Our Mission
The mission of Oh Happy Play! is to close the play gap by providing access to sustainably sourced toys and materials that inspire creativity and imagination through independent play and meaningful peer interactions.
Our History
In 2019, what was then Ponytails & Playmates, participated in the Dubuque Potential on Central - Central Express Initiative. A program, of Dubuque Main Street, the goal was to drive holiday business to the downtown corridor. It was during that time we started collecting unwanted toys to donate back to the community for Christmas. The overwhelming success of that drive inspired us to create Oh Happy Play a month later. Following the COVID epidemic we became even more committed to getting toys and play items into the hands of children in our community and making toys available throughout the year.
Our Founder
Oh Happy Play! was founded by Jacqueline Hunter, a wife, mother, Veteran, and former K-12 educator and recreation professional. Her career spans 25 years. Although she has been honored for her work in education, recreation, and in communities, her greatest joy is in seeing young people reach their full potential.
An advocate for young people, her work is committed to closing the opportunity and play gap for children from limited income families.
An avid outdoors person, she loves camping, hiking, and kayaking. She also enjoys traveling to historic sites, visiting living history museums and reading her endless catalog of history books. She is a diehard fan of the TV series West Wing and has the show on repeat in her office.
Jacqueline is former Assistant Professor of Education at Clarke University and adjunct at Divine Word College. Committed to growing Oh Happy Play, she left teaching in 2023. Currently, Jacqueline is a birth & postpartum doula, substitutes in Dubuque Schools, and is working to expand outreach of OHP programs.
Our Board of Directors
Amanda Staade President
Kate Parks Vice President
Kate Parks Vice President
I grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa, where my parents still live today. My mom was an elementary teacher, so I spent my entire childhood around the public schools and seeing the importance of play both in the school and home settings. I attended Iowa State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree. During my time at Iowa State, I learned that I wanted to work with children in some capacity. My husband’s job with John Deere brought us to Dubuque almost 18 years ago. We have a son and daughter that both attend public school in Dubuque.
I have worked in retail, banking, childcare and recently as a substitute teacher within the Dubuque Community School District. During this most recent career path my eyes have been opened to the inequality and inequity in our education system. I have been involved with Lincoln PALs (People Associated with Lincoln School) from 2018-current, most recently at President and currently as Treasurer. During my time with this group, I have worked to provide more opportunities for the students and families in our school. From 2015-2021 I was involved with the Dubuque Montessori School and from 2017-2021 I was on their Board of Directors. Both of my children attended here from the age of 2 through their preschool year. During this time, I gained a lot of education on how important play is for the child and how many educational opportunities are lost or not fully developed without play.
Once I met Jackie and learned of Oh Happy Play and their mission in the Spring of 2021, I knew I needed to be involved to be able to provide other children the same opportunities my children have been afforded. We both had sons in the same 2nd grade classroom and they became best friends due to their shared love of Legos, especially Lego Ninjago, going swimming, playing outdoors and creative play. Jackie and my daughter bonded over their shared love of everything dolls and they can both be seen working on doll hair or dressing dolls when spending time at Oh Happy Play. I have most recently taken on the role of reorganization and day to day operations of the physical store. The generosity of donors, and appreciation of shoppers is what keeps me engaged with Oh Happy Play Outside of Oh Happy Play, I can be found coaching my son’s baseball team or daughter’s softball team, watching them play soccer with DSC, or attending one of the multitude of events they participate in. As a family we love to attend Iowa State Football games in the Fall, and spend as much time with family as possible.
Kate Parks Vice President
Kate Parks Vice President
Kate Parks Vice President
Kate Parks grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa where her parents and some family members still live. She first fell in love with the city of Dubuque as a first-generation student at Loras, where she graduated with a BA in sociology, history, and German in 1998. Following graduation, Kate had the opportunity to live in Austria as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant. Upon her return, she then moved around the country living, studying, and working in Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri, and New Mexico before returning to Dubuque. She graduated with her MA (’03) and PhD (’07) in Sociology at Texas A&M University. She works at Loras College as an Associate Dean and Professor of Sociology. Her teaching and research interests have focused on issues of inequality and inequity in education. Kate has been actively involved in the community as a member of the Human Rights Commission, member of the Prescott PCO, and as President of the Dubuque Community School Board. Kate and her husband, Todd, have a daughter and son, both of whom attend or will attend Dubuque Public Schools. Kate was immediately impressed by the mission of Oh Happy Play and knew she wanted to be involved.
Erika Haugen Treasurer
Kate Parks Vice President
Erika Haugen Treasurer
As a Board Member of Oh Happy Play since its founding in 2019, I bring over 20 years of experience in community development and the non-profit sector. My specialization lies in connecting individuals and organizations with capacity-building resources, a role I continue to fulfill at Oh Happy Play.
Before joining Oh Happy Play, I worked for the City of Dubuque and served as the Director of Dubuque and Jackson Counties Habitat for Humanity. In these roles, I identified and secured local, state, and federal resources to increase affordable housing in our community. This included collaborating with the State of Iowa to secure a $31.5 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to improve stormwater infrastructure and enhance housing in flood-prone areas of Dubuque. One of the highlights of the two-year grant application process was engaging with flood-impacted residents to ensure the grant award met their housing needs.
Outside of Oh Happy Play, you will find me in the garden. I am passionate about involving families and children in growing their own food, creating pollinator gardens, and developing functional outdoor spaces. Whether working on small urban gardens or consulting on larger community projects, my focus is ensuring that the end-users feel a sense of belonging in the space.
Support Our Work
We receive no public funding. Every contribution, no matter the amount, supports our mission to keep toys in the hands of children in our community.