Community Corner

Faces of Westport: Joanne Heller, Volunteer Extraordinaire

Joanne Heller believes in giving back to her community.

Joanne Heller believes in giving back to her community.

"We're so lucky to have what we have, to live where we live -- I just want to give back," she said.

The longtime Westport resident is a prime example of community volunteerism. In the 20 years her family has lived in town, Heller has been a Girl Scout troop leader, president of the Westport Young Women's League, a member of the National Charity League, coordinator of the Mad Hatter Tea Party fundraiser for the former Beth El Recovery Center in Bridgeport, and an active PTA member.

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It all began in Heller's early days in Westport. She and her husband, Grant, had a 2-year-old daughter, another child on the way, and careers. Heller wanted to meet people -- and the Westport Young Women's League provided that opportunity.

"That was the start of that," Heller said. She served on the executive board of the Young Women's League for nine years, and as president from 2004 - 2005. During her time as president, Heller coordinated the construction of the Compo Beach playground.

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Heller juggled motherhood, a fulltime job, and her many forays into volunteerism for a decade, before she retired from her position at ADP and made giving back her career.

How does one keep up with all the responsibilities?  

"It's just a matter of keeping organized," Heller said.

She's also got the support of her husband and three children -- rising Staples High School senior Grant, Keane State College sophomore Katie, and Bonnie, who graduated earlier this year from Connecticut College.

"What keeps people from doing things -- someone's not there to support and encourage them," Heller said -- her family provides the impetus for volunteerism. 

She supports her children in doing the same. Bonnie chaired Connecticut College's Relay for Life this year, and achieved a Girl Scout Gold Award (the equivalent of the Boy Scouts' Eagle rank). Grant helps his mother with the Minuteman Race, for which Heller serves as course director.

In her free time, Heller enjoys her playing with her two black labs (Regan and Bridget), knitting, and gardening.

"I like creating things, making things grow," she said.

The spare time doesn't last long, though. Heller recently the board of A Better Chance, a national organization with a Westport branch that houses disadvantaged teen boys from all over the country and sends them to Staples High School.

"When I'm giving back, it feels good," Heller said.  "You're just doing something that makes a difference."


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