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News Room
Happy Joe's 40th Anniversary Schedule of Events
This year marks Happy Joe's 40th anniversary! The chain’s first location was in the Village of
East Davenport, and opened on November 16, 1972. Today Happy Joe's has over 50 locations
in 6 states! Happy Joe’s Pizza has become a long‐standing tradition in the Midwest with a very
passionate guest following. To celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, Happy Joe and his
family, with the help of the Handicapped Development Center, The Children’s Therapy Center
of the Quad Cities, as well as Hand‐in‐Hand, have launched the Happy Joe's Kids Foundation
(HJFK) which will benefit children with special needs. Children with special needs have always
had a special place in Happy Joe Whitty’s heart.
In honor of Happy Joe's 40th anniversary, we have chosen to celebrate by giving back. Happy Joe's
has officially launched the Happy Joe's Kids Foundation. The money raised for this foundation will
be used to improve the lives of children with special needs everywhere. This is a non‐profit
foundation committed to helping individuals with physical, mental, developmental, or economic
challenges, as well as their families and service providers dedicated to assisting them.
Happy Joe's Kid’s Foundation Poker Run – Sunday, September 16th
All motorcycle and car participants can register on Sunday, September 16th, beginning at
9:30am, at the W. 50th Street Happy Joe's (Jungle Bungle) for the poker run/road rally.
There will be three routes ‐ short, medium, and long, and you can choose between13 stops
to draw 7 cards. The final destination is Credit Island, last vehicle in by 3:30pm. Guests can
then enjoy a pizza buffet, Show n’ Shine car show, door prizes, and fun and games for the
kids. For more specific information on this event, contact Nora at 563‐332‐8811, x‐201.
Pass the Hat ‐ ongoing
Happy Joe's is currently selling paper hats that look similar to the hat our founder, Happy
Joe's Whitty, wears. The Pass the Hat program is similar to other programs you may have
seen, i.e., the March of Dimes paper shamrocks. Happy Joe's Pass the Hat program is
designed to raise funds for the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation (HJKF). When a guest
purchases a hat, write their name on it, and proudly display it on the walls of your
establishment. As a thank you for purchasing a hat, the guest will receive the coupon from
the bottom of the hat to use immediately or on their next visit to Happy Joe's. We are asking
a minimum of $1 per hat, but guests can certainly donate more. Envelopes are provided to
collect the funds your company/group raises. A representative from the Happy Joe's team
will be around to collect funds every 2‐4 weeks. The Happy Joe's hats do not currently have
skew numbers printed on them, but if your establishment would like to assign a skew
number, that is okay. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact
Kristel Whitty‐Ersan at 563‐650‐4680 or kristele@happyjoes.com.
Happy Joe's “Precious” Ladies Luncheon ‐ November 16th, 11:30‐1:30 – Waterfront
Convention Center, Bettendorf
The “Precious” Ladies Luncheon is a fundraising lunch designed for the ladies. We are
bringing in a keynote speaker that we’re very excited about, Mary LoVerde. Mary has been
on Oprah and is the author of several books, one of which is I Used To Have A Handle On
Life, But It Broke.” Mary has a wonderful story and message that we are confident the
ladies are going to love. The price for the ladies lunch tickets are $45 each and tables will
seat 8. Funds from ticket sales, additional pledges, and sponsorships will go to the Happy
Joe's Kids Foundation (HJKF). We hope to have 500 ladies in the room that day and we are
soliciting sponsorships. To purchase tickets or a table for the luncheon, contact Nora at
563‐332‐8811, x‐201. Formal invitations will be sent. If you know of anyone who would
like to be on the invitation list, please let us know. The event is open to the general public.
Happy Joe's Tribute Dinner – Monday, November 19th,
This fundraising evening will begin with a cocktail and appetizer hour. During this time
there will be a business expo where guests can visit booths from a variety of vendors that
support special needs individuals and their families. If you would like to have a booth at
this event, contact Walt Malik at Happy Joe’s, 563‐332‐8811, x‐209, or
walterm@happyjoes.com. Following this will be a sit‐down dinner to include a tribute to
Happy Joe and his 40 years in business, along with recognition to the special needs
community, which may include honors and awards for special needs individuals, parents,
and teachers. Ticket price for this event will be $100 per plate. All proceeds will go to the
Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation (HJKF).
A Fully Roasted Cup of Joe ‐ Tuesday, November 20, 7:30‐9:00am Location to be
determined:
This will be a VIP breakfast‐roast for Happy Joe Whitty. It will be a fun morning dedicated
to a cause that has been a passion of Joe’s for over 40 years. We will invite members of the
community who have a close connection with Joe and hopefully a great story to tell. Our
goal is 50‐60 participants at $1,000 per person. This is a wonderful way to benefit a
worthy cause, and poke a little fun at Joe Whitty! All funds raised from this event will
benefit the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation (HJKF).
Special Needs Dance Party – Tuesday, November 20, 9:30 – 1pm – iWireless Center
For over 40 years, Happy Joe's has chosen to close its doors at least one day a year to host a
party dedicated to children of all ages with special needs. This year our party will be bigger
than ever. Our goal is to host it at the iWireless Center in Moline on the arena floor. Kids
will receive a pizza and beverage meal, complete with ice cream for dessert. Following the
meal, they will hit the dance floor to show off their moves! The kids absolutely love this
party. It has become a 40‐year tradition for both Happy Joe's and the schools who support
these special kids. We are looking for sponsors to help make this a bigger and better event.
To learn more about this event or to become a sponsor, please contact Sarah Carroll at 563‐
332‐8811, or sarahc@happyjoes.com.
Community Variety Show – Tuesday, November 20th, 6:30 pm – iWireless Center
This event will be our grand finale to Happy Joe's 40th Anniversary celebrations. This is also
a fundraiser event for the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation (HJKF). A preliminary schedule has
the evening starting at 6:30 pm, doors open at 6pm. Tickets will be sold through
Ticketmaster and the iWireless. Tickets are general admission and we are currently
planning to sell each ticket for under $20. The show will include 15‐18 talent acts from the
Quad Cities and surrounding areas. The talent for this show will be good! Our goal is to host
a show that will have town buzzing and hopefully this will be a legacy event/fundraiser for
the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation (HJKF). For more information about the Variety Show,
contact Kristel Whitty‐Ersan at 563‐650‐4680 or kristele@happyjoes.com, or Holly Bell,
Maxx Models and Talent, 563‐391‐5507 or hcbell@mchsi.com.
Volunteers
Many of these events need volunteers. If you are interested, please contact the person
listed with each event. We are happy to provide a certificate to any student so that they can
obtain credit for their volunteer hours.
To learn more or to donate, please visit the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation website,
www.happyjoeskids.org.
If you would like more information, please contact Kristel Whitty-Ersan at 563.332.8811, Ext. 203, or via e-mail at kristele@happyjoes.com.
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