12.16.2023
Note to Bob B from Gary Graves:
All 700 of the toys were delivered on Thursday afternoon in Nebraska and there were a lot of tears of happiness. There was also some talk about the Angels out in Rapid City, South Dakota. That must be you?
Leslie was saying that there will be pictures and letters of thank you coming after this delivery. Keep your eyes open for them? Gary G
12.20.2023
Note to Gary Graves - From: Sr. Mary Alma, St. James Catholic School, Crete, NE
We had a fabulous day! You made the newsletter! We had our 6th graders act out the attached story (THE TOYMAKER) before the children received their toys.
What a wonderful gift. Please thank your good hearted toy makers!
Sister Mary Alma
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reprint of their newsletter:
Newsletter from St. James Catholic School
December 20, 2023
Dear Parents,
Early last November, a gentleman from Beatrice stopped by
the school and asked to talk with me. In
the hands of this bright-eyed man was a hand-carved toy car with wooden wheels. He told me that he knew of a group of people
who loved to make toys for children. They would make a toy for each child in our
school, though they wanted to remain anonymous.
Looking at the beautiful creation, I responded that every child in our
school would be happy to receive such a gift.
The boxes arrived on
the night of the Christmas program and, to our delight, were filled not only with
cars, but also with farm animals, jungle animals, dinosaurs, fish, tops, and
all sorts of clever wooden games. What a
marvel to think that each toy was made by hand.
Such gifts are too special to be given thoughtlessly. So, we found the story of The Toy Maker
and had our sixth graders act it out for the rest of the school. The story is enclosed in this packet, and I
hope you will take a moment to read it.
You might also ask your children what they remember about the story or, better
yet, have them act it out with you. The
Toy Maker teaches, through analogy, that God our Father works daily to
make good and beautiful gifts specifically designed for each of us. His gifts are often refused, but occasionally
someone says, “Thank you!” and becomes happy.
After hearing the story, the teachers chose a gift for each
child to receive. Look for pictures on
the school Facebook page to see how well they welcomed the presents.
We ended the time with Christmas carols, placing the baby Jesus in the manger, and saying, “Thank you” to God our Father for all His gifts, and most especially the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Savior, and King.
Thank you for sending your children to St. James School! Merry Christmas and may the Infant King bless you and your family!
Sister Mary Alma, C.K.
The Toy Maker
Narrator:
In a small village on the edge of a forest there lived a toy maker. The toy maker made toys all his life. He
could make almost anything out of wood.
He made toy cars and toy trucks and toy helicopters. He made toy animals and blocks and all kinds
of other things. One day some children asked their parents if they could gather
by his window and watch the toy maker.
The parents said, “Yes” and so they went up to the window and they
watched the toy maker make his toys.
They also looked around the room at all the different toys. When the toy maker noticed that they were
watching through the window, he went outside and gave his toys to each one of
the children.
Toy Maker: “Hello to you!”
First Boy: “Hello.”
Toy Maker: “I have been making
toys all my life. It’s what I love to do.
And this one is a very special toy and I made it just for you.”
First Boy: “But I wanted a truck
. . . and these wheels are much too small. I wanted something better than
this. I don’t like this toy at all.”
Narrator:
He left the car in the toy maker’s hand and the little boy walked away.
Toy Maker: “Hello to you.”
First Girl: “Hello.”
Toy Maker: “I have been making
toys all my life. It’s what I love to do.
And this one is a very special toy and I made it just for you.”
First Girl: “But I don’t want a duck. I’d much rather have a doll. The head is too big,
and it has wheels instead of feet. I don’t like this toy at all.
Narrator: She left the duck in the toy maker’s
hand and the little girl walked away.
Toy Maker: “Hello to you.”
Second Boy: “Hello.”
Toy Maker: I have been making
toys all my life. It’s what I love to do.
And this one is a very special toy and I made it just for you.
Second Boy: “But I wanted a
different train. The smokestack is much too tall. The wheels are too big, and the train is too
short. I don’t like this toy at all.”
Narrator: He left the train in the toy maker’s
hand and the little boy walked away.
Toy Maker: “Hello to you.”
Grateful Boy and Grateful
Girl: “Hello.”
Toy Maker: “I have been making
toys all my life. It’s what I love to do.
And this one is a very special toy and I made it just for you . . . and you.”
Narrator: The little girl and boy paused, and they
started to look around. They noticed
some trees that were cut down nearby.
Good Girl: “Did you cut down those
trees yourself?”
Toy Maker: “Why yes. That is where
I get the wood to make my toys.”
Good Girl: “Your arms must be
tired.”
Narrator: Then the little boy noticed some of
the toy makers tools.
Grateful Boy: “Do you make all
these toys with your own hands?”
Toy Maker: “Why yes! I make each toy by hand using these tools.”
Grateful Boy: “Your hands must
be really tired.”
Narrator: Then the little girl noticed some
food left out on the table.
Grateful Girl: “Was that
supposed to be your lunch?”
Toy Maker: “Why yes. I skipped my lunch. I wanted to hurry so I
could finish these toys for all of the children.”
Grateful Girl: “You must be very hungry. Why do you work so hard?”
Grateful Boy: “Why do you want to make all these toys?”
Toy Maker: “I have been making toys all my life. It’s what I love to do. And the toys I gave
you, well I made them just for you.”
Narrator: The little girl and boy looked at
the toy maker and they looked at the toys and they said,
Good Girl and Good Boy: “Thank you.”
Narrator:
Do you know that God our Father
is kind of like the Toy Maker? God our
Father loves us and He has worked very hard to give us lots of blessings. If you take the time to look around, you will
be able to see how much God our Father loves you and all the things He has done
just for you.
“Praise Ye the Lord. O give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever.”
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