Happiness Bag is an educational and recreational facility for kids and adults experiencing intellectual and physical disabilities in the Wabash Valley. It’s a place where people can be themselves without judgment, enjoy physical activities, make some art and enjoy laughter with friends.
Epic Insurance Midwest has supported Happiness Bag since 2013, donating time, supplies and funding to help meet the needs of their shared community.
If this story receives 500 votes, the $5,000 donation Happiness Bag has already earned will double to $10,000.
For fifty years, Happiness Bag has offered services and programs that focus on the unique potential of each client — or “friend” — they serve. Through adult day programs, sports and other activities, friends can develop daily living and social skills in an inclusive, comfortable environment.
Jana Crowder of Epic Insurance Midwest goes incognito as Sunny, the Happiness Bag mascot, to the delight of Happiness Bag friends.
Jana Crowder, account manager at Epic Insurance Midwest, has been volunteering at Happiness Bag since 2010 and joined the board of directors in 2013. Today she’s the board’s vice president, sits on the fundraising committee, and volunteers her time at various events. “I’ve seen first-hand how the programs at Happiness Bag benefit the participants,” she says. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and feel included in their community.”
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and feel included in their community.” – Jana Crowder, account manager, Epic Insurance Midwest
When she joined the agency in 2013, Jana enlisted the regional president to support Happiness Bag’s mission. Over the years, the agency and staff have supported the organization by sponsoring fundraisers, donating much-needed supplies and volunteering their time.
A growing need
Happiness Bag is the only facility of its kind in the Wabash Valley, and they’ve outgrown their current space. A larger, updated space would allow more friends to get the enrichment they need instead of sitting at home alone. An expansion plan is in the works.
Epic agency staff and Happiness Bag friend Matthew were all smiles at the 2019 Bowl-a-Thon annual fundraiser.
“Our goal is to provide every individual the opportunity to encourage their unique potential, thus promoting independence and a lifestyle providing positive activities.” – Jodi Moan, executive director, Happiness Bag
Making recreation accessible
The annual Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser is a fun way for the community to get involved with Happiness Bag.
A Make More Happen Award from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will allow Happiness Bag to move and expand their outdoor recreation area to serve more people. Funds may also be allocated toward updating adaptive equipment to provide safe activities for participants.
Help Epic Insurance Midwest win another $5,000 for Happiness Bag by cheering them on with a vote!
If your agency volunteers with a 501(c)3 nonprofit, learn how you can win a Make More Happen Award here.
How did I not see this earlier! Happiness Bag is the best! We have a grandchild that attends activities there, as well as, several friends who have children and grandchildren who go there! It is definitely a needed place in this area!
Happiness. Bag is awesome. And care about each individual
Happiness. BagI
Happiness Bag is awesome and the staff is beyond words! The Wabash Valley is blessed to have a place like this for our special friends!
Great organization!!
You can do this Jana!!
This place is AMAZING!!! Just walking in will change your bad day to the best day! I remember when they were on 7th Street… seeing what Jodi has accomplished is a blessing to so many people. Thank you!
Happiness bag is such a great organization here in our community and they deserve all the recognition! Our community is severely lacking in resources and happiness bag has always been such a valuable resource for our special friends.
Happiness Bag is a fabulous organization that does so much for the children and adults that attend. They build life long relationships here!
This is a wonderful place where the friends can enjoy crafts, skills , games and just communicate with all their friends. Great place for all to be!!
They make it possible of these adults to live valuable lives
What an incredible and valuable establishment! With the most incredible and valuable people!
Happiness Bag is the best place around for our friends! Spending time with my friends always puts a smile on my face!
Happiness Bag is unique, wonderful, and a haven for so many.
Awesome! Fantastic! Stupendous! Supercalifragilisticalidous!
Love Happiness Bag and all their fabulous employees!!
What an amazing organization!
Wonderful place and environment
Happiness Bag is amazing! My Rose-Hulman class did a project with them during spring quarter. We learned so much from doing activities with Happiness Bag friends. I’m so glad that we spent time doing activities there and will continue to do so in the coming years. It was the best project that the class has ever participated in.
Happiness Bag is very important to our community and the special friend in it.
This place ROCKS! 2ND TO NONE! It’s a great organization ran by absolutely wonderful people!
They do amazing things!!!
Fantastic organization for our community!
A truly wonderful place with truly wonderful people
Happiness bag is an amazing place with even more amazing people!
Happiness Bag is great
Happiness Bag is amazing
Everyone is a friend at Happiness Bag! Love this organization!
Happiness bag is truly the happiest place to be
Such a great place. This new space would we so good for them.
We appreciate you! -JOH trans-america route
Provides our friends with the socialization, friendship and love they deserve. A safe haven for them where they are valued and loved for who they try are.
God Bless this place and the lovely people!
Love this place! The amazing staff make this a fun place to be! Thanks Happiness Bag!
Amazing work!
love this place!!!! my son went there. they are so good with the special needs!!
Happiness bag is a great place! There is such a good atmosphere and management cares so much for the friends!
This is a great organization for are special friends. I don’t know what Terre Haute would do without this organization. ❤️
Happiness Bag helps so many people, & it would be awesome if they had more space to help even more people!
I’m thrilled that this organization is doing so much for everyone. Thanks to the amazing volunteers and staff for all that they do as well.
Happiness Bag is an amazing place.
The Happiness Bag is such a great organization!!
We love Happiness Bag
Happiness Bag is amazing!
Happiness Bag is the greatest
Happiness Bag is amazing!
Best job I have ever had!
Happiness Bag definitely deserves all the votes
Awesome mission! Let’s go EPIC!
Love this story! Great job, team!
They are a great place for people to grow and learn