The Bowl-A-Thon is Happiness Bag's premier fundraising event. Teams of five participants collect donations with the goal of becoming the top fundraising team while helping create more opportunities for the friends of Happiness Bag.

On September 27, bowlers will gather at Terre Haute Bowling Center for a fun-filled day of bowling with a unique twist. Participants may be challenged to sing a song, knock down only one pin, or complete other entertaining tasks, all while competing for door prizes generously donated by local businesses. High scores are not the goal of this event. Instead, the focus is on having fun, building community, and supporting a great cause.

Every dollar raised stays in the Wabash Valley and directly supports Happiness Bag programs and services.

Happiness Bag, Incorporated is an independent, not for profit, United Way Community partner, which provides educational and recreational programs and services to individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities in the Wabash Valley. The one question that is most often asked: “What is a Happiness Bag?” A happiness bag is a tradition in Korea, similar to our Christmas stocking, except the Koreans use it all year long. The colorful little bag is used to give gifts, usually making the receiver happy, but often provokes thought to help the recipient become more aware of life and to learn a valuable lesson. Happiness Bag adopted its’ name from this tradition and utilizes this philosophy in all of its endeavors.

Founded in 1971 as a touring theater company, Happiness Bag presented plays to schools and various organizations, with the cast consisting of students from Indiana State University. As the touring company grew, the cast began to primarily consist of individuals with disabilities and those without. As a direct result of our theater group, Happiness Bag has evolved to service not only the needs of the physically and mentally disabled, but their entire family as well.

Happiness Bag, Incorporated is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and recreational activities. In general, the mission statement of Happiness Bag is as follows:

Happiness Bag is dedicated to providing adapted educational and recreational services and programs that encourage the unique potential of children and adults with disabilities.

In 1987, Happiness Bag changed its program format from the drama/arts areas and began to focus more on the educational and recreational areas of programming for the intellectually and/or physically disabled. Our Agency is the only educational AND recreational oriented facility in the entire Wabash. We provide care and programming for individuals ranging in age from five to adult.

Due to the continued growth in the number of individuals participating in our programs and the additional programs offered, in 1997, we moved from our location on South Seventh Street to our current location. A group of individuals, who wish to remain anonymous, made it possible to have a long-standing dream become a reality. The facility is located on the south side of Terre Haute and sits directly behind the Vigo County Fairgrounds. Our facility rests on approximately six acres of land.

Due to the continued growth and popularity of our facility-based program, it became necessary to explore expansion opportunities. In the fall of 2025, construction began on an additional 12,000 square feet of dedicated space designed specifically for the individuals we serve. By November 2026, we had successfully moved into our expanded facility, opening the door to enhanced opportunities and experiences for our friends. The new space includes areas for developing and strengthening daily living skills, a computer lab, small classrooms designed to accommodate sensory needs, and expanded capacity for community support and service initiatives.

The Board of Directors remains committed to strengthening and expanding programs and services for individuals throughout our community. It is our sincere hope that, building on our long and rich history in the Wabash Valley, we will continue to grow and thrive while providing high-quality programs and services for both our participants and their families. Proceeds from special events help support these efforts, including scholarship funding for friends in need and those who do not receive Medicaid Waiver services.

2026 Happiness Bag Bowl-a-thon

Team Leaderboard

Team Members