goal…. to let the children know they are loved. God is truly in this place!

What an amazing opportunity to make a child feel special and important! So much care is put into choosing gifts for these children at My Joyful Heart while meeting some of their needs. Being part of serving in this ministry, even for a few hours a week, is a blessing. The atmosphere is friendly and warm.

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.

My Joyful Heart (MJH) has been a Godsend for Oak Lawn - Hometown School District 123. In addition to providing tremendous gift bags to the neediest children in the district; it is one of the pillars of our outreach strategy for our D123 Family + Community Resource Network (FCRN). The attraction and face-to-face engagement of the MJH gift bag distribution helps build relationships with families who have challenges in many areas and helps build trust to engage families with additional community services opportunities. The energy, commitment, professionalism and love is evident with every interaction with My Joyful Heart. Thank you, Diane and staff; you folks are AWESOME!!

I started volunteering for this organiztion when they only had a few children. They are now helping of 1100 children in the chicago area and suburbs by giving them 5 gift bags a year. The bags contain hygine products, back to school supplies, clothes, books, games, pillows, winter coats and more depending on the time of year. There are only two employees and the rest is all volunteer workers. Each gift bag also contains a note letting them know someone cares and is thinkng about them. They even get a special bag when it is ther birthday with clothes, toys, candy and even sometimes a cake mix with a can of icing.

This is a great place to spend time volunteering. The people are friendly and efficient and organized. They reach so many children in need.

The people at My Joyful Heart are amazing! We try to volunteer there as much as possible because of the great things they do to help the children in need. I strongly recommend donating and volunteering for this non-profit!

My Joyful Heart is the best program. They have given our students so much over the years. They recieve essential items that they normally would not have such as bookings, school supplies, and Christmas gifts. They also get school uniforms and personal items that are much needed.

Our students see the bags and the reaction that they give is amazing. They whisper with excitement when they see the bags and can't wait to see the gifts that they have recieved.

They are overjoyed and love to write thank you notes. The items they recieve are much needed by them and the family.

I volunteered many years ago with My Joyful Heart and as soon as I had some free time in my schedule, it was an activity I just had to go back to regularly. The NFP as a whole is very well run and the volunteers are absolutely amazing. No one is there to just be, they are there to serve and they do with joyful hearts. I would encourage anyone who has time to give or a dollar to share to consider My Joyful Heart as the beneficiary. They are an excellent example of stewardship and goodness and every single thing they do is for the children they serve.

My Joyful heart has service our youth ministry for over 7 years. We are so fortunate to have them as an integral part of the community. Our youth look forward to receiving their gift bags 5 to 6 times a year. My Joyful heart brings much joy and happiness to the lives of our children. We appreciate all of the love and support they give us. The joy we feel as youth leaders to know that our children need are being met with school supplies, clothes, books, personal hygiene, toys etc. is priceless. So we thank My Joyful Heart for all that you do for our children.

My Joyful Heart provides gifts and necessities for over 150 students in our school. This program is so amazing and helps change the life of each and every child that receives these gifts. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity! We are so blessed to have such a great organization that works with us to provide the things that our students need the most. Thank you 100 times over! WE are so grateful to be recipients of these gifts.

My Joyful Heart has donated bags to the students at my school and I am truly appreciative. The organization and everyone who works for it is kind, caring and thoughtful. Their willingness to help is unmeasurable. You have touched the lives' of many families and students who are really deserving and needy. Thank you!!!!

My Joyful Heart has been such a great blessing to Prairie Hills Junior High and the district as a whole. They have helped many of our students receive coats, gloves, and basic necessities that they would not have received. The staff is very welcoming and is always willing to lead a helping hand. Thank you so much for the work you do.

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.

As a volunteer, I feel privileged to work for this organiztion. I've seen 1st hand the work and subsequent joy experiened by myself, my fellow volunteers and the children at the receiving end of this great organization. We are a family helping those less fortunate.

I came to volunteer and support the ladies at Joyful Heart through a church tea. I am recently retired so I was looking for ways to give back to this community my children grew up in. Joyful Heart is a christian based organization giving to those children in dire need. As I started volunteering with them, I could see how this organization works to provide for underprivileged children that sometimes are living in their cars. This has been a very rewarding experience for me. I encourage others to join. Think of the many blessings your children have. These children have the blessing of the Joyful Heart organization which provides coats, mittens, hats, tolietries, underwear, socks, shoes and so much more. Bring your joyful heart and come dedicate some time to this very important cause.

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 invited my joyful heart to our church to tell us about their wonderful Ministry to the children in the area. It just filled my heart. I crochet but I'm tired of crocheting baby blankets and whatever so I thought I know I can help. So I started crocheting children's hats and donating them to my joyful heart. My friends and family have donated yarn to me to do it and it just fills my heart to know that something I can do to be a partner with this great organization. I am blessed

I have attended several fundraisers for this organization and each time learn more about the great work that they do. Every person who stops by to see what they do are so impressed by the organization and the people who dedicate their time. The children are so grateful for being remembered throughout the year. I find this aspect most impressive since many charities only help at Christmas time. Check out their website and learn more! And attend the Bunco fundraiser. It is such a blast!!

As a volunteer I am impressed with their devotion to children in need.

I love being able to help out at My Joyful Heart, it’s a wonderful organization filled with wonderful people doing wonderful things for children.

My Joyful Heart does so much for the community, providing for kids that are so joyful to receive their services!

Absolutely amazing group who respond to needs of children in our communities. As a school social worker of 30 plus years in the south suburbs, this is the first agency I've encountered who actively seek out children in need and follow up to provide those same children with whatever is requested to meet basic needs. The staff are a joy, (no pun intended), to work with, responding promptly to our requests. God bless My Joyful Heart, volunteers and all who donate to their agency.

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.

My Joyful Heart (MJH) is an organization of caring people working to ease the burden of financial hardships or homelessness.
Through the help of sponsors and donations, MJ H provides for the everyday needs of it's children in need. Each child is lovingly provided for based on age, grade and circumstance. This includes providing back to school items, birthday bags and clothing & hygiene necessities. This 'family' of volunteers try to provide personalized goodies, i.e., items in their favorite colors, favorite games and wish list requests. It's truly a gift from the heart.

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

I have worked with My Joyful Heart for several years. The time and dedication that the organization devotes to helping underprivileged children is truly inspirational.

My Joyful Heart has been serving our children for at least seven years. They are efficient and thorough, very professional. But beyond all that, they seem to care about the individual child. Diane Carroll, their director, often asks specific questions about children and how their home or school situation is faring. The bags prepared for the students are thoughtfully put together and fitting for their age and/or size. The students are always so excited when a new bag is coming. Thank you, My Joyful Heart!

My Joyful Heart is the most organized charity for which I have ever volunteered. It provides many items to help school children succeed even while they have need of many everyday supplies that families not in need take for granted. Some of the basic needs that are given are hygiene, school, and clothing supplies. Because of business, as well as individual donations, My Joyful Heart is also able to add a bit of joy with toys, jewelry and books. In letters of gratitude from school staff and children themselves I am amazed to find appreciation and bewilderment that people who do not know the children are willing to help them and send note of encouragement.

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!

I am a corporate donor and volunteer. We have vetted out many charities and My Joyful Heart is one of our top choices for partnering with. We have found them to have a direct and meaningful impact to the immediate communities we are located in. They also support our goals of benefitting education and poverty with their providing basic needs for disadvantaged school children. Additionally, we like that they have a variety of needs that allow us to spread out drives and contributions to not all be around the holidays. This organization does a lot with a little and really cares about helping kids and improving the culture of our communities.

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!

What do you say about an organization that's only goal is to love children.
I have had the pleasure of working with My Joyful Heart for the past 4 years.
We have a Special Recreation program entitled Volunteering in the Village which works with people that have intellectual disabilities. We volunteer with my Joyful Heart in a number of ways. We help prepare packets and gifts for their students. This may not seem like a lot but the pride my group receives letting children know they are loved and cared about fills each of us with hope. Each child that receives these gifts are given dignity and encouragement.

For me being a volunteer I have received much more than I have given. The program in helping these children in need is one that is close to my heart. Children should not have to worry. The gift bags that I Help pack to send to the children may not be of great value to most but to them it could be life changing. I am so grateful to have found this wonderful group. It is so fulfilling. Hopefully, I am making a small difference in someone's life.

As a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Orland Park, I found the caring supporting nature of the mostly volunteer staff, to be almost overwhelming! The dedication to serving those in need is EVERYWHERE within the organization! God has truly blessed those who have had the opportunity to provide either products and assist in the function of caring! You truly are transforming the lives of the school children you serve! Allen De

My Joyful Heart is a compassionate, dedicated, and generous organization! They work hard all year to make sure our students receive gifts and basic necessities for all the holidays throughout the year. My Joyful Heart has made such an impact on our students, their families, and our school community. We are so proud to be included in their program! Thank you!

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

My Joyful Heart is almost special faith-based organization that blesses so many children! I feel that it has blessed my life , too by allowing me to help in a small way by volunteering and sponsoring a most wonderful little girl. They have proven that all things are possible with God…and a Joyful Heart!

My Joyful Heart is a wonderful organization that truly makes an impact on the lives of the impoverished children in the greater Chicagoland area. I have always looked forward to and continue to love volunteering there. I really feel like I am making a difference in these children's lives. There is such a great atmosphere at My Joyful Heart with Diane and her dedicated staff and volunteers. It is simply an amazing non-profit.

I have been involved with My Joyful Heart for many years and I have seen first hand the wonderful work they do! Jesus is our CEO and with Him, everything is possible! MJH gives gifts of hygiene, school supplies, clothing, books and toys to all the 700+ children in the program 5 times a year, plus a special birthday gift. Through the generosity of our donors and sponsors, MJH has a beautiful inventory of these items and every single child is "shopped for" individually. They are given clothing in their favorite colors and toys and books that they are interested in. This organization is run almost entirely on volunteer help -- there are only two paid people on staff at the present. God has been good to us and has allowed us to be a blessing to so many children. My Joyful Heart is truly a worthy organization!

My Joyful Heart is an amazing children's charity that helps kids around the Chicago area. I've seen the positive impact it has on the kids in the program and hope to continue volunteering with them for years to come.

The awesome people behind this charity are what makes it so special. Each child in the program is treated as an individual and receives items that are most needed -- like shoes, food or a winter coat in our frigid Chicago winters.

As an added bonus -- volunteering here is fun! It's a great group of people who genuinely care about each other and the children we serve.

I'm grateful for Diane Carroll for creating My Joyful Heart because it truly is a joyful place. We bring hope to the kids who need it most.

I am a teacher in a special needs classroom. I found out about My Joyful Heart 3 years ago. They have helped the students in my classroom get many things they need and also want. I am very grateful for their hard work and how much they love the children and families they serve. I am very appreciative. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Gwen Cole

I have been a volunteer for several years. I have seen this amazing program grow each year. It is inspriing to see the results of volunteers that want to make a difference. I was overwhelmed with the amount of love and compassion that is delivered with each gift event. Many hands doing "WWJD"...what would Jesus do. I plan on continuing giving my support, by sponsoring a child, donating my time and speading the good word of the results that this organization produces. Diane Carroll has touched many and I am proud to be a part of her "heartbeats" team. God Bless My Joyful Heart ~ you provide hope and many, many smiles!!

Volunteering at My Joyful Heart has been one of the best experiences of my life. My family was looking for a volunteering opportunity when a friend told us about MJH. Once we met Diane and saw how much she cares for the children her organization serves, we knew we had found the right place. From the dedicated staff and volunteers who have become our friends to the children we've come to "know" by putting together their gift bags, we feel we have received more from MJH than we have given. Truly, this is an organization that deeply cares about the children in its program.

I was a teacher at a school where the students received "Gift Bags" from My Joyful Heart. The students couldnot wait to receive their items. Diane Carroll and her volunteers work tirelessly to make sure the needs of all the students are met. She is really making a diffeence in the lives of these students. My Joyful Heart is an Amazing Organization! I am proud to be a part of it. Barb M.

I've been involved with My Joyful Heart for about a year and I've never met a more dedicated group of people who truly care for the children they serve. I feel blessed to be associated with My Joyful Heart

I've been with My Joyful Heart now for 4 years.......I'm impressed withthe process that we do for each of the six gift events......we have a chart on each child....tellling us what their immediate needs are,,,their favorite color....their sizes, what they are interested in what is on their wish list...etc........so when the volunteers get the chart they "shop" in our aisles for what the child likes and needs.....each child gets 2 books each event and we try to give them something on the subjest they are interested in....encourage the reeding process of each child........we always try to give them something on the wish list each year if we have it in our stock......they get all the necessary needs throughout the year.....and a Birthday gift also.......When I pack these bags I think how lucky the children are to be in this program.......new clothes , back pack full of school supplies, new pillow and blanket, coat and shoes....it goes on and on .......I wish I could see the smile on their faces when they open our gift bags........

When my children started going to our local school, I joined the PTA and was shocked to find children living in and below poverty. As I watched to news with all the violence, mostly between children, I wondered what I could do to change this situation. When I found MJH I knew this was it. This was the was to reach into these areas with Gods love and change the situation as only He can. The social workers find these children who are truly in need. They work with the families and they know each situation so it is not abused. There are only a couple of paid workers so most of the money goes to the kids. After meeting Diane I know she is dedicated to these children as I have never seen before. I am very thankful to be involved in something so wonderful.

Our students have been supported through My Joyful Heart for two years now. Our students have received items that they need at the most crucial times of their lives. The students have been so grateful for the gifts and the difference that it has made has been amazing. We are not always able to provide items such as hygiene supplies, clothing, and leisure items and My Joyful Heart has done this for us! I can't say enough about Diane Carroll for the work that she does and the volunteers are outstanding! Our students wanted to give back and so they supported their own campaign to raise items that were needed for My Joyful Heart and they got to deliver those items to the My Joyful Heart offices at the end of their events. Thank you from the entire school community at Ray Graham Training Center High School!!

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.

I'm a school social worker at a local school. Our students come from 4 different and diverse communities, 85% of our students come from poverty. My Joyful Heart has been involved with our students for several years. Each year, Diane Carroll reaches out and takes on more of our students. My Joyful Heart represent true joyful hearts when our students receive their " gift bags". But it's not just about the gifts My Joyful Heart provides to our students, it's about the love they feel knowing that people in our communities care about them. My Joyful Heart is an amazing agency!

I found this charity by seeing them featured on Harry Porterfield's Someone You Should Know back in 2009. I immediately knew I wanted to help because My Joyful Heart 1) helps children and 2) was helping local kids in my community. I became a regular volunteer after I found out that 95% of all donations go directly to the kids -- My Joyful Heart purchases and delivers school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, toys, books, and much, much more. All in all, a great charity that focuses on letting the kids in the program know that they are not forgotten in our busy world that often overlooks these shining stars simply due to their unfortunate poverty. I am proud to continue my volunteer contributions and encourage everyone reading to volunteer, sponsor a child, or simply make a quick donation at www.myjoyfulheart.org to help the children in the program.