Covered in goodwill

SUN CITY – Every person, be it a child or adult, is entitled to certain things in their life. America is the nation where you are promised “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Many of us have what we need to be happy. But others have come upon hard times and have little—little money, food, shelter, or clothing.

Diane Naples (center) along with her friends (from left to right) Annette Hanisch, Arlene Gwozdz, Irm Niemann, and Phyllis Nevem are eager to see how many blankets have been donated already. Their goal is to raise 500 new blankets by September 30, 2010 to donate to people in need at St. Mary’s Church in Huntley, IL. (Photo by Alissa Leznek)

For the needy families that are part of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul within St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntley, they have Diane Nalpes. Diane, who is a resident of Sun City, is on a mission. She has contacts within the church and has found out that 146 families are in need of blankets to keep warm this winter. She has set a goal: collect 500 brand-new blankets from both within the Del Webb community and any other place that wants to donate.

“I started out helping those in need by organizing coat and food drives and making and passing out homemade pumpkin pies to different organizations.” Then, the projects got larger. Seven years ago, Diane, along with her family and friends, started organizing Easter baskets for the needy children in the area. They would fill them with candy, toys, and clothing. “I was happy to help out. It made me feel good. It made me more humble,” Diane said.

Diane comes from a large family and at times went through difficult periods herself, but there were always people who were willing to help her out, whether it was family, friends, or her church. Diane has always remembered this and is returning her gratitude by helping others. “People need to remember that we are blessed with what we have, and we must share.”

Diane, who works at the CAM Desk in the Prairie Lodge and at Osco, is dedicating both her time and money in organizing a Blanket Drive. She is asking people to donated new blankets in all sizes. You can drop off your donation in the lobby of the Arcadia Condominiums. Diane requests that you put your name and address on the blanket, and a note if you would like a receipt sent to you for income tax purposes. Diane shows her appreciation of each donation by writing a thank you note to each donor.

The feeling of giving is an inspiration to others that helps Diane in her mission. Arlene Gwozdz has helped put together Easter Baskets. “Diane is a great inspiration, a wonderful leader who likes to guide. Everyone wants to participate and help out with Diane’s visions,” said Gwozdz. Friend and neighbor Annette Hanisch agrees: “Diane is wonderful. More people in the world should be as charitable.”

The feelings of accomplishment for all the hard work that Diane and her helpers do comes when she receives letters from the sponsors telling her the families are grateful for their items. A celebration party is also held for everyone who was involved with the project. There is a sense of pride, a sense of knowing that you helped out someone in need, a sense of doing something now in order to help out the world later and to make it a better place. The Blanket Drive began August 17 and will end September 30. The blankets can be dropped off in the lobby of the Arcadia Condominiums. If you have questions, Diane can be contacted at 224-569-6055.

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