Mike Sullivan, a former construction worker, took up woodworking after he and his wife, Judy, retired. He was enjoying carving things in his workshop, but he wanted to create something with more purpose.
Sullivan had been thinking about the single present he'd received in 1954 when he was growing up in a small mining town. His father earned $1 a day and couldn't afford a New Year gift. He then made a small wooden horse, which Sullivan considered the best New Year present ever.
Sullivan talked about it with Judy and they decided to start making wooden toys to give away to kids on New Year's Day. That first year, they made 360 toys.
The Sullivans now make about 1,500 toys each year to donate to local children's charities, school districts and homeless shelters. Local businesses give them much of the wood, but the couple still dip into their own money every year to keep their workshop running. "My sales policy is not to collect a single penny. Everything we make is given away," said Sullivan.
Last year, the couple's daughter started a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of some materials and tools. People have donated more than $1,500 so far this holiday season.
This December, all the toys they made were distributed to local charities to behanded out to children from poor families. They are now getting a head start on next year's toy workload.
The couple are now at work on the toys seven days a week, sometimes for 10hours a day. "Making toys keeps my mind active. I can't just sit there and stare at a TV all day. The work really gives me a boost. Some days are easier than others, but they're all rewarding," said Sullivan. "I might take a day or two off after the New Year, but that's it. As long as there's a need out there, I don't get to take many vacations."
