Toymaking 2023 is Complete 11.17.2023

Subject: Toy Distribution is Saturday Dec 2, 2023

This is to let you know that we have finished making toys for 2023.  We completed over 3,350 toys this year.  So, our next get-together will be on Toy Packing and Distribution Day Dec 2, 2023.  Please come at 8:30 am to set up or 9:45 to help pack and distribute.  Thank you for all your help and support this year!

    Bob and Kathie

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Cradles completed and paddle games completed:

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For more information, go to www.rapidcitywoodworkers.com.

RCWA 

Scroll Saw SIG (SS SIG) 11.16.2023

Attending:  Ken, Al, Jerry, Bob, Kathie, and Rick

The ScrollSaw Special Interest Group (SS SIG) was held today from 1 pm to 3 pm at Rick's shop in Black Hawk.

Agenda included Show and Tell as well as cutting pieces from the project for the spring WW Show.

We continued cutting characters from the 3D nativity set pattern today.  All characters are now cut except for two sheep.  Need to build a shelter/manger. When completed, the set will be part of our spring woodworking show as part of the silent auction.

Rick's SHOW AND TELL

Status of the Nativity Set cutting

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For more information, go to www.rapidcitywoodworkers.com.

RCWA 

Critter Bagging Day 11.15.2023

 

Wow, it was 70 degrees on Critter Bagging day in mid-November.

Last night a few more bags were prepared for critters. 

Today was critter bagging day at the Wood Shop.  All year we have been cutting, sanding and routering all those little pieces of pine.  Today we sorted about 1,000 pieces of nicely shaped wood, and put them neatly into cloth bags, at least ten per bag.

About 100 bags were filled today and put into inventory .

A few remaining toys were wheeled up and put into inventory..

We made necklaces this week and inserted them into Heart boxes and put them into inventory today.

Bob made another glue bottle holder (with green pegs) this week.

Summary of toys put into inventory today:

 Pick Lists

Bob is working up the pick lists for the upcoming Toy Packing/Distribution Day, coming up on Dec 2, 2023.  This is the day we pack up the toys requested by several organizations working with kids.  The tool used for the generation of the PICK LIST is an Excel spread sheet.  The same spread sheet is the tool used as the record of the toys traced and finished thru out the year.  The toy count list is used as the starting point for the Distribution Matrix which pairs up the organization with the full complement of 22 toy categories.   Once all toys are completed, the final tallies are refined, which are printed out as Pick Lists.   This is the tool used to direct the Toy Pickers on Toy Distribution Day.  This ties the toy to the organization.  This tool puts the order in place and reduces the chaos to a minimum.

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For more information, go to www.rapidcitywoodworkers.com.

RCWA 

Toy Workshop (TWS2023-23) 11.11.2023

 

To Do today

Sand Critters:  2 boxes (Rick finished during the week.)

Toys sprayed on Monday are ready for wheels.

Tasks to finish for 2023:

Apply a poly rub finish to large cradles (10).

Sort all critters and fill critter bags (100).

Build necklaces and put into heart boxes (34).

Put wheels on recovered ICU toys (5).

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For more information, go to www.rapidcitywoodworkers.com.

RCWA 

November 2023 General Meeting - Saturday morning 10 am 11.11.2023

Our November 2023 General Meeting will be held on Saturday Nov 11th, 2023 at the annex to 910 Wood Ave in Rapid City, SD from 10 am to 11 am. We will be discussing the Toy Program, Toy Distribution Day, and the Christmas Potluck. Then we will share any SHOW AND TELL items.

 Items to be discussed: 

1.       Introductions
2.    Treasurer’s Report
3.    Announcements

a.       General Info/Miscellaneous

b.       Shop Tours – Al Oines
c.       Special Interest Groups

      i.      SS SIG – Rick W
     ii.      WT SIG – next SIG is January

d.       Toy Program
     i.      Status/Statistics – see separate report
     ii.      Toy Request Report – see separate report
     iii.      Toy Distribution Planning – see separate document
e.       Next Meeting
     i.      Potluck at Nemo Community Center Dec 9 at 11:30 am
     ii.      Signup Sheet for Potluck
4.       New Business

5.       Show and Tell

RCWA Meeting Minutes

Date:   11 Nov 2023                Meeting Start:  10:00              Meeting Finish:  11:10

Attendees:  Jim Brown, Jim Brown, Maggie Brown, Bob Buchanan, Darwin Buus, Lauree Buus, Grant Coffin, Frank DiCesare, Jerry Hood, Patsy Hood, Stu Kellogg, Ken Maron, Al Oines, Ed Pike, Don Roberts, Harley Schmadeke, Nick Spano, Tony Verchio, Rick Weisbeck, Julian Wigen, John Wolf

Treasurer’s Report: 

RCWA paid $390 for Church and liability insurance.  Bob was reimbursed $145.40 for supplies.  We brought in $125 for dues, $40 from outside donations, and $25 from member donations.  $0.88 October interest earned on the workshop account and  $.02 interest earned on the savings account.  Current balances are: 

                        Checking         $5,556.48

                        Workshop        $1,036.72

                        Savings            $   331.81 

                       Total                $6,925.01

Shop Tours  

Al is working with Toni Gerlach for a shop tour of Mind Blown Studios for maybe the 3^rd Wednesday of January. 

 Special Interest Groups

Next Scroll Saw SIG is November 16 at Rick Weisbeck from 1:00-3:00.  Will be working on compound cuts for nativity scene.  6704 Kimberly Drive, Blackhawk. 

 

No turning SIG Oct. 25 1:00-3:00 at Brown’s until January. 

 Toy program

            We have 3,081 toys completed and finished.  We will finish about 180 toys November 11 that need wheels.  Critters will be packaged this week.  At present, we have requests for 2,947 toys which may rise to just over 3,000 by packing day December 2.  Bob maintains the complete breakdown for all toy requests and will have the pick lists ready by December 2.  Some of the requests follow. 

•  Hope Center is closing and did not request any toys this year.
• Youth and Family Services requested 540 this year; down some from last year.
• Habitat for Humanity requested 5 toys. 
• Corner Stone Mission made a request for 50 toys.
• Foster Parents requested 35 toys, which is about the same as last year.
• Enlisted Airman’s Association asked for 50 toys, which is down from 100.
• Chaplain’s Association wants all Love Bugs this year. 
• Boys Club has a toy request. 
• Beatrice Public Schools requested 700 up from 500
• Cheyenne requested 500 up from last year’s 400. 
• Kinship Mountain Ministries requested the same as last year. 
• National Guard requested 100 toys, up from 77.
• SD Veterans requested 50 toys which is the same as last year. 
• Monument Pediatrics requested 50 toys. 

Distribution Day

Distribution day, Saturday, December 2, 2023;  set up will start at 8:30 and packing by 9:30. Bob coordinated with members for some specific deliveries, a partial list follows. 

Gary will pick up for Sioux Falls Dec. 2. 

Jerry will take care of toys to be delivered to Pennsylvania.

Jerry will deliver toys to Monument Pediatrics.

Tony will deliver the toys slated for the National Guard. 

Bob will deliver toys to Youth and Family Services.

Distribution Process

           Tally how many boxes to each organization.
           Boxes of toys numbered 1 through 22.
           Teams of 2 people as pickers.  You will be given a cart and a pick list to fill boxes.
           A few toys allow you to pick a few each to get the total in the request.

Once box(s) are filled, take them to packers who then put the labels on each box and provide a tally count for the total number of boxes for that organization. 

            We will start with certain organizations first that have specific toy requests. 
          Bob will print tag for tables and will bring the printed pick lists. 

Boxes are always needed so please feel free to bring extra boxes when they are available.

Wood Show

The Wood Show is tentatively set for the third week in April.  Theme will be "Christmas in April."  

MISC

Christmas Potluck is set for Dec. 9 at 11:30 at Nemo Community Center.  Requesting center pieces for tables.  A 4 ft tree will be up to hang wooden ornaments.  Coffee and water will be available, but members may bring something to drink if desired. 

Toy Workshops, Jan. 13 and Jan. 27.

Show and Tell

Al Oines brought 3 pieces for show and tell.  A charcuterie board made with diamond geometric shapes of 3 different woods to provide a 3D cube illusion.  The second was a set of gnomes which included turned pieces with added decorations.  The third piece was a turned bowl of box elder burl.  Rick brought a dragonfly.

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For more information, go to www.rapidcitywoodworkers.com.

RCWA