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V O L U N T E E R O F T H E Y E A R

2012

WILLIAM M. HULL

Heartstrings Community Foundation

The Capital Group, LLCQuestar Capital

Integrating people with developmental disabilities into the

community is priority No. 1 for William Mack Hull and his wife,

Anne, founders of the Heartstrings Community Foundation in

Overland Park, Kansas.

Mr. Hull is a principal of the Capital Group, LLC, also in

Overland Park.

When the Hulls realized that there were no career paths available

to people like their two sons, who have special needs, they

created Heartstrings, which consists of six businesses that

employ about 50 adults with moderate to severe disabilities in

normal jobs such as sales and delivery.

The businesses include a specialty candy packaging and delivery

service and fi ve retail stores.

All are convenient to transportation, and give the workers ample

opportunities for interacting with customers and avoiding social

isolation.

The employees are so proud of their efforts and the reward of

friendships. They want to be called upon as friends because they

have diffi culty doing the calling, Mr. Hull said.

Heartstrings success has inspired the Hulls to develop plans and

licensing to expand and replicate the model.

The employees are just like everyone else, he said.

We all have our special needs, and they shouldnt be ignored.

Think about your own, and think about others.