The toys, many of which are handmade by CWC members, are distributed through CAP’s Christmas Basket program to children and families in need in five counties of Kentucky. Others are delivered to CAP’s Children and Family Development Centers which host daycare, educational and afterschool programs for children.

In 1988, the club made its first donation to CAP, and it has been bringing toys, puzzles, and furniture ever since. There are over 150 members in the club, mostly retired. Some are professional woodworkers, more are experience hobbyists, while others are amateurs learning the craft. The organization funds its work, in part, by hosting an annual auction that sells donated woodworking tools, books and other materials with proceeds used to buy toy-making supplies.

In November 2007, the CWC renamed the toy donation program, “The Jim Schaefer Toy Project”. Jim, who passed away in 2008, started the project in 1988 and led the program for about 15 years. Over the years, he and his wife Sylvia made hundreds of toys and other items for children. Each year, they loaded their van with the donated items from CWC and made the trip to Mt. Vernon, Kentucky for delivery. Occasionally, two trips were required!

“I marvel at the generosity of others,” said Leonardi, co-chair of the program. One member made over 200 individual pull toys. “Each toy had twelve wheels apiece, that’s over 2,400 wheels!” And participation in the program isn’t limited to Cincinnati residents. A mother in Wyoming made bedding for her son, who created wooden cradles for the children of Appalachia. The baby dolls for the cradles were donated by Kathy and Janet Lennon, of The Lennon Sisters, singers regularly featured on The Lawrence Welk Show.

The club has expanded its community service outreach to include several other worthy causes in the Cincinnati area. Toys are donated to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and furniture to Jackson Area Ministries, a mission activity of the United Methodist Church.

For more information about The Cincinnati Woodworking Club, visit www.cincinnatiwoodworkingclub.org.

For more than 20 years, The Cincinnati Woodworking Club (CWC), founded in 1982, has been donating handmade wooden toys to the children of the Christian Appalachian Project. This year, the club gave over 1,600 toys, including stuffed animals and wooden planes, trains, cradles and rocking horses.

At only three years old, you wouldn’t think that CAP would have had time to play a vital role in the Daniel’s life. But block by block, CAP programs have built a foundation for success for a child born and raised in McCreary County, KY, one of our nation’s most impoverished counties.

Before Daniel began participating in CAP’s children’s programs, he didn’t like to share, and he had trouble communicating with others. But his mother notes dramatic improvements due his enrollment in CAP’s Preschool and Toddler Programs. “He’s an only child, and it’s helped him learn how to share and get along with other children,” she said. “He was so energetic and would talk really fast. Sometimes we couldn’t understand him.”

Daniel’s preschool teacher at CAP’s Child and Family Development Center confirmed his early struggles. “He hated naptime, and he had a hard time learning to play with other children” said one teacher. “But he’s always been polite and a very bright child. He’s a really quick learner.”

It’s so important for a child as bright as Daniel to develop the skill God has given. According to recent studies, children who do not receive support for healthy development in the areas of motor, language and social skills at an early age are more at risk for dropping out of school, committing crime, and receiving welfare payments as an adult (Burr & Grunewald, 2006). And in an area like McCreary County, those opportunities are far and few between. Daniel’s mother, Sheila, appreciates the educational head-start her son is receiving. “A lot of people where I live don’t have a lot of education. They didn’t get to go to school. So to be able to put my child in a program that will teach him this early is wonderful for me,” she explained.

Already, Daniel knows his ABC’s, can count up to twenty and has shown an interest towards anything farming-related. He loves farm animals, especially chickens and cows. And for Christmas, Daniel knew exactly what he wanted. “All my son wanted for Christmas this year was a little tractor,” said Sheila, “but times are hard, and it is very hard to provide for a child.”

But with a little help from CAP’s Christmas Basket program, Daniel may get his wish. Daniel’s family is participating in the program, which matches donors across the country with families in need during the holidays who may otherwise go without food and presents during Christmas. Daniel’s mother finds the holidays especially difficult. “I find my self thankful at times that I have only one child. It’s really hard during Christmas with just one.” But she’s inspired by the generosity of the donors. “It’s great to know that there’s somebody out there that’s willing to share and give a gift to people that are in need.”

But the support for Daniel and his family doesn’t end there. Recently, CAP helped replace the family’s roof and five windows. “Five out of seven windows were broken,” said Sheila, “and I can’t tell you how grateful I am that CAP helped fix our home.” The repairs will help ensure Daniel will live in safe environment, free leaks and bone chilling drafts that can plague a child’s health.

Just like his block fort, the foundation for Daniel’s success is built with several programs of various shapes and sizes. Without one, the others would come crumbling down. Your continued generosity and prayers are essential to the children and families of Appalachia. Without you, our donors, the support for Daniel and thousands of children just like him, would not be available.

But during winter months, deep snow makes the trail all but impassible for weeks at a time. Luanne is 62 years old, and lives alone. A mother of four and a grandmother to four more, she has lived in the area for decades. Nearly 20 years ago, she decided to build a home of her own, but she didn’t have the funds to complete it. “I sure had big dreams for this place, but I didn’t have enough money to finish it up. So I did the best I could with it,” recalls Luanne.
Lacking the money to purchase the proper supplies, Luanne resorted to whatever materials she could afford. That meant using scrap wood for siding, little to no insulation and improperly installed doors and windows.

Summer months were hard on Luanne, because the walls and windows did little to keep out the searing heat, causing temperatures to get dangerously high inside the house. And snakes, some of which were poisonous, slithered through crevices into her home to find shelter from the summer sun. But winter posed an even greater threat.

Gaps between the frames of doors and windows allowed brutal winter wind to blow into Luanne’s home. Ice would accumulate on the insides of walls and around window sills. In a desperate attempt to block the cold air, Luanne would stuff plastic bags and tattered pieces of clothing into the holes. But this did little to keep the house warm or lower her high heating bills.

Before

The physical hardships caused by such conditions were difficult enough, but the emotional toll of living in isolation is especially hard on Luanne. She grew up as one of eleven children, but sometimes she goes weeks without seeing a soul. “I sit here by myself until someone comes by,” says Luanne. Her son does visit occasionally and helps carry Luanne’s garbage down the hillside. The sanitation department refuses to drive up to the house due to the unsafe driveway. But her most reliable connection to rest of the world is an old police scanner. She says she doesn’t listen to it much because “it’s too depressing,” but the voices that come across the airwaves help to fight off the loneliness. When she does get the opportunity to enjoy a conversation, Luanne speaks quickly and full of energy. “I guess I talk a lot when people are around, because I normally don’t have nobody to talk to,” confesses Luanne.

After

Thanks to the support of friends like you; however, Luanne is no longer struggling alone. Last spring, CAP volunteers replaced her home’s windows and doors and added new siding and insulation. The repairs will not only make the house more comfortable to live in, but Luanne estimates that her electric bill will be cut in-half this winter. “I appreciate everything CAP’s done here, and I appreciate the donors for helping CAP do all this,” said a grateful Luanne.

It is only through your prayers and support that CAP is able to make the necessary repairs to Luanne’s home. So many seniors and families in Appalachia spend countless winter nights in insufficient shelters struggling to remain warm. Your continued generosity is essential to those like Luanne who are in need of our compassion and assistance.