Happiness Bag still seeking fundraising efforts for expansion project

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Happiness Bag is seeking the final fundraising efforts for a facility expansion project.

Happiness Bag is a local non-profit organization that provides programs and services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

“We’ve run out of space,” says Executive Director of Happiness Bag, Jodi Moan. “We don’t have enough space to be able to provide our adult program, and welcome in enough of the school-aged kids. This project we’re undertaking is not only going to allow more adults to attend our program, but it’s going to open up more opportunity for our school-aged friends during the summer.”

Happiness Bag is the only recreational and educational oriented facility designed for individuals with disabilities in the Wabash Valley. Plus, Happiness Bag has recreational programs on a year-round basis.

“30 years ago, we were serving 20-25 friends. Today, with all of our programs combined, we are serving over 200 individuals. And there are still so many more friends out there in need of services and in need of programs,” said Moan.

The facility expansion will allow the program to provide more specialized activities especially with an expansion of classrooms, added recreation space, and more accessible restrooms.

“When we designed and moved to this building about 26 years ago, programming and services we provided we’re very different. Funding was very different back then. And so, we didn’t have a huge need for different spaces, different offices, different classrooms. As we evolved, the needs of our friends have changed,” said the Executive Director.

Happiness Bag is accepting not only monetary donations but also is accepting furniture, supplies, and educational materials to help with the new facility.

You can donate on their website or the fundraising page here to help meet their goal.

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