Dane Gallagher’s woodshop class became Santa’s workshop the past month or so in Dolores.
Sixty-six students took on an assignment to build a wooden toy each to be given as Christmas gifts for the students at the Teddy Bear Preschool just down the road.
“I gave them the challenge, and they responded really well,” Gallagher said. “It’s part of our community service project.”
Students from advanced furniture/cabinet building, and the construction class built the toys.
“There are a lot of cars, trucks, some helicopters, a stick-horse, games, birdhouses – I left it wide open,” Gallagher said. “They had to research how to build them, design them to scale, and then build them on a deadline.”
Students found the assignment challenging and rewarding.
Junior Devin Reed made a redwood puzzle and two cars.
“Making toys is pretty hard, there is a lot of planning and you can’t be off by much or it won’t look good,” he said. “Measuring out the puzzle and cutting it so it all fit together was fun.”
Senior Jalen Balderrama made a tractor, toy cars, and is working on a tank.
“It’s the small details that makes it fun,” he said. “They are really intricate to make. It’s really cool to give back to the little kids.”
He said a key thing to remember for first-time toy builders is to not get too fancy.
“Stick to the basics, and don’t get too complicated.”
Sophomore Brett Lewis had the innovative idea to build a bowling ball and pins set.
“It’s fully functional and sized for a little kid,” he said. “I’d never seen one hand-crafted before, so I thought I’d make one. It turned out pretty well.”
On Thursday, the gifts were given to preschoolers. Gallagher hopes the toy-making project will become a tradition.
“It’s a lesson to give back, and get in the spirit of the holidays,” he said.
Added Balderrama, “I can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
