{"id":480,"date":"2022-10-21T08:00:51","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T08:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.gutenify.com\/gutenify-civil\/?page_id=5"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:59:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:59:37","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/?page_id=480","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull gutenify-section-2c412120-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-47e5a185 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow gtfy-58\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light gutenify-section-2c292c50-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-2\" style=\"min-height:547px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-514\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/table.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/table.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/table-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/table-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/table-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide gutenify-section-2c27ccc0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained gtfy-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull gutenify-section-2c405dd0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 has-background-secondary-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c3dff5c8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained gtfy-57\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:0px;padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:100px;padding-left:30px\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center gutenify-section-2c2a3dc0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 has-gigantic-font-size gtfy-3\">About Us<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-center gutenify-section-2c358860-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex gtfy-20\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center gutenify-section-2c2cfce0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow gtfy-5\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border animated animated-fadeInUp gutenify-section-2c2c60a0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/kids-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-517\" style=\"border-radius:0px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/kids-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/kids-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/kids-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center gutenify-section-2c353a40-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow gtfy-19\" style=\"padding-top:40px;padding-right:40px;padding-bottom:40px;padding-left:40px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide gutenify-section-2c34c510-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained gtfy-18\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group gutenify-section-2c2de740-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e0082cf6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained gtfy-7\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading animated animated-fadeInUp gutenify-section-2c2d7210-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 has-huge-font-size gtfy-6\" style=\"line-height:1.4;text-transform:capitalize\">What makes Happy Helpers Unique<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group gutenify-section-2c336580-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5a30f31b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained gtfy-15\">\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c2ef8b0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-8\">1.Our main focus is on showing the people LOVE \u2014 we strongly believe that LOVE will help them get back on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c2f6de0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-9\">2.We are an all-volunteer organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c2fe310-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-10\">3.Young people age six and up are able to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3169b0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-11\">4.Our work takes place no matter the weather because the people are in the streets no matter the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c31b7d0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-12\">5.Only first-quality food and items are distributed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns gutenify-section-2c32c940-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex gtfy-14\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column gutenify-section-2c325410-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow gtfy-13\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons animated animated-fadeInUp gutenify-section-2c3476f0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fb32cc1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex gtfy-17\" style=\"margin-top:38px;margin-bottom:0px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio gutenify-section-2c36c0e0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-21\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"HHH in Marydel 8 2021\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3ZVtu-DyJMQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:84px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer gutenify-section-2c370f00-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-22\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading gutenify-section-2c378430-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-23\">Board of Directors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c37f960-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-24\"><strong>Executive Director<\/strong>: Bobbi Coffman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c37f960-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-25\"><strong>President<\/strong>:&nbsp;Debrah Boone<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3895a0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-26\"><strong>First Vice President<\/strong>: Dennis Clark<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c390ad0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-27\"><strong>Second Vice President<\/strong>: Dr. Towanna Fontenot<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c398000-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-28\"><strong>Secretary<\/strong>: Cathy Kennedy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c39f530-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-29\"><strong>Treasurer<\/strong>: Margie Englert<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-3f2d2f40-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-30\"><strong>Chair, Communications and Special Projects: <\/strong>Lauren Jonas<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3a6a60-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-31\"><strong>General Board Members<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-32\">Rich Batterton<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-33\">Rene&#8217; Carter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-34\">Davina Foster<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-35\">P.J. Kuadey<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-36\">Melissa Nowicki<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-37\">Michelle Quarterman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-38\">Valerie Reed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-39\">John Shade<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-40\">Manish Singh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-41\">Brian Thompson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-42\">Robin Woodard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-43\">Stella Wu<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gtfy-44\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading gutenify-section-2c3b54c0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-45\">The Happy Helpers Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:52px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer gutenify-section-2c3bc9f0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-46\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3cdb60-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-47\"><strong>When Amber Coffman \u2014 whose only family in the world at the time was her mom \u2014 was just eight years old, she volunteered weekly at a homeless shelter.&nbsp; The precious people living at the shelter told her their personal stories even though she was so young \u2014 they needed someone to talk to.&nbsp; They also let Amber know that there was not enough room at the shelter; there were actually people who had to call the streets and woods their home.&nbsp; Learning of this broke her heart, and&nbsp;Amber states that she instantly knew her reason for being on Earth!&nbsp;&nbsp;She would use her life to serve the poorest of the poor.&nbsp; About this same time, Amber chose Mother Teresa as the subject for a school assignment.&nbsp; Mother Teresa\u2019s extraordinary work became her greatest inspiration.&nbsp; Amber dreamed of starting an organization with a mission of bringing LOVE and food directly to those in the streets.&nbsp; She had to complete eight steps to turn her noble dream into a reality.&nbsp;She never gave up, and in February 1993, Happy Helpers for the Homeless began its service!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer gutenify-section-2c3d2980-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-48\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3d9eb0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-49\"><strong>The very first \u201cHappy Helpers\u201d was extra special because one of the volunteers who came was a 13-year-old girl who had previously been homeless.&nbsp; She had stayed at the shelter at which Amber volunteered.&nbsp; She was doing better now and wanted to give back.&nbsp;&nbsp;Every week since, no matter the weather, the work of \u201cHappy Helpers\u201d has taken place.&nbsp; More than ONE MILLION lunches have been prepared and distributed thus far at the Maryland Headquarters!&nbsp; Along with LOVE and lunches, toiletries, clothing, blankets, toys, and resource books that offer great aid are directly distributed to men, women, and children in the streets.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:38px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer gutenify-section-2c3e3af0-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-50\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3e6200-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-51\"><strong>Our arrival is anxiously awaited.&nbsp; The people are so hungry.&nbsp; One week, a large cake toppled over and lay spread on the ground.&nbsp; A gentleman ate it right off the ground!&nbsp; For many, this would be the only meal they will have all day; and when we hand someone a bar of soap, you would think they had received gold.&nbsp; We never judge the people, we LOVE the people!&nbsp; Their situations are terrible.&nbsp;&nbsp;Urgent needs are met.&nbsp; Once a gentleman\u2019s only shirt was stolen through the night at a shelter \u2014 another was immediately provided to him.&nbsp; On a different occasion, a gentleman came to visit Amber.&nbsp; He told her that he had obtained a job and an apartment, but that it never would have happened without her!&nbsp; Amber has also been told that her smile means as much as the food.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer gutenify-section-2c3eb020-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-52\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3f2550-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-53\"><strong>There is always much happening at \u201cHappy Helpers\u201d.&nbsp; In addition to the compassionate street distributions, many special events are held annually for the people: 1) A big birthday celebration \u2013 otherwise, their birthdays would go by unnoticed; 2) A fantastic outing for the children at a family fun center \u2013&nbsp;on this day, the children do not have to worry where or whether they will have dinner \u2014 instead, they are able to make wonderful childhood memories; and 3) A day of special services \u2013 breakfast, haircuts, dental treatment, and job search help.&nbsp; In April 1999, \u201cHappy Helpers\u201d began a new outreach to provide necessities to Guatemalan families living on Maryland\u2019s Eastern Shore.&nbsp; The three-hour round-trip is made three times a year, and has become very dear to the volunteers\u2019 hearts. Our other additional major outreach is providing food baskets to many homeless teenagers 52 weeks a year.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:34px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer gutenify-section-2c3f7370-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-54\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gutenify-section-2c3fc190-31a7-11ef-b47b-e95d6491c6e7 gtfy-55\"><strong>Countless schools, businesses, churches, groups, and individuals have gotten involved in \u201cHappy Helpers\u201d.&nbsp; People from every race, background, and ability are represented.&nbsp; Amazing friendships are made!&nbsp; We are so thankful!&nbsp; We have also developed six replicable projects, such as \u201cSock-It-To-Me\u201d, that can be completed for those whom we serve.&nbsp; The most exciting news is that \u201cHappy Helpers Branches\u201d are forming across the country!&nbsp; Amber fulfills numerous speaking engagements to get the message out about the critical needs that exist, with a goal of recruiting many to address these needs.&nbsp; People from 49 states, Holland, Guam, Canada, Kenya, and Australia have requested information.&nbsp; In 1995, as a guest on NBC\u2019s&nbsp;<em>The Today Show<\/em>, Amber stated that it would be another dream come true for her to see \u201cHappy Helpers\u201d spread around the world!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full gtfy-56\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"719\" height=\"878\" src=\"http:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.54.51-AM.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1402\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About Us What makes Happy Helpers Unique 1.Our main focus is on showing the people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-480","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"campaignId":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=480"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1405,"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/480\/revisions\/1405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyhelpersforthehomeless.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}