HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Janice Corbett, an associate minister with Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, travels with a purpose.
The Henrico woman has seen the world.
But one destination has meant more to her than most of the places she has been.
Every year since 2004, Janice has returned to Haiti, but not for sun and fun.
During her trips, Janice delivers hope to the people of Pignon. Hope comes in the form of soap and shirts, flip flops and food.
"It brings tears to your eyes. It’s a big issue in Haiti, starvation," Janice said. "We gave out beans and rice."
Haiti is considered to be the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Janice distributes basic necessities for people who have little to nothing in schools, churches, and orphanages.
"In the town I go you cannot find book bags," she said. "Many of them don't even own a pair of undies. They make their toys out of scraps."
The retired English teacher returned from her latest trip in the first week of July. The 73-year-old woman described her traveling ministry as a calling.
"It just keeps drawing me back because I see the fruits of my labor," Janice said. "They struggle economically and socially."
Friend Ken Barney is one of five church members who accompanied Janice to Pignon during her latest trip.
Mr. Barney marveled at Janice’s dedication.
"It is everything to her," Ken said. "I don’t know where she gets the energy she has, but I wish I had it. I’m almost played out. She is still on the road."
Janice’s next journey to Haiti is set for October.
Donated and purchased items are already piling up in her living room, den, and dining room.
For the woman who has traveled the world, Haiti is the one place that keeps tugging at her heart like the pull of a magnet.
"Priceless. Priceless. Yes," she said. "They’re my family and that is my second home."
Greg McQuade features local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
