Community involvement has always been at the core of Happy Joe’s mission. When “Happy Joe” Whitty opened his first pizza location 50 years ago, he knew he wanted to do more than serve great food. That’s why in 1972, Joe vowed to always give back to the community that helped make his dream a reality. That first December, he hosted the inaugural special needs party for children with disabilities. This first bash sparked a yearly tradition that’s still happening today. To help keep that spark going, Whitty and his family founded the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of children with special needs “wherever they may be.”
Over 50 years later, the company’s commitment to philanthropy and community service is stronger than ever. Along with recurring events like its famous parties, the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation proudly supports a variety of community-oriented programs. As Happy Joe’s Pizza chief happiness officer and CEO Tom Sacco explained, that’s just what the company does.
“We support the less fortunate as part of our DNA. We require every franchisee to have an organization that supports special needs, those less fortunate individuals, those individuals in need, or those individuals that have the unfortunateness of being cast with a debilitating and/or degenerative disease.”
While COVID-19 certainly put a wrench in community events, it didn’t keep the team down for long. Last December, they brought back the kids’ holiday party after a two-year hiatus.
A Holiday Party To Remember
On Dec. 6 and 7, Happy Joe’s once again threw its holiday extravaganza. This incredible annual event is all about bringing lighthearted fun and holiday magic to disabled kids in the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois. After a two-year COVID-19 break, the pizza franchise was finally able to host the event, which was held at the Vibrant Arena in Moline, Illinois.
These events are made possible through a partnership with the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation. Together, the Happy Joe’s Holiday Party hosted four parties over two days, serving over 1,500 kids. Disabled children, along with their teachers, parents, and caregivers, look forward to celebrating the holidays with Happy Joe’s every year. This time, the excitement was at an all-time high.
“The holiday season is the most important time of year to give back, and nobody deserves to have a more festive time than children with special needs,” Sacco explained. “Happy Joe’s strives to be the top choice for great food and a fun time together. These parties have been designed to ensure these wonderful children feel appreciated and included in our community. I’ve been told and thanked personally by many of these kids, that this party is the highlight of their holidays, and their teachers and parents are thrilled these parties are making a comeback and that we didn’t forget about them.”
Each party kicked off with a rendition of the national anthem, sung by Moline resident Kate Holsen. A board member of Gigi’s Playhouse Quad Cities, Holsen is a community advocate for disabilities, with a particular focus on serving individuals with Down syndrome. Along with its mission of community advocacy, Gigi’s Playhouse is a long-standing supporter of the yearly parties.
After the song, guests were excited to get to the main event: the food. Each attendee enjoyed a wide selection of fresh pizzas, soft drinks, and ice cream. While they dined, performers like company mascot Happy the Dog, the Happy Joe’s hip-hop dance team, and even Santa Claus took the stage to bring music, dance, and laughter to all.
Especially after the pandemic, the community was thrilled to bring back this beloved event. Marketing VP Kristel Whitty-Ersan, daughter of Joe Whitty, was proud to see the party back and better than ever. “After a two-year hiatus, everybody was ready to party hard today,” she explained. “You gotta practice your moves before you come because we bust a move.”
For the kids, it was a magical day indeed. After delivering a special message and posing for photos with guests, Santa helped hand out presents to each child. Their goody bags included Happy Joe’s hats and a book to enjoy during the holiday season. For guests, many of whom face financial and educational obstacles, it was a reminder that Happy Joe’s will always have their backs.
It was a two-day event the community will never forget and a wonderful way to bring back the Happy Joe’s spirit of compassion after the challenges of the pandemic. Ultimately, it’s about giving back to the children who need it most, which is why the Quad Cities event isn’t the only holiday party the company sponsors. In fact, Happy Joe’s franchisees across the country are encouraged to throw their own parties, helping spread holiday magic and cheer to more communities.
It’s hard to think of a more perfect way to end the year and celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. And rest assured, the holiday party is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
“This is one of our favorite events to host each year, and we’re happy to have it back and plan on making it better than ever,” Sacco said.
The Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation Donates $50,000
2022 was a big year for both Happy Joe’s Pizza and the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation. It marked the 50th anniversary of the brand — a milestone achievement. To celebrate, the pizza chain and nonprofit partnered to launch a new philanthropy program. On Sept. 10, Joe Whitty’s birthday, Happy Joe’s announced a new initiative to support disabled children and their families.
To assist families in meeting the needs of their children, the company donated $50,000 to help cover medical and educational costs. The 50 families received $1,000 each to support the purchases of mobility aids, specialized care, and more.
It’s not just the headquarters that led the effort here. The company took a nationwide approach, asking general managers and franchise owners across all locations to take part in locating families in need of financial assistance. For Sacco, this program is just another way to give back to the communities the company serves. “For 50 years, Happy Joe’s has strived to create magical moments for all our guests wherever they may be. We plan to continue Joe’s legacy for as long as possible. Our hope is that each donation we make will bring smiles and welcome relief to wonderful families across our system!”
VP of Marketing Kristel Whitty-Ersan, “Happy Joe” Whitty’s daughter, added, “My family and I are honored to make this gift and continue our father’s mission of giving back to the communities that helped him achieve his dream.”
To add a little extra fun to the proceedings, the company gave away a 2022 Ford Explorer ST to one lucky customer, along with $17,000 to cover taxes. It was a smart move to help spur donations, with all funds going to benefit the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation and its partner charities.
Endless Opportunities To Support the Community
Along with its commitment to disabled children and families, Happy Joe’s operates various other community-based programs. Groups and organizations can lean on the company to help fundraise, promote learning, and recognize notable achievements.
Groups looking to raise money can sell Happy Joe’s Pizza fundraising cards, which are worth over $40 in savings. Associations buy the cards for $1 each and sell them for $5 and enroll in the Happy Joe’s scrip program to purchase gift cards at discounted rates. These can then be sold at the standard retail rate to raise funds.
Schools and athletic teams can also get in on the fun. Through the Happy Reader Club, teachers, librarians, and home-school instructors can set personalized monthly reading goals for students. At the end of each month, children are rewarded for meeting their goals with a certificate for a free Little Joe Pizza. The support for education doesn’t stop there, though. Recently, Happy Joe’s Pizza hosted a fundraiser for a new library building.
To celebrate achievements on and off the field, its Player of the Week Program provides school coaches with certificates to recognize up to three special team members each week. Each certificate can be personalized with the child’s name and comes with a detachable coupon for a free pizza.
In a time where community engagement matters more than ever, it’s especially exciting to watch a family business continuing to push the envelope of what’s possible. And for the children and families who have experienced this philanthropic spirit, the impact is clear to see.
