who we are

we build toys

Each year, members of the San Fernando Valley Woodworkers come together to design and build handmade toys for children in need. These toys are given as gifts during the holiday season, bringing joy to young recipients across our community.

Today, we donate more than 1,200 toys annually to approximately 14 charitable organizations throughout the San Fernando Valley. These organizations distribute the toys to families they serve, helping make the holidays a little brighter.

Our year-long effort culminates in October, when we gather for a weekend Toy Build to assemble and finish the toys together. While we take great pride in the craftsmanship, it’s the smiles and stories from the children who receive them that bring us the greatest joy.

Charities

TOYS

annual builds

for the children

partner charities

Kids and families loved your gifts. Please thank your team on our behalf. We had a lot of smiles.

Jeff & Sally

Hope Fellowship

We feel exceptionally grateful that the SFV Woodworkers have made such a wonderful commitment to our program. It’s been many years that we’ve been the fortunate recipients of your talented crew, and we’re deeply appreciative.

Kitty Glass

Jewish Family Service LA

Thanks to all the Guild Members for the fantastic treasure boxes and mirrors! Our kids love these items and we were so excited to receive them this year!

Kristin Muhl

Foster Children's Resource Center

Jim Baldridge

President, 2024/2025

message from our president

toy build 2024

As an organization, I cannot be any prouder than having watched our members work in unison together over our toy build weekend. Success does not come from having good leadership but from the ability of its whole working together for a common good. This was very evident beginning on Saturday morning and ending on Sunday afternoon. The woodshop at the El Camino Real Charter High School was akin to Santa’s workshop. As members entered the shop and began jockeying for position on the shop floor you could feel the tension in the air, as the start hour approached. And then, without hesitation that beautiful noise of tools ramped up like an orchestra approaching its crescendo! I knew at that point all was good. The tension released from my soul and the well oiled machine ran purrfectly all weekend. Now, some may disagree with my analogy but it is also that hectic goings on in the background that makes it all run smoothly.

Our success is truly measured two ways: the 1100 toys we produced and the 1100 children who will benefit from them. Unfortunately, due to privacy issues we do not always get to see their smiles but as former children we all know the joy of receiving a gift!

A special thanks has to go out to Jim Kelly and all of the members of this year’s Toy Committee whose all year preparations made this build possible. Through Jim’s leadership and organizational skills he has once again navigated our ship on a successful voyage. Most importantly, we need to pay homage to those individuals and organizations that have helped us in the background. Swaner Hardwood and Anderson Plywood for their generous donations of material. Without these two organizations we would never be able to afford to build even half of the numbers we produced this year or any year prior.

We also need to recognize the continued efforts of the Valley Quiltmakers Guild and the San Fernando Valley Quilt Association for their generosity with the quilts they provide us every year. There were also the wrappers of Nancy, Nina, Lynn and Beverly who diligently married the dolls to cradle and quilt with ribbons, as well as of the block trucks that came their way! Also, I want to acknowledge all of the family and friends that came out and assisted with the build. Everyone had a great time!

Finally to our three doll makers Beverly, Mary Rose and Doreen who provided 129 hand made dolls that when added to our surplus from last year put us over the top. Every cradle made received a doll and a quilt.

Thank you all for your continued dedication and commitment to the children we help to enrich over the holidays.