Yes, we have had a hot summer in Las Vegas and while the sun bears down on us, Toys 4 Smiles continues looking for a new home so they can continue to make and distribute wooden toys to children in need of a smile.
Toys 4 Smiles started 9 years ago (July, 2006) with five guys making toys in their garages with the goal of producing 500 toys a year. The first delivery of toys went to the Candlelighters of Southern Nevada, an organization for kids dealing with cancer. On March 30, 2008, we became "Toys 4 Smiles".
Over the years, more and more volunteers became involved. September, 2010, saw the toy operations move to a warehouse donated to us for the first year and offered thereafter at a greatly reduced rent ever since. Unfortunately, this unit has no air-conditioning, or heat, so our volunteers really suffer during the inclement months of the year.
We have more than 40 regular volunteers, and many corporate groups, that sign up to work a shift or two or more each month. Many of our volunteers are elderly and retired, and some have physical disabilities. Temperature extremes prevent some from helping as often as they would like and this situation creates another problem. One of the very positive things that Toys 4 Smiles offers our volunteers is camaraderie, a real sense of purpose and relationship. That is diminished when the climate within our building prevents people from coming and volunteering.
The mission of Toys 4 Smiles is, "to provide a toy to children of all ages in need of a smile, while providing a sense of purpose, caring and community to the volunteers." "We combine donated scrap wood with spare time to make toys that enrich the lives of all involved." Rex A. Doty - President and Founder
We have been very blessed to be the recipients of many gifts. The primary components of the toys, scrap wood, glue, and oil, are all donated by corporations that truly believe in what we do every day. We have also received gifts of equipment, supplies, shipping boxes and other items from individuals and companies alike.
Since its inception, Toys 4 Smiles has given away 224,660 hardwood toys. Today, we operate 12 shifts of volunteers a week, and depending on how many volunteers can show up, we make 3,000 to 6,000 toys per month.
Due to the increase in our lease on September 1st, we will no longer be able to make toys after the 1st of the year. We need your help in securing an affordable temperature-controlled facility for Toys 4 Smiles and the kids. This can be done by donating a building or supplying the funds to pay our lease on a building.
Please help us find a new home! : )
