Sawdust and Service – Handmade Wooden Vintage Toys Connecting Kids

A friendship was born recently between two men with a passion for sawdust and serving.  Joel Wallen leads the Youth Leadership Program at Youth Crossroads, Inc.  It’s a non-profit community organization acting in the best interest of youth, guiding them through life’s challenges, and inspiring them to discover new opportunities for personal development, healthy relationships, and positive community involvement.  Joel’s always loved creating with wood, which is part of what lead him to Steve Lefko, the founder of Hope Houses Workshop, Inc.  Hope Houses builds dollhouses and toys, and publishes storybooks that spark imagination and grow young minds for parents wanting the best for their child while making a difference in another.  It’s a socially conscious buy-one give-one business partnered with prominent child and family service agencies in Chicagoland. 

Development of a new line of vintage wooden toys sparked an idea – why not invite the Youth Leadership Program teens to build toys for the Head Start children of Hephzibah Children’s Association of Oak Park, a founding Give Partner of the Workshop.  “The workshop exists to grow imaginations, connect people and promote a Family is Key belief; these three organizations working together is magical”, says Lefko.  Joel’s teens built over sixty toys at the workshop over three evenings before delivering them to the Hephzibah classrooms.  They built three types: jacob’s ladder, tops, and a rubber band propelled car, each with a handwritten and encouraging note for the young recipient.   “The workshop environment and this hands-one project is fun and rewarding these YLP youth.  We’re happy to be connected to work of Hope Houses and Hephzibah.” says Wallen.

The project culminated with a surprise delivery to Hephzibah’s Head Start classrooms.  Karla, a YLP alum and recent Morton West High School graduate, presented toys to the eager children.  Merry Beth Sheets, Hephzibah’s Executive Director experienced the event.  “A huge thank you to all for choosing us for this incredible project.  The connection between our organizations is so very special.  It was amazing to see our kids eyes light up when each toy was being demonstrated, they could hardly wait to pick the one they wanted and absolutely loved the toys.  Thank you so much” says Sheets.

“We don’t have to be huge organizations to have huge impact” says Lefko.  “We each do very different things; however, we’re very much connected in the way we do them – out of love and one child at a time.”

Is making a difference in children outside your rectangle on your to-do list?  It’s easy and important; check out Youth Crossroads, Hephzibah Children’s Association and Hope Houses Workshop, Inc. for help on how.