Sherman Francisco of the Gwinnett Woodworker’s Association creates high quality creations for the Toys for Tots Program. The toys are crafted using full size plans from Toymaker Press.
Sherman is a master at creating high quality toys that are beautiful and timeless while at the same time being safe and durable for toddlers. His dedication to children and to the Toys for Tots program is providing hundreds of priceless keepsakes to needy kids each Christmas.
Sherman writes: Cynthia, Thank you for the blog. Actually I am part of Gwinnett Woodworker’s Assn. This means we have many different skills available; ie, scroll sawers, wood turners, wood carvers, etc. Actually the only finish I use is the Butcher’s Block Conditioner fom Home Depot to insure safety for the children. Also, all small parts are glued in place to avoid any chance of swallowing them.
Attached is a photo sample of some toys I have already made. Today I met with the Area Coordinator for Toys For Tots in the Atlanta area. These Marines donated 700,000 toys last year and would like to equal or exceed the number this year. When asked what type of toys do you need the most his answer was toys for toddlers. Do you have any suggestions that I can pass on to our woodworking group? Do you have any patterns that would meet these needs or any suggestions for me to follow-up and promote to our group?
I feel like I’m running out of time to make the number of toys that I said I would. Therefore, I didn’t paint the carpet Scooter (just a varnish and shine), and finished up a few other things that are from Steve Good’s Scroll Saw Workshop Blog. I cut out the eight rug buddy toys and started painting one of them. However, painting is really time consuming when you are trying to meet a commitment of 300 toys. I’m trying to get the scrollsaw group to which I belong to see samples of what constitutes a toy and get them started now. We meet on Monday night. That’s why the toys that I am making are basically unfinished other than adding a coat of polyurethane and beeswax for a finish. Your book on dragons will probably be my next purchase if they are similar to the rug buddy toys. I need to get the pull toys completed first for our Monday meeting.
This is the first time a woodworking group or any woodworker has made toys for this program in our area. I want it to be successful, which will include your types of toys. Any ideas or help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I will achieve my goal of 300, however, I want it to be the proper mix.
Thank you both for all the help you have given me so far. I have been promoting your plans every time I am in front of a group. Hopefully if they haven’t already, they will be purchasing your plans in the coming months. Sherman
If you can give Sherman a hand or donation drop him an email at: shermie001@bellsouth.net
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment