Choose Life Toymakers would not exist without the inspiration and expertise of Bill Distel.
Before moving to Buena Vista, Distel volunteered for a non-profit in Las Vegas for 8 years making small wooden toys with wheels to give away to kids who need a smile.
âWhen I heard of this woodworking outreach, I enlisted Billâs help to start Choose Life Toymakers in Buena Vista, Mary Lee Bensman, Â founder and CEO said. âBill had samples of the toys made in Vegas. He taught me the system: Make a pattern, drill holes, cut, sand, glue wheels.â
Distel is a wealth of information about the program itself, according to Bensman. âHe has basically predicted how this endeavor would unfold from his experience. He knew volunteers would start helping. He knew the toys would be a hit with kids and adults. He knew it would grow.â
Distel inspired wood toymaker chaffeecountytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chaffeecountytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The nonprofit has grown since it was profiled in The Times last month.
Choose Life founder Mary Lee Bensman said that the group has four new volunteer toymakers, all of whom are new to the craft of woodworking and are receiving on-the-job training.
âOf course, if you are a woodworker and have a shop that is a bonus,â Bensman said.
The project is also looking for volunteers with experience in grant-writing.
Choose Life Toymakers also has a bank account at Collegiate Peaks Bank. Donations to the project can be made through this account.
The project is also receiving donations of cull lumber from local companies, and is looking for partners to help distribute the toys.