ToyMakers holiday party and awards banquet

ToyMakers of East Lake held a holiday party and awards banquet on December 6, 2015. As an all volunteer organization, the individual volunteers and supporters make possible our mission to provide smiles one toy at a time to thousands of sick and needy children. In 2015, the group delivered over 12,000 toys and 400 bicycles. At this event, President Bob Helms awarded plaques and wooden mini-truck business card holders to a number of volunteers and supporters for their extraordinary service. Janet Helms made the award plaques and Wayne Gable made the “truck” business card holders.

Vince Falini, not present at the party, was recognized for drawing up plans for a much-needed building addition to provide more work space and a covered porch area. He originally contacted ToyMakers about donating toys he had made. He subsequently volunteered to provide the plans to remodel the back side of the building.

ToyMakers did not have adequate funds and resources at the time to begin the construction project or to pour the concrete pad, which was identified as the first need for the building project to proceed. Bob Rath, a long-time ToyMakers volunteer, received an award for providing the funds for the concrete and labor to initiate this project.

Special recognition was given to Jamie Gillespie of Creative Visions Remodeling and Joe McCoy of Augustine Construction, Inc., who led all of the permitting and construction efforts and performed the majority of the work. Harry Oun, who assisted with the electrical and lighting plans received recognition along with Gary Stutzman of Stutzman Electric, who handled the wiring and lighting but was not present at the party.

Buck Reuter received a special recognition of his many contributions over the past year. First, he led the remodeling of our bathroom, donating both his time and materials. Next he donated the beautiful double doors for our room addition. After the tragic death of one of Jamie’s carpenters, Buck personally financed two carpenters to complete the framing. Finally, Buck primed and painted the entire room addition and porch. The finishing touch occurred when Joe McCoy sent his men over to place an epoxy finish to the floor.

Also not present was Mike Funkhouser of Sherwin-Williams, Trinity, FL who donated all of the paint for the ToyMakers’ building and room addition. Mike has been a loyal supporter of ToyMakers of East Lake since its founding in 2007.

All 96 attendees enjoyed a wonderful covered dish dinner and the opportunity to spend quality time with our good-hearted volunteers.