Retired Couple Makes 1,400 Wooden Toys For Disadvantaged Children And Promises To Keep Their Good Work Going Throughout The Year

A kind-hearted couple in Desert Hot Springs, California, have stepped up their wood-working hobby to give 1,400 wooden toys to children suffering during the pandemic. Mike and Judy Sullivan have for years made little wooden toys and distributed them to children in need across their local area but given that there are far more children and families suffering this year, they decided to dedicate themselves full-time to making children smile.

The couple, who just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, began making toys after taking a wood-working course a number of years ago as a hobby during their retirement. Mike had a long-time love of wooden ornaments and toys. Having grown up in a family in Montana, his often struggling father would create all of his children's toys out of wood himself. Two of his older brothers even went on to become carpenters.

The 26-year army veteran told CNN:

"Most of the things I got were handmade toys. They were wonderful toys, I know how much I enjoyed them and just hope that kids that get them now still do."

Working flat-out this year, the couple have produced 1,400 wooden toys, with Mike overseeing the woodwork and Judy handling decoration and distribution. The beautiful creations include trucks, fire-engines, puzzles and racing-cars.

The couple then distributes the toys through local kindergartens and a variety of charitable organisations. The production of the toys this year alone cost $19,000, but some of this cost has been covered by donations from well-wishers and kind-hearted citizens. Mike has even been looking into purchasing a 3D printer in order to crank up production to another level and thereby produce far more toys for far more children.

Given current circumstances, they will also now be continuing to produce toys throughout the year and not just at the festive period, meaning that the joy they bring at Xmas can be felt all-year-round.

Mike and Judy added:

"We're both in good health and are able to be out here six to seven days a week for eight to 10 hours. It's so much fun, it feels like home here in the shop working things out. It makes me feel very warm inside. I love it. I wouldn't change anything for the world."

Although the unemployment rate has fallen somewhat since the start of the pandemic, in July, over 50 million Americans were out of work and much of the population was reliant on stimulus checks from the government. It is feared that if the stimulus program is not maintained through the next stage of the pandemic, huge numbers of American adults and American children could find themselves without shelter or the necessities for life.