#14 - June 15, 2001

WELCOME
We're happy to announce the newest branches of the Happy Factory Family:

STEAM SHOVELS
Our steam shovel projects for the special education classrooms throughout the state of Utah is going very well.  To date we have delivered about 80 steam shovels.  many of these have been delivered to the schools by the JAZZ BEAR. This meant that many of the little children got two treats - a steam shovel and a personal visit from BEAR. BEAR is very excited to help us with this project.  Look up his web site: www.nba.com/jazz/bear 

SPECIAL VISITS
On March 16, 2001, we had a very pleasant surprise.  James E. Sorenson, his wife Beverly, and some members of his family dropped in unexpectedly at the Cedar City Happy Factory. Also in the group was Davis E. Sorensen, of the Presidency of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They were in Cedar City to dedicate the new SUU PE building that ears the name J.E. Sorenson Building.  President Sorensen offered the dedicatory prayer.  They all mentioned how impressed they were with The Happy Factory and the many volunteers who make it work.

On May 15, 2001, we had another surprise when a group of five dignitaries from Brazil came to the Happy Factory.  They were in Cedar City on an exchange program through Rotary International.  They were so impressed with the Happy Factory that they painted toys all morning and two of them came back in the afternoon.  They asked many questions, took many pictures and wanted to see every aspect of making toys.  They stated that they would like to have a branch on Campo Grande, Brazil within the coming year.

100,000th TOY
On May 1, 2001 the 100,000th toy came off the Happy Factory assembly line.  This toy, of course, represents all who participate because there is only one Happy Factory with 15 locations.  We all celebrate this landmark!

OPEN HOUSE
On March 28, 2001, the Happy Factory was invited to participate, along with some 40 other companies and organizations, in an open house at the Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City.  It was very interesting to see the various companies and the types of things they were producing to help the humanitarian efforts around the world.  There were things like food, educational materials, and of course - toys for needy children.  The Happy Factory booth was one of the most popular there.  While there, we met Marion Jenkins, President of the Beehive Foundation in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  He told us they were building a warehouse in Chihuahua, Mexico which will house a vocational school.  Mr. Jenkins expressed an interest in putting a Happy Factory in the school to teach the students to make toys for orphans in Mexico.  This sounds like an exciting opportunity for the Happy Factory.

EL SALVADOR UPDATE
After the earthquakes in El Salvador, the Humanitarian Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was notified that there were so many children in trauma that more help was needed.  A request was made for counselors to come to the aid of these children.  A group of counselors volunteered and were told what their assignment would be.  They agreed to go, and requested toys.  Someone from the Humanitarian Departments said that they personally witnessed many pallets of Happy Factory toys being sent to El Salvador.  We later received a letter from Garry Flake, Director of Humanitarian Services, asking us to thank the many people who had donated hours to help make that shipment possible.  He said the toys had a calming effect on the thousands of children who received them.

A STORY FROM CHARLIE:
One day I went to the post office to pick up the mail.  There in the stack was a small envelope.  I noticed that the return address was just a street number in Toolele, Utah.  I opened it and there were two one dollar bills and a little yellow note with a paper clip.  the note said, "I'm sorry this is all that I can do.  Hope it will help."  After working through my tears I finally got the two dollars back in the envelope.

We have received many donations, but this is one that i will never forget.  Two dollars - "Hope it will help."

Two dollars will pay for five Happy Factory toys.  I bet there are five children somewhere in the world who would say, "It helps a lot."

As you know, our time and most of our materials are donated.  We do however have some expenses as we make these toys, and as our production increases - so do our expenses.  if you are able, we would appreciate donations to help with the costs of the Happy Factory toys.  Every donation, whether in the form of time, materials, or funds will help us work to touch the lives of thousand of children.  We know it helps!

MOTTO:
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A TOY FOR EVER CHILD IN THE WORLD WHO NEEDS ONE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY!