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Community

Wheelchair Donations Make Happy Joe Happier

WVIK Staff

The founder of Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream has a long history of giving back to the community--but at 78 years old, Joe Whitty's not quite done helping those in need. Also known as "Happy Joe," he's buying wheelchairs to give to people of all ages who can't afford them.

Whitty uses a walker and recently bought a motorized wheelchair for himself to get around his farm. Then, he decided to keep looking for new and used wheelchairs to fix up.

 
In the past month, Whitty has given away three wheelchairs and has four more in his garage, ready to give away.

Credit WVIK Staff
Whitty currently has four wheelchairs he stores in his garage

The best part for him is watching peoples' reactions when using a motorized wheelchair for the first time. Whitty recently gave one to a friend who didn't think he'd need a wheelchair until he tried it.

 

WHITTY2.mp3
Friend loves new wheelchair, can't wait to show his wife

Whitty is always looking for wheelchairs, and says he'll buy as many as it takes.


His assistant, Sarah Carroll, says she isn't too surprised Whitty decided to spend his own money giving away wheelchairs.
 

SARAH1.mp3
Very typical of Happy Joe

Whitty encourages anyone in need of a wheelchair to contact him, Or as he puts it, "come and get a wheelchair, but don't bring any money."