Community Service

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Text Box: Toys! Toys! Toys! The toy production began with a gentleman by the name of Irv Aydelotte from Delmar, DE. Irv, or “Poor ol’ Irv” as he was affectionately know, joined the Mason Dixon Woodworkers approximately 18 years ago. When he joined the club , he was already active in making toys in the shop next to his home. He asked other members to join him. Through that request, approximately 15 people joined him in his effort. Due to their dedication the number of toys has increased to approximately 1200 toys per year. The toys are produced all year long, some at the same shop in Delmar, and some at the homes of the volunteers. The distribution of the toys to about 20 organizations takes place on the first Saturday in December . They, in turn, deliver the toys to individual families in need. The toy campaign was long the dream of Irv’s. He made sure his dream would remain alive even after he was gone. He made a request through his daughter to his wife, Doris Aydelotte, that she would allow the woodworkers to continue to use his workshop to make toys after his death. She has graciously done that and continues to allow the woodworkers to meet and make toys. The woodworkers will continue to meet to make toys as long as funds and workplace are available. There is hope that a larger facility can be arranged in the future since this facility does have its limitations. Don Connell currently heads up this hearty group that continues to

Text Box: An article appeared in the Wilmington News Journal, Kent and Sussex Crossroads section on September 27, 2008 which described the origin of the toys program.

Text Box: A sampling of the toys built under the toys outreach program

Text Box: The town of Delmar, which has a railroad history, renovated a caboose as a static display to represent that heritage. The Mason Dixon Woodworkers provided labor and woodworking skills to achieve an attractive reminder.

Community Service

Text Box: The Mason Dixon Woodworkers Club has an annual project of making toys. For the past several years a group of our club members have met every Wednesday throughout the year, to produce approximately 1300 toys annually. We distribute those toys to organizations on the 1st Saturday of December every year. Those organizations have the toys in time to distribute them to children who might not receive other toys for Christmas. Every year we are faced with a major task to raise money to produce these toys. In the past, we have needed an average of about $4 in materials to produce each toy. If you have ever seen these toys, you realize that a value of $25, or more, for most of these toys is not unrealistic. Using an average of $25 per toy means that we are making approximately $32,500 of toys available at Christmas time for children in our area. We are able to maintain this low cost because of a volunteer staff of woodworkers, donated materials, and careful shopping. A donation from you, of any amount, would be appreciated, not only by the Mason Dixon Woodworkers, but also by the children who receive them. A $50 donation would be enough to produce about $300 worth of toys. If you are able to make a donation, please make your check payable to the Mason Dixon Woodworkers and mail it to Pat Lemley at the address below. The club, the distributing charity organizations, and the children will be most grateful. Pat Lemley, Chairman Outreach Committee 8224 Robin Hood Drive Salisbury, MD 21804 Phone 410 742 6863 E-mail Contact Pat#

This picture was received by the Toy’s Program earlier in 2009. Paul Collins, one of the regular workers as a MDWW toy project, gave some toys to a friend involved with a church that distributes toys to kids. The picture had the following hand-written message on the back:.

“This toy was delivered on a work detail from a church in Middletown, MD by the father of Mrs. Thomas Adkins,

Sesia Bodden

El Progresso, Honduras January 2009

Text Box: Other projects where the Mason Dixon Woodworkers provided their skills to a worthwhile community endeavor are depicted below.

Text Box: In 2002 a four-year old boy named Ben passed away from leukemia. Looking for a way to preserve his memory, his parents focused on the run-down playground at the west entrance of the Salisbury Zoo. They decided to headline a campaign to build a new play area for the children. Two years later Ben’s Red Swings opened to the joy of many youngsters.

Text Box: An article appeared in the December 6, 2009 edition of The Daily Times written by Brice Stump in which he explains the toy outreach program that is run by the MDWW Club.

News Articles

Text Box: Toymakers Left to Right: Don Connell, Ed Wahalla , Ron Messick, Donald Fleetwood, Bob Williams, Jack Myers, Herman Staats, BettyStaats, Jim Ware and Paul Collins.

Text Box: A map puzzle of the United States, one of the toys made by the MDWW, is donated to the kids section of the Wicomico County Library on the left and to the new Seaford, DE library on the right.

Text Box: Below A certificate of appreciation is given to Jack Myers by the Seaford Salvation Army as Toy Program Chairman Don Connell appears on the left.

Text Box: The leader of the toymakers, Don Connell, discusses with Ron Messick one of the toy projects to be built.

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Text Box: An article appeared in The Daily Times in mid November of 2010 written b y Wallace McKelvey with pictures by Matthew Gumby telling of the pending delivery of toys and the process leading up to this date.