Santa isn’t the only person who brings joy to boys and girls by making toys.
So do the Kiwanis of Longmont, but this year has been a struggle for them to make ends meet.
Each year that Kiwanis of Longmont make over 10,000 toys that are donated to agencies serving children in need, said Candi Hayes, Kiwanis volunteer.
In July, the Kiwanis were struggling to raise money to fund their volunteer version of Santa’s Workshop. . While waiting for those efforts to be allowed again under the pandemic protocols the Kiwanis made plans to attend events, such as craft shows, to sell their wares. However, these exhibition shows have all been canceled.
In a typical year, the nonprofit attends “a dozen or so” exhibition shows, said Marvin Peursem, Kiwanis member and project coordinator. “It is generally enough that we can sell toys to purchase the needed supplies and they have all been canceled so we are running short of funds.”
Due to the extra time volunteers have had during the pandemic the Kiwanis volunteers have made 13,000 toys. “This is the most we have ever made,” Peursum said.
To help spread the holiday joy near and far, the Kiwanis are changing tactics to sell their handmade toys.
They will be hosting three, in-person Saturday Handcrafted Wooden Toy Sale on Nov. 21, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their upstairs workshop at Mountain View Welding, 1240 Kimbark St. for the community to purchase toys. The toys are handmade, wooden toys ranging from $5 to $40. Cash and check only.
Face masks will be required and the number of visitors will be limited at a given time. Other COVID restrictions will be observed for entry, Peursum said.
If individuals would like to call to set up a private time or purchase a toy and have it delivered to their home, they can text Peursum at 303-618-7452. Donations are also accepted and can be mailed to Kiwanis of Longmont, P.O. Box 1002, Longmont, CO 80502.
