Carol Stream woman reaches out to help others

To Sue Martinelli, helping others just feels right.

Even as a child she donated her weekly allowance to Jerry Lewis telethons because her parents raised her to think it only natural to assist those in need.

So when she met 91-year-old Juanita Hlas through the Humanitarian Service Project, she wanted to do as much for her as she could.

During the past two years, the relationship has evolved and Martinelli now meets with Juanita regularly to help fix up her house, run her errands or just to keep her company.

“I love the elderly and they deserve to have a good quality of life,” the 48-year-old Carol Stream woman said. “And they need to know that people care. It's what they deserve.”

Martinelli recently helped move Hlas into the assisted-living portion of Aurora Rehabilitation and Living Center.

While Hlas was living on her own, Martinelli's husband fixed and installed an air conditioner. Martinelli and her mother sometimes cooked for Hlas and brought her flowers for her birthday. They even have had friends donate items such as a vacuum for Hlas' home.

Martinelli first met Hlas two years ago as part of the Humanitarian Service Project's secret pal program. Anonymously, she sent Hlas monthly gifts that ranged from dish towels to gift cards.

As she became more involved in the Carol Stream group's senior citizen projects, she started to deliver meals during holidays.

It was then that she specifically chose Hlas, saying she wanted to deliver holiday meals to the people she had been sending gifts to.

“I see a lady who has, literally, no family,” she said. “She is the sweetest lady and well-deserving, and I truly enjoy spending time with her.”

Martinelli's charity work has not gone unnoticed. The Carol Stream group's project coordinator, Sarah Grindstaff, said Martinelli has distinguished herself by her willingness to help someone she had not met before.

“She just stands out as someone who has taken our program and gone above and beyond, taking it to a new level,” she said. “She is amazing. She's very outgoing and always looking to help.”

Grindstaff said Martinelli starts collecting toys in February to make sure she has enough gifts to give those in need during Christmas.

Hlas' neighbor and guardian, Rose Russell, said that kindness has made her job helping the 91-year-old that much easier.

“She's a godsend, that is what she is,” Russell said of Martinelli. “She's very kind, loving, compassionate, outgoing, ready and willing to help.”

The two met at Hlas' home and have struck up a friendship.

Martinelli first started increasing her charity work 11 years ago when she joined the Carol Stream Woman's Club. Years later, she joined the Humanitarian Service Project and said the group was the reason she even has a chance to help.

“I feel so strongly about what the Humanitarian Service Project provides for people,” she said. “I love what they do and for every program they have, I try to help as much as I can.”

Her desire to help, naturally, came from her parents, who never let her forget that helping others would be just as rewarding for her. Growing up in Northlake, her allowance was a small sacrifice to make and she feels the same way about the things she does to help make Hlas comfortable.

“I probably get more out of it than she does,” she said. “It brings me joy to make her happy.”

Stars of the season

<p>In this season of joy, so many of us turn our attention to others. Whom can we make happy, we ask ourselves. How can we help someone who has less than we do? </p>

<p>We're fortunate to live in communities where unheralded residents and volunteers give of their time, their energy and their talents to make our communities warmer, homier. This month, we're honoring these volunteers the coaches, the organizers, the fundraisers, the people who care even when it seems no one else does.</p>

<p>Each of them is passionate about making a difference. And each of them makes the season brighter.</p>