TRADEMARK
On July 17, 2001, a very special event occurred for the Happy Factory. We received notice from the United States Patent Office that The Happy Factory has been approved as a registered trademark. A trademark is more than just a symbol or design. A trademark sets our product apart from all others. It gives notice to the world that this is special and distinct, and no one can use or imitate this concept. A trademark is an expression. It is our individual way of getting our message, thoughts and ideas across to the public. It is a symbol of pride, one that we want people to see. It is a symbol of our company’s achievement. We sincerely appreciate and want to thank Tom Higbee and a friend of his, Greg Madsen, of Salt Lake City, for making this all happen. Both of them spent a lot of time and expense in bringing this about.
THANK YOU
Many of you probably are not aware that Tom Higbee did all of the original legal work to incorporate the Happy Factory. A friend of his, Jim Wilson, an accountant, did the work to get us qualified for an IRS 501c3 rating, which makes donations tax deductible.
NEW TRUSTEES
During the past year Tom Higbee has become a Judge and therefore has had to step down as a trustee and is no longer able to do the legal work for The Happy Factory. We congratulate Tom on this great achievement.
Replacing Tom, is Mark Kohler. He will do the legal work and fill the trustee position that Tom left vacant. Thanks Mark.
We would like to announce the appointment of another new trustee, John Absey. He is with the Utah JAZZ Promotions. he will be a big help to us in our up coming fund raising projects.
CROSS HOLLOW ARENA GRAND OPENING
On June 30, 2001 we were invited to put a booth at the Cross hollow Arena Grand Opening. We raffled off a steam shovel. It was a great event. Many people came by the booth and we found you don’t need an instruction manual to teach a kid how to operate a steam shovel. thanks to Frank DelDuca for over-seeing the steam shovel project. He may have had more fun than the kids did.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
In July, we got a call from Harry Brown, who is with Electro Management, Inc. He asked us if we would donate a few toys for a playhouse that they were building for a raffle at Thanksgiving Point. All of the proceeds would be going to Ronald McDonald House. Their theme was Teddy Bear Hollow and they needed some Teddy Bears sketched for various sponsors. We said we would do it, but didn’t have a clue where to start. Jeremy Wilson came to mind and he agreed to design the bears. They were so cute and appropriate for the sponsors and the occasion. The Teddy Bear Hollow Playhouse received first place over all.
OUR FRIEND THURL
We would like to recognize Thurl Baily for his contributions to The Happy Factory. He has two wonderful basketball camps each year. One in St. George and one in Murray, Utah. Through his foundation, he gives financial support to the Make a Wish program and also the the Happy Factory. Thank you Thurl!
KEN BENSON
Charlie tells the following story about his friend Ken Benson: “I’m sure most of you don’t know Ken Benson, some of you do. About 30 years ago, Ken was the Student Activity Director at SUSC (now Southern Utah University). He was a very active individual. He organized more activities, parties, dances, sports functions, and Dutch oven cook outs than they had ever had before. About 27 years ago, Ken was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. For the past 20 years or so he has been beautiful mind trapped in a prison of a body that doesn’t work. His muscles don’t work right, and his speech is slurred, but his mind is just a sharp as ever. A few months ago, Donna and I went to visit him at the rest home where he now lives. He communicates using an old manual typewriter and he can usually hit enough of the right keys that you can figure out what he is trying to say. He typed a note thanking us for coming and telling how proud he was of The Happy Factory. For a few days after that visit, I couldn’t get Ken out of my mind. I tried to think of something Ken might be able to do. One day we took ten toys, some wheels, axle pegs, glue and a mallet to see if Ken could put the wheels on the toys. I showed him how to do the first wheel and he took the toy out of my hand and started putting on the next wheel. I told him that I would leave them and that there was no quota, it would be great if he would do one a month or if he couldn’t do any, it was okay too. Two or three weeks later we got a call and Ken wanted more toys. We took him 25 toys. In a week they called for more toys. We took him about 50 toys. Now, every Monday morning, we deliver more than 100 toys. One day he typed a note that said that he was devoting all of his time putting wheels on toys for little children around the world. Can you imagine the love that a child must feel when they receive a toy that Ken Benson has wheeled? Mathew 25:40 in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these by brethren, ye have done it unto me. We appreciate Ken for the reminder.”
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
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!
