OVIEDO, Fla. — The kids are what make “Baby DJ” so important for this week’s Everyday Hero, Helen Murphy. For nearly a decade she has been volunteering her time to make sure kids have toys under the tree to unwrap on Christmas morning.

What You Need To Know

  • Helen Murphy, who has been volunteering with Baby DJ for nearly a decade, says she got involved to help those who are less fortunate and to ensure that you children have presents for Christmas morning
  • Baby DJ was founded by radio host Johnny Magic more than 30 years ago to help provide toys for those in need during the holiday season. Each year, parents write letters to Baby DJ, asking for toys to help make Christmas brighter for their children
  • Murphy is one of more than 700 volunteers helping to keep the efforts going strong

“Baby DJ is about the kids. It’s about helping families that are less fortunate," Murphy said. "They may have had something happen recently in their life. They could have had fire or loss of employment or whatever, but it is all about making sure the kids have Christmas, something to wake up to in the morning."

She is one of more than 700 volunteers helping to keep the efforts going strong this ever so important to her because of her granddaughter.

“I’ve always enjoyed listening to the stories and got very passionate with it," Murphy said. "In 2009 my second grandchild was born and four weeks later we found out she had neuroblastoma stage four pediatric cancer."

Thankfully Helen’s granddaughter survived and she even volunteers each year too, ensuring those in need are taken care of during the holiday season.

Operations Manager Greg Haney knows just how special volunteers like Helen are to make the mission a success every year.

“Helen is one of our most favorite smiling faces to come in here and help us … she is so great with the families, she is great with the other volunteers could probably actually put her in charge,” Haney said.

Founder, Johnny’s House host Johnny Magic said he knows what it takes to make family’s lives just a bit brighter each year. That’s why he started this effort over 30 years ago.

“So, for a lot of these families, if we don’t help them, it is over to see the since of relief that they have on their faces," Magic said. "Sometimes they break down in tears and sometimes they want to give you a hug because this one less thing they have to worry about."

Magic and others pushing the Baby DJ effort say they are grateful for the special people like Helen Murphy who work around the clock to make each year a success. 

For more information about Baby DJ and how to donate, visit the event's website.