In the News
December 2009
Secret Santa scores plenty of extra points
With our community exhausted from yet another University of Notre Dame coaching change, many of us have moved on to focus on what we need to do to prepare for the holidays, finding we hardly have time to breathe.
On Dec. 17, someone and his friends took a breath of a moment to make this holiday incredible for those so often forgotten. Santa, red suit, beard, black belt and boots, accompanied by several elves, surprised the Young Adult Services special needs students at Eggleston Center. The students visited excitedly with the jolly old guy, honored to accept the gifts he brought for each of them. As they filed into the hall to return to class, beaming and clinging to their treasures, one of them proudly said, "Santa is Charlie Weis!"
From all of us at Eggleston Center I would like to thank Charlie and the elves from Hannah and Friends for making this Christmas season extraordinarily bright.
December 3, 2009
SOUTH BEND ― Charlie Weis may be out as head football coach at Notre Dame, but the philanthropic impact he and wife Maura have made on the South Bend community will apparently stay put.
In September, for Maura and Charlie, a dream came true when the first residents began moving onto the long-awaited Hannah and Friends Farm. It is a haven for individuals with special needs to improve their quality of life.
Hannah and Friends began in 2003 from an idea in the Weis home. Charlie and Maura are parents of a special needs daughter named Hannah.
December 2, 2009
Weis charity to stay in South Bend
Despite former Coach Charlie Weis’ firing Monday, his family’s charity organization Hannah and Friends, named after Weis’ daughter, will continue to be headquartered and operate primarily in the South Bend area.
“Our programs will not change,” executive director Sharon Bui Green said. “We realize that there is a mission and a greater good here that we are doing for people with special needs, and [Hannah and Friends] is going to be a permanent place for people with special needs going forward.”
Green said Weis’ position as head coach of Notre Dame never affected the mission of Hannah and Friends, and although he may no longer hold that position, Weis and his wife Maura are fully committed to the organization’s mission.
November 24, 2009
(Letter to the Editor in the ND Observer newspaper)
My son is the biggest ND fan on this planet. My son also has autism. We were watching the game at Hannah and Friends. I knew my son was tense, and he could not even sit down to watch the ND/UConn game. My son’s savant area of expertise is sports. He is quite aware of the pressure Coach Weis is under. We had to abruptly leave, the game was too close, and my son’s passion for the Irish and coach was more than he could bear. He started to cry in the car. He was very overwhelmed. He finished watching the game at home. He said, “Mom you know the coach’s job is on the line here. If we lose, he will get fired. Who will support Hannah and Friends? All the Alumni care about is a winning football team.” I told him Hannah and Friends is the Weis family’s dream come to reality. They will continue their mission of compassion what ever may happen.
October 29, 2009
Schivarelli's Gift
GIVING BACK: Kudos to the legendary rock group Chicago and the band's longtime manager, Peter Schivarelli, for making it possible for four women with various disabilities to live in a brand new home in South Bend, Ind.
At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hannah and Friends Farm, a residential community for people with special needs and disabilities, four lucky women officially moved into a beautiful new home built by funds raised by the rock group Chicago and the band's charitable manager. The home is named after Schivarelli and the band, and the ladies became the first full-time residents of the Farm community, which was founded by Notre Dame's football coach, Charlie Weis, and his wife, Maura, in honor of their daughter, who has some challenges.
October 5, 2009
Hannah and Friends mentioned on CNN
Paul Keckley was featured as an expert guest this morning on CNN American Morning regarding a new Autism study published today in the Journal of Pediatrics that tracks the number of children diagnosed with Autism at a shocking new number of 1 in 91. Keckley provides perspective on what these numbers mean and context for what the survey may suggest about the growing problem
October 3, 2009
Charlie Weis: The Face of the Irish
Born and raised in Vermont to an Irish Catholic lower middle class family, it was Notre Dame on Saturday and the New England Patriots on Sunday.
So for my family, Charlie Weis has been coaching the teams we watch for a decade.
In New England, Weis was known as an offensive mastermind, the man who discovered and developed Tom Brady and a hard working man. When he was given the head coach job at Notre Dame I was as happy as ever knowing that they were getting a great coach that could really impact their offense. I, like many, thought this would take several years but he made an immediate impact bringing Notre Dame to back-to-back BCS bowl games and making Brady Quinn, a relative unknown prior to Weis' arrival, a Heisman candidate.
September 29, 2009
First residents move in at Hannah & Friends Farm
Rachael Gates is proud of her new room at the Hannah & Friends Farm. She lives in the Peter Schivarelli and Chicago Home, named for the legendary rock band and its manager. Nearby is the soon-to-open Jon Bon Jovi Home.
September 29, 2009
Hannah and Friends opens 30-acre farm
With a count of "1, 2, 3" followed by a snip of some scissors, Maura and Hannah Weis officially opened the next chapter of the Hannah and Friends organization.
The group officially opened its first residential home Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the foundation's 30-acre farm in South Bend.
"It's great," Maura Weis, the wife of Irish football coach Charlie Weis, said. "It's emotional, but happy."
September 28, 2009
First residents move into Hannah and Friends Farm
Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis has much more to celebrate than Saturday’s victory over Purdue.
On Monday, the first residents moved into the Hannah and Friends Farm in St. Joseph County.
Weis and his wife, Maura, broke ground on the more than 40-acre farm two years ago. Their teenage daughter, Hannah, suffers from global development delays so they wanted to create a place where kids and adults with special needs could live.
"For us, it's an emotional day, because here are four wonderful women that are going to have a home,” said Maura.
August 22, 2009
Charlie Weis shows softer side at Hannah & Friends Family Fest
Hannah Weis is 14 years old and suffers from global development delay. Her parents, Charlie and Maura Weis, decided they wanted to start a special foundation -- Hannah and Friends -- to support those like their daughter.
August 22, 2009
Maura Weis explains what her husband is like away from football
On Saturday, Newscenter 16 got a chance to see the softer side of Charlie Weis---a side of Charlie fans don't get to see when watching the Irish football coach do his job.
Summer 2009
Charlie's Angel: Notre Dame Coach Puts Daughter First
Getting help for the daughter of Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis was a family effort.
Hannah & Friends is named after the daughter of Charlie and Maura Weis. During the last six years, the Weis family has been raising money for awareness and to build the Hannah and Friends Farm, a community for supporting individuals with special needs.
July 19, 2009
Grant committee would like to thank supporters of Hannah & Friends Third Annual Motorcycle Run
The third annual motorcycle run for Hannah & Friends took place on July 19th at Time Out Bar and Grille. The Northern RI scenic run took off and returned to Time Out. The ride for Awareness & Compassion is to help local special needs children and young adults receive grants from Hannah’s Helping Hands program.
06/14/09
All-time Irish greats take part in Hannah & Friends golf outing
Some of the biggest names in Notre Dame football history were out at Warren Golf Course Saturday morning for the Hannah & Friends Golf Outing.
There was all-time great quarterbacks Joe Montana and Joe Theismann, Rocket Ismail, Chris Zorich and Mike Golic. And of course, there was the host, Charlie Weis.
06/13/09
Charlie and Maura Weis host Hannah & Friends Gala
Charlie and Maura Weis hosted the annual Hannah & Friends celebrity gala at the Waterford Estates in South Bend Friday night to raise money for families of children with special needs.
Among the Notre Dame celebrities in attendance were Joe Montana, Joe Theismann, Chris Zorich, Digger Phelps, Mike Golic and Ara Parseghian.
03/12/09
Jon Bon Jovi hires Coach Weis, Belichick as Backup Singers
Two surprise performers recently joined rock legend Jon Bon Jovi on stage at the Hannah and Friends St. Patrick’s Day Gala in New York City. In recognition of contributions to the sponsoring charity, those in attendance at the historic Waldorf=Astoria Ballroom on March 12 were treated to a live performance from the music icon – and his two special guest vocalists.
11/02/08
Charlie's Angel
Charlie and Maura Weis talk about raising their daughter Hannah.
09/22/08
Compassion the true spirit of Notre Dame
When my autistic son was severely depressed, I called on Maura and Charlie Weis for support. My son is a huge Notre Dame fan. His grandfather taught here and I graduated from Notre Dame. When I told my son the new coach and his wife had a special needs daughter named Hannah, he listened. I told him, you need to look at the Hannah and Friends Web site with me.
The Weis family is going to change our community, especially how people view people with different abilities, as Maura Weis so fondly refers to them.
08/12/08
The Farm is taking shape
To some, it may simply be a building.
To Hannah and her friends with “different abilities,” however, the opening of the new Eck Rec Center marks the beginning of a new home.
After numerous fundraising events and months of construction that is still ongoing, the first buildings are completed on the Hannah and Friends Farm, which will serve as a home for adults with special needs.
08/12/08
Inspiration from a Coach's Wife
"“Miles From The Sideline” is a book you have to read. It’s written by Maura Weis, the wife of Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. The book deals with “a mother’s journey with her special needs daughter.”
While her husband has a high-profile job and has accomplished much in South Bend, Ind., and with the New England Patriots before that, it pales compared to the sacrifices Maura has made raising their daughter Hannah. In the book, Maura discusses the challenges she and her family have faced – and the way their daughter has changed their lives in countless positive ways and showed them what love really is.
It’s not often we get a peek inside the private life of a high-profile coach. Knowing what Weis and his wife have done – and how they have grown as people – is inspirational. It makes a football game look like a silly and insignificant proposition. By Tom Dienhart - Yahoo! Sports
06/08/08
Quinn, Theismann, Holtz: Big Names golf for Hannah & Friends
The big names came out in full force for the Hannah & Friends Gala and Golf Classic this weekend.
Charlie and Maura Weis had to be thrilled with the turnout.
The great event concluded with a golf scramble Saturday at Warren Golf Course with the likes of Brady Quinn, Lou Holtz, Joe Theismann and Mike Golic participating.
On Friday night, the Gala was held where Hannah & Friends supporters bid on the favorite Irish celebrity they most wanted to be partnered with for a round of golf.
05/09/08
Charlie Weis Appointed To President's Committee For People With Intellectual Disabilities
President George W. Bush announced today the appointment of Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis to The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Weis was one of 13 individuals appointed to the Committee and begins his two-year term May 12, 2008.
05/09/08
Football coach chosen for President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
The phone call came just days ago, while Charlie Weis was sitting in an airplane hangar in Houston.
The calling has been with the Notre Dame head football coach much longer.
He made the promise to himself six years ago, when a surgical procedure took a near fatal turn and then, just as quickly and dramatically, offered Weis a second chance and a new perspective on life.
Friday's announcement that Weis had been appointed to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual
04/25/08
Coach's wife writes book
"Miles from the Sideline" is a book about a mother's journey with her disabled daughter.
It is also an encouraging story for other mothers who have children with special needs.
Maura Weis, wife of Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis, shares her personal challenges raising their 13-year-old daughter, Hannah, who has a rare developmental disorder.
"There are two paths that you can take when it comes to devastating news of any kind. You can break down or you can let it make you stronger," said Weis.04/19/08
Notre Dame Students Run to Support Hannah & Friends
The Blue-Gold festivities started early for many on Notre Dame's campus, and not just tailgaters.
Hundreds of students showed up despite a little rain for a 5-k run around Notre Dame's campus to benefit Hannah and Friends.
Coach Weis spoke to the crowd about Hannah and Friends before starting the race, and organizers say it was great to see the support from the student body.
02/28/08
A Conversation with Maura Weis
When you hear the name Weis mentioned along with the word sideline, you undoubtedly think of Notre Dame football. In this case, there is a Notre Dame connection, but this story takes place miles from the sideline at Notre Dame Stadium.
Maura Weis, wife of Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis, has written a book called “Miles from the Sideline.” The book covers her journey with her special needs daughter Hannah.
The Weis home is filled with pictures of a happy marriage, and a beautiful son and daughter. It seems like a storybook life, but getting to their current lifestyle wasn’t an easy journey.
02/26/08
MAURA WEIS | N.D. football coach's wife writes about daughter's ordeal in book
The hardest part, says Maura Weis, was seeing her daughter disappear before her eyes.
Hannah was born with kidney problems; doctors had, in fact, suggested a late-term abortion. But Weis -- like husband Charlie, Notre Dame's football coach -- doesn't give up easy.
After a rocky start, Hannah was developing normally. At 2 years old, she was smiling, laughing, talking. And then it just . .. faded away.
"Hannah was there, and then she wasn't," says Weis.
Her daughter stopped speaking, stopped responding. And Weis began her nightmarish hunt for what was causing the regression.
01/30/08
Hannah Dover does the Right Thing
Hannah Dover, 4th grade, Queen of Peace School -- Hannah was nominated by her teacher, Sue Bieganski of Queen of Peace School. It was brought to the attention of the school that Hannah had forgone her own birthday gifts for the past two years to help raise money for a charity, "Hannah and Friends," which raises money to better the quality of life for children and adults with special needs.
Hannah feels a special bond toward this charity because she and Hannah Weis (whom the organization is named after) are in the same grade and are about the same age. To date, Hannah Dover has raised more than $1,000 for her charity. Hannah is involved in softball and soccer, and loves to read.
09/06/2007
Maura Weis on Hannah and Friends
With the Irish football season underway, there is no doubt that Charlie Weis is a busy man. But off the field, his family devotes many hours to their charity, Hannah and Friends.
The organization was inspired by Charlie and Maura's 12-year-old daughter, who was born with special needs. Coach Weis and his wife Maura started Hannah and Friends in 2003.
Over the past four years, the charity has blossomed into a major organization, helping hundreds of kids in our area with special needs. NewsCenter 16’s Sarah Platt sat down with Maura Weis to talk about how Hannah and Friends has progressed since the family moved to Michiana in 2004.
08/06/2007
Hannah digs in for her friends
Hannah Weis dipped her shovel into the earth just south of Eggleston School, flipped the dirt off to one side and reveled in the applause.
Then the 12-year-old special needs daughter of Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis did it again -- and again -- as the flash bulbs popped and the video cameras whirred Saturday morning.
It was supposed to be symbolic, ceremonial, scripted. But in that moment, given the severity of Hannah's global developmental delays, it was magic.
07/28/2007
Coach helps raise money and awareness
Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis was in Charleston Friday, and no doubt many people expected to hear stories about coaching the Fighting Irish, the four Super Bowl rings he earned as an NFL assistant coach or his days as a University of South Carolina assistant under former head coach Joe Morrison.
But that's not why he came to Charleston.
He came here to talk about his daughter Hannah, one of more than 500,000 people in the United States affected by autism. And he came here to help raise money for Carolina Autism, a Charleston-based nonprofit organization that helps people with the disorder.
07/08/2007
Charlie Weis fights the fight for daughter Hannah
The Notre Dame football coach ventures far and away to raise money for children, like his own, who have special needs.
05/16/2007
A big win for Hannah and Friends
He's used to winning on the football field, but Tuesday Charlie Weis was looking for a victory for an entirely different cause.
The Notre Dame head coach and his wife, Maura made their presentation to the St. Joseph County Council.
04/18/2007
Maura Weis honored at human rights luncheon
Sometimes, Charlie Weis said, the wrong person gives the keynote speech.
"I'm up here because I'm head football coach of the University of Notre Dame," he told nearly 300 people gathered in Century Center for the Human Rights Awareness Day luncheon. "In reality, it should be Maura, because this charity -- it was her idea, it was her passion."
04/18/2007
Weis awed by Zibby's generosity
As Charlie Weis watched his first few snippets of tape as Notre Dame's head football coach more than two years ago, Tom Zbikowski emerged as the poster boy for what Weis was looking for in a football player.
Little did Weis know that the player who personified nasty so well would also turn out to be a man who stood for something so divergent, so, well, un-nasty off the field.
Giving back.
04/09/2007
Board OKs Weis' request for Hannah and Friends project
Originally, Charlie and Maura Weis wanted to build a farm/residential center for special-needs adults in South Carolina.
But donations for Hannah & Friends have been so good here, they're moving their "dream" to Indiana.
On Wednesday, the University of Notre Dame's football coach and his wife received a thumbs-up on the residential center for developmentally disabled adults.
04/01/2007
Weis family focuses on giving back
During the long stretch of nights when Charlie Weis was afraid to go to sleep for fear that he would never wake up, there came a promise.
He would make a difference with his second chance at life.
Months later, in the light of day, when the reality of nearly dying during gastric bypass surgery was diluted by heavy doses of normalcy, the promise remained.
Unbroken. Unabashed. Untouched by the fact that fear was no longer leveraging humility.
Eventually the promise became a dream and then a movement.
Today the miracle isn't that the Notre Dame head football coach co-created the Hannah & Friends charity with wife Maura four years ago, it's that somehow the cause never got stale, the momentum never arrested. In fact, it rolls on with more money, more reach, more ambition than ever before.
04/01/2007
Weises want those with special needs to
find home at Hannah's Farm
Charlie and Maura Weis and Sharon Bui, executive director of Hannah & Friends, share a laugh at the Weis home in Granger while recently discussing plans for a 30-acre residential community designed for adults with special needs.
3/17/07
Charity Starts at Home
Tiffany Simons from NBCsports.com sits down with Charlie Weis and his wife, Maura, to talk about Notre Dame football, Brady Quinn, and the Weises' charity work in the latest edition of Breakfast with Tiffany.
3/06/07
Zbikowski fights for Charity
Tom Zbikowski raised nearly $40,000 for several charities, including one organized by Charlie and Maura Weis, by stepping into the ring.
11/11/2006
Weis proof that dreams do come true
Charlie Weis really knows how to get into a part.
In only his second year as Notre Dame coach, he has directed magical come-from-behind wins against Michigan State and UCLA.
10/11/2006
Notre Dame Charlie's Charity
Nobody touches Charlie Weis' heart like his 11-year-old daughter, Hannah.
"Some of the things she does make you cry. Then some of the things she does ... you just laugh," the Notre Dame football coach says.
09/09/2006
UND.com and Hannah and Friends partner together for Awareness and Compassion campaign
08/29/2006
ND's first family
The house was supposed to be built in South Carolina, 10 or so years down the road -- whenever Charlie Weis exchanged his Notre Dame playbook for a permanent seat on the living-room sofa.
Plans changed. And the blueprint for his life was redrawn.
08/29/2006
Weises have a game plan for Hannah and Friends
Out of nowhere, Hannah Weis will look at her mother and ask, ''Are you happy?''
Those simple words can trigger tears of joy from Maura Weis.
08/15/2006
Maura Weis has vision for the future
08/02/2006
Giving for a cause
07/25/2006
Kickoff for Charity unites Irish coaches, past and present to raise money for charity
07/24/2006-07/31/2006
Hannah and Friends featured in Sports Ilustrated ad
06/19/2006
Celebrity outing looks to empower Hannah and Friends Organization
06/11/06
Irish eyes smiling again with Weis at the helm
06/04/06
Hannah & Friends lineup has look of the Irish
A pair of recently-retired football greats and a legendary coach are among the newcomers to the Hannah & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic, being played Saturday for the third time at True Blue Plantation.
05/21/06
Heart of the charity
03/14/06
Charlie honored at Autism Speaks
09/25/05
In the Schools...
