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Like Santa's elves, DuPage Woodworkers make toys for children

Posted November 21, 2015 12:00 am

By Susan Dibble

Jeanmarie Walsh from the People's Resource Center in Wheaton looks over some of the wooden toys made by members of the DuPage Woodworkers. The resource center is one of several charities that receive toys the woodworkers make. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com

Like Santa's elves, members of the DuPage Woodworkers are busy throughout the year making toys to be delivered to boys and girls at Christmas.

This year, members made more than 1,600 wooden toys that were given to three charities at the group's November meeting.

"We would like children to enjoy Christmas," said member Keith Rosche.

What started as a small project has grown steadily. Members are given plans on how to make toys that include wooden trucks, crayon holders and farm animals. The handmade toys are left unpainted to avoid costly federal regulations that would require any paint be tested for lead. The DuPage Woodworkers group accepts men and women of all skill levels who want to learn from one another. Meetings are normally held at 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at St. James the Apostle Church, 480 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

For details, call (630) 963-3285 or visit DuPageWoodworkers.org.

Dianne Arp of Naperville boxes up wooden toys made by members of the DuPage Woodworkers to bring to St. Benedict the African East in Chicago for children in need. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com

The DuPage Woodworkers made more 1,600 wooden toys to donate to charities during the holidays. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com

Allen Hrejsa of Naperville, a member of the DuPage Woodworkers, looks over a wood truck that was among the toys donated to local charities. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com

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