Happiness Bag breaks ground on 12,000 square foot addition

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Over 12,000 square feet is being added to Happiness Bag’s facility in Terre Haute.

Wednesday morning, the organization, along with leaders of Vigo County, held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction.

The local community came out with huge support.

We have always had a tremendous following for our organization and a tremendous amount of support, but seeing everybody come out today, for this event, just cements even more the support that we have and the belief that the community has in our organization.

Jodi Moan – Executive Director – Happiness Bag

The project will be funded with money from the American Recovery Act.

It will give the building multiple new entrances, as well as added recreational space for Happiness Bag workers to help their residents with disabilities.

We’ll have 8 new offices. A conference room that can be used to provide meeting space to work with families. Life skills classrooms that will include a teaching kitchen. Large and accessible restrooms with showers. A sensory room. A large recreation room.

Michael Shaw – Earl C. Rodgers and Associates INC.

The added space will also allow for more people to be cared for daily in Terre Haute.

Moan has been with the organization for over 38 years and says the growth she has seen is nothing short of remarkable.

I have been in a two-story house with friends. I’ve watched us evolve and grow from that two-story house to this 11,000 square foot building. Just the knowledge that we’re going to be able to, not only provide more opportunities for our existing friends, but be able to provide new opportunities for friends that we haven’t even met yet.

Jodi Moan – Executive Director – Happiness Bag

If you are interested in helping out Happiness Bag, visit their website to get involved or donate.

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