Sun City has its very own elves located in Millgrove Woodshop. The Wooden Toy Makers are a group of residents who have been making toys to donate for two decades. Over the years, there have been cars, airplanes, doll cradles, lighthouses, puzzles, trucks, games, and more — each one unique. Al La Pelusa is the head elf who leads the Wooden Toymakers group.
La Pelusa said, “In the beginning, we didn’t have a budget or funds to buy the materials that were needed to make the wooden toys. Construction was still underway at Del Webb, and the scraps of lumber were left on the curb; they were being discarded. We were told that we were welcome to take the lumber. That was our beginning.”
When construction ended, new sources for lumber had to be explored.
La Pelusa said, “There was a company in Gilbert that built staircases, and they would donate all their scrap material. We would go every week and pick up the material.”
The wooden toymakers had the toys, but now they faced the decision of whom to choose as the lucky recipients of their work.
La Pelusa said, “We called Toys for Tots, but the charity primarily prefers new, commercially manufactured toys. They must be sturdy, safe, and free of sharp edges or toxic materials. That got us thinking about toy safety. We were lucky to have a member with 30 years of experience in the toy business, John Sterling, who was president at the time. The toys had to be safe: no toys that could be small enough to fit in a child’s mouth or have sharp points; pull toys with rope. The rope’s size had to be considered so it couldn’t strangle a child.”
This ornament was crafted by Christine Such to celebrate and mark the Woodchuck’s 20 year anniversary making toys. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
The toymakers found four places to donate the toys: Grafton Township, Community Crisis Center in Elgin, The Light Center, and Home of the Sparrow.
La Pelusa said, ‘In 2010, we decided to keep our toy donations in our community, donating to the Grafton Food Pantry. We worked with Harriet Ford, back then, who is still involved and on the board of the food pantry.”
Ford, president of the board of directors at Grafton Food Pantry, appreciates the partnership.
“For over 20 years, the Sun City Woodchucks have created beautifully handcrafted gifts for local families,” she said. “It is such a special gift for the children. Each item is unique. We are so appreciative of the thought and effort that goes into each item.”
The toys are distributed by Thanksgiving. This year, eight teams worked on the toys. The Wooden Toymakers enjoy giving gifts that let the imagination run wild. In an era of flashy electronic toys, the wooden toys are something refreshing and different. This year, the team leaders were: Andy Jones, building a candy dispenser; Paul Dehnert, designing a car; Mike Mulroe, creating a doll cradle; Karen Thacher, leading the teams for creating owl banks and dump trucks; Ed Cuttle, sports cars; Kurt Hetzel, Christmas tree jewelry dishes, and Bob Olesen, tic-tac-toe games.
When asked why the group continues to work hard at making wooden toys, La Pelusa said the hard work has a payoff: “The children receive something that they can enjoy, play with, and share. It’s rewarding to give them that.”
Next May, the group will be on a special mission to create toys that kids will never forget. For two decades, the group has crafted and donated toys, highlighting their significant contribution to local charities. Sun City celebrates that anniversary with a special ornament highlighting the Woodchuck group. To order the ornament, contact Cheryl Ross at 773-351-8290
