Oak Forest, IL — After three months of planning, organizing, and collecting, Oak Forest High School senior Tanya Wiseman celebrated the successful conclusion of a district-wide Winter Shoe Drive that brought in over 1,000 pairs of shoes to support children living with congenital heart disease.
On Tuesday, April 23, a box truck arrived at Oak Forest High School to pick up 44 bags of donated shoes—rounded up to 50 bags in spirit—for the Giving Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding less invasive treatments for children with congenital heart disease. The initiative was part of the Foundation's Leading with Heart program, which fosters leadership and philanthropy among high school students.
“It feels immensely rewarding,” said Wiseman. “With the support of Ms. Pecka, Ms. Reid, Mr. Boniface, and all the students, we were able to make a positive impact—not only by helping people in need, but also by saving shoes from landfills and raising money for a cause close to my heart.”
The drive, which ran from January through March, engaged students and staff across District 228, with active participation from National Honor Society (NHS) chapters at each school. At Oak Forest High School, the effort was led by the Interact Club, with additional support from DECA, which helped store and transport the collected shoes.
Kerry Pecka, Oak Forest Interact Club Advisor, praised Tanya’s dedication and leadership:
“She was in here on her off hours almost every day, sorting through shoes, organizing donations—even when it meant doing the heavy lifting alone. Tanya did all the outreach, planning, and promotion. We were just here to support her incredible work.”
Pecka added that Tanya’s initiative created a ripple effect across the school:
“She’s inspired other students to get involved with Leading with Heart. It’s an amazing organization for teens, and Tanya’s passion for medicine and service makes her a perfect fit.”
The Giving Heart Foundation raises funds to support doctors working on innovative treatments for children with congenital heart disease. Through the Leading with Heart program, students like Tanya gain firsthand experience in service-based leadership while raising awareness for critical medical needs.
As Tanya prepares to graduate this spring, she reflected on the impact she hopes to leave behind:
“I like to think I’ve made a positive impact over the past four years. It’s sad to leave, but I’m grateful to finish high school with something meaningful that brought people together for a good cause.”