Next month “The Happy Factory, Inc.” will be five years old. What a wonderful five years it has been. What started out in a 10′ X 20′ shop by two people has grown into an organization of 19 locations and has touched the lives of thousands of people all over the world. Everyone who participates in The Happy Factory, Inc., becomes a member, whether it is someone who gives or whether it is someone who receives.
The Happy Factory has had national recognition in Family Circle and People magazines. It has been featured on all of the Salt Lake City TV stations, many state and local newspapers, including a centerfold in the Deseret News, LDS Church News section. The Happy Factory is a Registered Trade Mark with the U.S. Patent Office, and the list goes on and on.
The Happy Factory is not about two people; it is about a lot of good people giving of themselves in a common cause to help children all over the world who are in need.
Hugh Nibley wrote: “For charity there is no bookkeeping, no d3ealers, interest, and bargaining or ulterior motives. Charity gives to those in need and expects nothing in return; it is the love God has for us, and the love we have for little children, of whom we expect nothing, but for whom we would give anything.”
This is the Lord’s work. It would not have happened without His help and guidance. We see evidence of this every day. So many positive things happen that we simply have no control over, making it obvious to us that this is indeed His work. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve in an organization to make toys for some of His little ones.
Can you imagine a little child sitting alone in rubble or in an orphanage with nothing? Some children don’t even have a name. Many learn to turn off their minds and live in a stupor of nothingness.
Can you imagine what it does for them when they get a toy, and find out it is their very own? Education experts tell us that these toys can often turn these children’s entire lives around. It gives them hope. It’s like a security blanket. They hug it. They sleep with it. They may feel for the first time. It triggers their imagination and starts the learning process.
At this time of year we remember the birht of our Saviour and the service He gave for all of us. We also think about the needy little children, our families, and pray for peace in the world so those in the armed forces may return to their families.
We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
Motto: We may not be able to make a toy for every child in the world who needs one, but we’re going to try.
