For more than 30 years, members of CWC have built and donated toys to the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). CAP is a non-profit Christian organization committed to serving people in need in Appalachia. CAP serves all of Appalachia including portions of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. The toys made by CWC members are distributed by CAP to needy Appalachian children in five counties around Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. For many of the children, these toys may be the only gifts they receive for Christmas.
In November 2007, the CWC honored one its members by renaming this perennial toy program The Jim Schaefer Toy Project. As background, Jim started the Club's participation in this project in 1988, when members were looking for a way to contribute. He continued to lead the program for about 15 years. Over the years, he and his wife Sylvia made hundreds of toys and other items for children. Each year, they loaded their van with the donated items from CWC and made the trip to Mt. Vernon, KY for delivery. Occasionally, two trips were required. In 2003, he handed the leadership reins to Terry Elfers & John Leonardi to take over stewardship of the project. The club participation and number of items contributed has increased every year. In spite of challenging health problems, Jim, with Sylvia's support, remained an ardent toy maker and supporter of the project. Sadly, Jim died on May 28, 2008, but the Toy Project he started lives on.
We invite all area woodworkers, CWC members and non-members alike, to participate in this worthy project. Toys are collected each year at the November meeting. If you would like more information contact: Gene Wiggs
Toy Safety Guidelines -
These are just guidelines to minimize risk. They don't cover all federal requirements, but are to be used as a good faith effort to help us produce safe toys. Please feel free to come to any meeting and ask questions. Likewise, you can e-mail Larry Saupe if you have questions.
Photos in The Jim Schaefer Toy Project Gallery
If you're looking for ideas for toys or other items to make, check out the Samples of Toys and Other Items that members have contributed over the past 20+ years.