Alton Thacker, a retired barber, but he’s not ready to slow down, and it’s for a good reason.
Thacker and his wife Cheryl founded Tiny Tim’s Toy Foundation 16 years ago, located in West Jordan, Utah, where they, along with volunteers, build toys for kids in need.
The toys they make are little cars, made with simple wood and a painted smile, to be given to children in need around the globe, thanks to the help of other charities, churches, children’s hospitals, and sometimes truckers that stop by for a box to drop off toys to kids along their routes.
The toy factory with a kind heart just hit a huge milestone, too . . . this year, the Thatcher’s and their team of volunteers made their 1 millionth toy!
Of the factory’s efforts, Thatcher says, “For every car we finish and give away, there’s always another child who needs one.” He continues, “For some kids around the world, one of our little wooden cars is the first and only toy they’ll ever get.“
They turn out between 80,000 and 120,000 wooden cars a year, thanks to the help of their volunteers, who are mostly retirees like in their 80s, like the Thatchers.
Wade Bender, a 74 year old retired high school biology teacher and football coach, drives 60 miles round trip to volunteer at Tiny Tim’s every Tuesday.
Bender says, “The highlight of my week is coming to the factory to help sand cars.”
Tiny Tim’s Foundation uses leftover wood donated by local lumber yards and cabinetmakers, while the rent for the factory is covered by a generous benefactor, and the paint and brushes are bought with donations.
“All that’s left to invest at Tiny Tim’s is time,” says Thacker.
There’s a regular rotating crew of 35 volunteers, but help also comes from churches and Boy Scout groups who sign up for shifts to sand the cars or put on wheels.
The majority of the painting is done by inmates at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, UT.
Bender, and his wife Susan, have delivered cars to the prison to be painted a few times, and noticed the impact this foundation has even had on the felons, especially during the holidays.
He shares, “They’ll tell us, ‘This is the first time I’ve done something for somebody else, thank you,’ ” Bender continues, “Many of them are fathers. So they know what the toys they’re painting can do to boost the spirits of a child.”
The last box gets filled with cars on Christmas Eve for volunteers to hand out, then it’s time for a quick break for Thacker and his wife, who plan to kick back on the couch, enjoy a holiday movie, and reflect on the past year.
“At the end of December, we’re tired,” says Thacker, “but our hearts are full. It makes me feel good to see the impact we’re making. I’ve always said that the secret of happiness is to make somebody else happy. So after the New Year, we’ll start all over again.”
(MSN)
