Happy Hill Farm: Commerce Energy Charity of Choice

Commerce Energy joined with the Dallas Cowboys and a number of other sponsoring companies to support Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home. Happy Hill Farm is a private organization founded by Ed Shipman in 1975.

Happy Hill Farm is home to more than 100 at-risk children, ages 5 – 18. They live, attend school and participate in sports, music, agricultural projects and a number of other activities on the 500-acre farm located 90 minutes outside of Dallas.

When Happy Hill Farm started more than 30 years ago, it had 20 students and few facilities. This year, the farm graduated 18 children, 17 of whom will attend a two- or four-year college and one student who will serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. Happy Hill Farm recently opened a new school and a medical center, and will soon complete a visitors’ center.

Commerce Energy has selected Happy Hill Farm as its charity of choice. On August 29, 2007, company representatives attended the fundraising event in Dallas along with 2,000 luminaries and donors. As part of the company’s commitment to our communities, Commerce Energy donated $25,000 to support the Courage House, a cottage at Happy Hill Farm that houses eight boys. A brief video about Commerce Energy was introduced by Shipman and former football star Chad Hennings, current Commerce Energy spokesperson and chairman of the Board for Happy Hill Farm.

Players from the Dallas Cowboy football team were honored during the fundraising event. Speakers included National Football League (NFL) Honorary Chairman and Hall of Fame Quarterback Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones, and billionaire oil man T. Boon Pickens.