Tournament Season Is Upon Us! – Project HAPPY

As we move into the spring from the chilly winter, basketball tournament season reigns as the NCAA’s March Madness and the NBA’s Playoffs look to captivate fans once again. During this time of year we are often reminded of the importance of physical activity and it’s benefits. Regular physical activity has been proven to help prevent and manage numerous noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight, and can improve mental health, quality of life, and well-being. To be able to have an outlet for physical activity provides us with a destressing environment to go about our daily lives more efficiently. It also allows for us to foster a sense of community, if we choose to interact with others while being physically active.

One organization fostering a sense of community through physical activity is Project HAPPY. Since 1981, at Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus, Project HAPPY (Hunter Activity Program for Parents and Youth) has been providing sorely needed athletic and recreational services, weekly during school semesters, to 150 of New York City’s children, youth, and young adults who have disabilities such as Spina bifida, Cerebral palsy and other orthopedic disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Intellectual and developmental disabilities. Originally founded by Penny Shaw, Project HAPPY’s mission is to promote the well-being of the young New York City community, by providing them with individual team sports and recreational activities, and impart improved physical health, social skills, and self-confidence in those who are often marginalized as a result of their disability. Additionally, Project HAPPY strives to advocate for, and provide awareness of, the needs of urban children, youth, and young adults who have disabilities. While Penny Shaw has since decided to retire from Project HAPPY, she has left the mission within the exceptional hands of Semra Kayabas and Olivia Matthews, who are still working to provide happiness!

Today, the Wholly Medical Supplies was able to add to the happiness already found at Project HAPPY. Because we believe in the mission of Project HAPPY, the Wholly Medical Supplies team orchestrated the donation of 10 new basketballs and an electric pump in an effort to bolster Project HAPPY’s sense of community and physical activity through basketball involvement. Kids and young adults looked at the new basketballs with excitement and glee and could not wait to test them out on the court. As we played numerous games throughout the day, smiles, laughs, high-fives, and comradery flooded through the room as everyone felt the energy of community.

Project HAPPY is funded by grants and generous donations from people like you! If you are interested in donating to Project HAPPY or are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate!

“Knowledge is the Currency for the Improvement of the World Around Us.”