Willow Glen Resident

Community

Children helping children have a Merry Christmas

By Paul Lukes

It's not exactly Santa's workshop at the North Pole with elves making toys for children, but it's just as magical.

At The Sawdust Shop's woodworking center in Sunnyvale, it's volunteers from local community groups, churches and schools who were hammering and pounding away to make toys for children living in homeless shelters.

Last year, the busy woodworkers at Craig Colvin's shop built 700 toys. This year's goal was 1,100 toys.

"We made 11 types this year, including pull-toys, a three-car train, a transporter with autos, a centipede and other games like Table Bowling for boys and girls, age 2 to teenager," Colvin says.

Since opening The Sawdust Shop in 2005, Colvin has taken time out during the hectic holiday season to donate tools, materials, shop time, staff and energy to the California Santa Project. Almaden Valley resident Trey Haight created the local nonprofit organization nine years ago. He brings together area businesses and resources to provide toys for children of all ages who reside in homeless shelters throughout Santa Clara County.

"When Trey Haight came in to buy supplies and told me about his project, I offered my shop, and now we are in the third year," Colvin says.

Haight and his wife Debbie began making toys in 1998. "We wanted to see if people would come out of their houses and get involved in something bigger than themselves," says Haight. " We wanted to be an example to our children."

At the time his son was 10 and his daughter was 8 years old.

The first year the couple made 120 toys, including airplanes, jewelry boxes and pull-fish.

"We started cutting materials and putting the parts into kits that were ready-to-assemble projects. As the materials came together, we began to set up work centers on the front lawn under tents," Haight says. "We had Cub Scouts, friends, family and church members coming to spend some time with us."

As he reflects on those initial years, Haight attributes the project's growth to the people and the enjoyment they got from making the toys.

"I've come to believe that my project has grown because the process is as important as the result," he says.

Some individuals opted to contribute in goods rather than time. One person gave Haight a $250 sander, but didn't stay to use it.

"People have different ways of contributing," Haight says.

Tracie Johnson, the woodshop teacher and member of the South Bay Woodworkers, says this is the second year the group has volunteered an evening to make toys at The Sawdust Shop.

"It's a pleasure to work and socialize at the same time for such a great cause," Johnson says. "I hope the children enjoy such a special handmade gift and, just maybe, someday they may get involved in the joy of woodworking."

The Sawdust Shop has attracted a variety of individuals and family to its cause.

Saratoga Girl Scout Troop 1475 leader Shelley Cargill's daughter Laine, brother Zac, and their dad, Jim, participated along with several other troop members.

"It was a great community service project for the girls. As we sat together, we got a chance to talk about why some children might not get toys, and why their parents have trouble providing for them." Cargill says the experience was humbling and enriching.

"The girls worked hard and were proud of what they did. We all walked away tired, but feeling good," she says.

For Bellarmine College Preparatory junior Kanishk Desai, volunteering to build toys was part of his Christian service program, working on projects to help the socially and economically disadvantaged.

"I went with a couple of other varsity track team members and several other Bellarmine students. I'd never done any woodworking like that before, but it was kind of fun," he says. "And it was for a good cause."

Therin Irwin was also part of the Bellarmine group of about 15 making toy trucks and a mesh covered box, called a Bug Barn, for children to put in insects, such as crickets.

"It was a great experience," says Irwin, who returned a second time by himself.

Occasionally, young people who work on the project as part of their community service requirements are not volunteering, including one boy who had gotten into some trouble and was assigned there by the court.

"We worked together one day and talked a little about what he'd done wrong," Haight says. "He was a nice boy, and he asked his mother to bring him back, even though he had completed his required hours."

Others have the same reaction. When Saratoga Girl Scout Aaron Ball finished her volunteer shift, she also asked her father, Fred, if they could come again.

"Even though I've known Craig for 15 years, woodworking is not my thing. But it's nice for us to be able to contribute to a worthy cause," Ball says.

"People are looking for an opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way, especially when it involves bringing joy to less fortunate children during the holidays," says Colvin.

For more information about The Sawdust Shop, 452 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, call 408.992.1004 or visit www.sawdustshop.com.. For more information about the California Santa Project, contact Trey Haight at 925.784.4399.