Sharing the Love

02/15/2015

Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation and Books-A-Million Donate Books to Children with Special Needs

In addition to delivering heart-shaped Valentine’s Day pizzas this week, Happy Joe’s is also delivering something wonderful for some young book-lovers in the community. The Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation is dedicated to benefiting and improving the lives of children with special needs and their families. Happy Joe’s has a long-standing tradition of commitment to these special people.

Happy Joe’s teamed up with Books-A-Million during the holidays and invited the community to donate books that would be placed into the hands of children and adults with special needs. Books-A-Million collected over 1,000 books and Happy Joe’s delivered some of those books into grateful hands today.

The Handicapped Development Center was one of the first recipients today and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, as they’re building a library room for their facility. Kristel Whitty-Ersan, one of the owners of Happy Joe’s and Happy Joe Whitty’s daughter, stated, “We’ve always supported groups that support those with special needs and it’s extremely exciting to move forward with our cause and have a real foundation in place to help us do so. We launched our foundation in honor of our 40th anniversary. Our dad, Happy Joe, said he wants to see this foundation carry out our mission of always showing support for those with special needs and their families.”

Katey Wulf, manager of the Davenport BAM!, said, “The Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation is a great organization and we plan to be part of it every year. We like to do a book drive each November through December to support their mission and offer our community a way to give back.” The Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation is a national foundation. To learn more or to make a donation, go to www.happyjoeskids.org.

 

Hand in Hand

Hand In Hand was created by local Quad City parents to serve children and young adults with special needs. In addition we support the families of these children so that they can be successful at work and at home. Today Hand In Hand offers summer camps, childcare, a bowling league, overnights and even a Girl Scout Troop among its many program choices.
In addition, information about community resources is also available to parents regarding various disability issues. Learn More

Handicapped Development Center

The Handicapped Development Center supports those people with disabilities at work, at home, and in the community.

At HDC’s workshop, people learn work skills and are provided with a place where they can experience the dignity of doing real work and the pride of earning a paycheck. They can also receive the support they need to find and maintain a job in the community.
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Read the story of Joe Whitty's life.

Read the story of Joe Whitty's life.

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Helping Kids with Special Needs Across America

Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Happy Joe Whitty and his family to help meet the needs of special needs kids wherever they may be.

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Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities

The Children’s Therapy Center offers medical rehabilitation therapy services to children with developmental disabilities and developmental delays.

Over the years, thousands of individuals and their families have benefited from our services – regardless of their ability to pay for the services. Now, with a focus on young children, the Children’s Therapy Center is a major service provider for children and families throughout Western Illinois and Southeastern Iowa. Learn More