For 30 years the Rotary Club of Charles Sturt Grange has been making wooden toys to distribute to children who maybe otherwise not get much for Christmas.

Article by District 9510 Public Image team, Amelia Mulcahy - Channel 7 News Ray of Sunshine Session and ABC: Stacey Lee, Nikolai Beilharz

Imagine the smiling faces of the 500 children who received these wonderful handmade wooden toys recently for Christmas ...

The Rotary Club of Charles Sturt Grange since 1992 have been making wooden toys to give to not for profit charities within South Australia to distribute to children who may not otherwise get much for Christmas.

Yes for 30 years this project which they affectionately call "The Toy Boys" is made up of Rotary members who volunteer their time and skills to make wooden toys, such as pop up toasters; sewing machines; ironing boards; rocking horses; baby cradles; cars; trucks and pull along toys like the duck with her ducklings in the video captured by 7NEWS Adelaide's Ray of Sunshine session, https://vimeo.com/779571594

We would also like you take a moment to listen to the wonderful ABC Adelaide Radio interview by Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz where they interview Peter Read, President and member of Rotary Club of Charles Sturt Grange. It's wonderful to listen to why they do what they do ... https://vimeo.com/779571861

We would like to say a big thank you to Amelia Mulcahy for her wonderful story on this TV session and also to Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz for their wonderful Radio interview. It's always great when media talk about what Rotary are doing in the community.

This project is a wonderful community project for the following reasons;

1. Has a positive impact on the younger generation.
2. It also enables volunteer Rotary members to use their vocational skills in making these wonderful toys, doing plans, models etc for future generations.
3. Reuses wood/timbers - recycling and environmentally friendly project
4. Skills passed onto next generation - Findon High School students participate in learning how to make these toys.
5. Fellowship and fun whilst making the toys
6. Connecting with other service clubs to make a difference in the community.

Would you like to get involved with this project and/or do you think you may have some materials to donate? If you have any questions, please reach out to the Rotary Club of Charles Sturt.