In California, a retired couple created a real-life Santa's workshop and managed to make more than 1,400 charming wood toys to give away this holiday season. It started as a simple hobby. "After retirement, I got bored and needed something to do," Mike Sullivan, 72, told CNN. He and his wife, Judy, joined a woodworking club and got hooked after giving the toys they built to kids around the holidays. Seven years later, after their 50th wedding anniversary, they are still at it. "We're both in good health and able to be out here six to seven days a week for 8-10 hours," Mike said. "It's so much fun. It feels like home here in the shop working things out." While Mike designs and constructs the toys, Judy manages quality control and decor, painting and spray-painting the wooden figures. From trucks to trains, ducks on a string to animal figurines to puzzles, the Sullivans give away umpteen kinds of toys to classrooms and food pantries. They've even mailed them across the U.S. free of charge. "As long as I can afford it, I can send them where I can," Mike said.
On a mission to comfort children in need
This year, their toys were especially needed with so many parents out of work due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy.
The Sullivans give away many of the toys outside their home in the Coachella Valley.
They are extra careful scheduling folks at intervals to come check out the toys.
"We try to enforce safe distancing and masking," said Mike.
This week, they're delivering hundreds of toys to a kindergarten class, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and a church food pantry. They've mailed toys as far away as Indiana and Texas. Not only are the toys free, but the couple pays for the shipping although, they admit, that's getting tough.
we need such people like this we salute the efforts of both couple.
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