Humanitarian Projects

Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists is committed to building stronger communities. Once a year our employees submit and vote on participating, raising awareness and gathering donations for different charitable organizations. We deeply appreciate the support of our patients, employees and their families in making these fundraisers successful.

2021 Christmas Box House Project Elf- Employees of Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists raised over $2,500 in support of Project Elf.  Each holiday season, The Christmas Box International helps fill Santa’s sleigh for children, teens, and young adults in our community who have been abused, neglected, or face homelessness. 

2020 Operation Underground Railroad- Employees of Hand & Orthopedic Rehabilitation raised funds in an effort to end human trafficking and exploitation. Operation Underground Railroad is a privately run organization that works with law enforcement to institute measures, develop intelligence and assist in enforcement operations and rescue efforts. 

2018/2019 American Red Cross – Employees of Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists worked with the American Red Cross in hosting a blood drive so that we “Could Make a Difference.” 38 units of Life Saving Pints were donated, which can potentially impact 76 patients. By donating blood, patients of all ages, accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer all benefit.

2017 Wounded Warrior Project – Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees raised over $1500 in support of the Wounded Warrior Project. The Wounded Warrior Project provides free programs and services to address the needs of wounded warriors and fills the gaps in governmental care. The demand for the Wounded Warrior Project and its services, has grown from serving a handful of injured veterans to serving tens of thousands of veterans. Visit their support site today to learn how you can give.

2016 Autism Speaks – Employees of Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists raised over $2500 for Autism Speaks and every dollar donated was matched by Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists. Blue puzzle piece pins were given to our therapists and physicians in the community to support the “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Autism Speaks’ mission “is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.” 

2015 JDRF One, “ Walk For a World without Type1 Diabetes (T1D)” — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees sponsored the JDRF One Walk to help turn “Type One into Type None” diabetes. We walked with hundreds of other supporters and raised over $2300 for JDRF. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has over 200 walks and more than 900,000 people walk each year to cure T1D. To learn more or participate in a walk near you visit jdrf.org. 

Summer 2015 Play Unplugged — The employees of Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists sponsored the Play Unplugged Summer project encouraging local children to “Turn screens off so you can turn life on.” We loved meeting some of our young neighbors and seeing all of their “active” accomplishments.  

2014 Operation Smile — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees raised $2400 for Operation Smile. Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity that provides safe medical procedures and care for children with cleft lip and palate conditions in 60 countries across the globe. 

2013 Odyssey House Foundation — The employees of Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists raised over $1700 for the Odyssey House Foundation. The Odyssey House Foundation, a local non-profit residential organization, assists parents with drug dependencies who seek rehabilitation. Funds collected went towards school supplies, clothes, Christmas gifts and other activities that drug dependent parents may not be able to provide to their children.

2012 Angel Hands Foundation — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees raised $2,350 for the Angel Hands Foundation, a local nonprofit organization that helps families with children who are born with rare genetic disorders. The Angel Hands Foundation helps families purchase much needed medical equipment for their children and also sets up monthly social outings that their children may not otherwise be able to attend. 

2011 Now I Can — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees raised $1800 for the Now I Can foundation. The Now I Can foundation is a non-profit physical therapy organization that helps children with disabilities reach their full potential and greatest independence. 

2010 Families Helping Families (FHF) Mexico — The inability to get a home loan prohibits most families in Mexico from ever owning their own home. Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees raised $3000 toward building a new home in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Families then repay a portion of the construction cost of the new home, which creates a perpetual building fund for FHF. Ninety-eight percent of all donations go directly to programs and services. 

2009 Sunflower Orphanage Peru — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees raised over $3000 to construct a well for the Sunflower Orphanage in Peru. Steve Crandall, a Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ partner, and his family after having made numerous service trips to the Sunflower Orphanage noticed the lack of fresh water at the orphanage. After the well was constructed, a photo was received of children drinking fresh water from the new well at the orphanage. 

2008 Utah Food Bank — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ patients and staff competed to raise money and food. Together five barrels of food and $796 in cash was donated, the equivalent of providing 2,565 meals. 

2007 Give a Kid a Backpack — Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees provided impoverished Venezuelan children with backpacks and school supplies. 

2006 Operation Give — Chief Warrant Officer Paul Holton, a member of Utah Army National Guard, saw a need to bring hope and a new beginning to the children of war torn Iraq. In support of Operation Give, Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ employees gathered supplies, toys, hygiene items, clothing, shoes, etc. and filled 300 shoeboxes that were sent to children all over Iraq.