Local Seniors Make 500 Wooden Toys for Charity

A group of dedicated residents at Emerald Heights, a LifePlan Community in Redmond, Washington, recently made and donated 500 hand-crafted wooden toys to charity.

More than 50 residents meet once a month for the Woodshop Group where they participate in wood crafting throughout the year. However, during the holiday season the group is on a special mission to create toys that kids will never forget.

Many of the Woodshop Group members spend hours hand-crafting wooden toys they later send to local charities. The group has been making toys for more than a decade and this year, they made and donated more than 500 toys.

The volunteers use saws, sanders and other hand tools at the onsite woodworking shop to create toy ducks, airplanes, trucks, trains, buses, boats and so much more.

Once their masterpieces were complete, the residents donated to children and charity organizations in the area, including Forgotten Children's Fund, Seattle Union Gospel, Mary's Place and Fisher House. 

“It is truly a special thing to see our residents use their talents to give back to the community,” says Grant Linacre, executive director of Emerald Heights. “Year after year, a generous group of residents spend their holidays making sure all children have a special gift. It is wonderful to see the residents’ beautiful creations and knowing it is all going to such a good cause.”