The ToyMakers of East Lake
"Making Smiles One Toy at a Time"
Our Mission:
To provide brightly painted, simple wooden toys to children in physical or emotional distress.
What kind of organization is The ToyMakers?
The Toymakers, is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation located in Pinellas County, Florida.
From the simple beginnings of the original ToyMakers group that started in Pasco County, Florida, approximately 250,000 toys have been donated to agencies in the local communities in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Alachua counties including Ronald McDonald Houses, All Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospital in Tampa, Shands Pediatric Clinic, and many non-profit agencies. Additionally, toys have been shipped to the Midwest during floods, to Louisiana and Mississippi during the aftermath of hurricanes, to Mexico, Haiti, Cuba and the Caribbean with medical and health mission teams, and to Iraq and Afghanistan through military contacts. Any time there is a need, toys can be sent to children in need. Since 1982, over 100 inquiries have been made form around the world about setting up ToyMaker groups. There are three ToyMaker groups in the Pasco/Pinellas area. ToyMaker workshops vary in size and equipment, but all have the common thread of wanting to help bring smiles to children.
Locally, the ToyMakers of East Lake, an outreach mission of East Lake United Methodist Church, began operation in the third quarter of 2007 with 6 volunteers. Currently, the group includes over 40 members operating 4 days each week in the Annex building purchased by ELUMC in 2007. Recently, the toy ministry has expanded to include soft, hand-made dolls and stuffed bears which are included with each delivery. Additionally, bicycles are being rebuilt and recycled in the toy shop of this local chapter. Deliveries are made quarterly to agencies such as Children’s Therapy Center of East Lake, The Haven of RCS, Operation PAR, Fisher House at Bay Pines VA Hospital in Tampa, Cuscaden Child Care Center, Tampa, Pasco-Hernando Early Learning Coalition, Spring Hill, FL, Ronald McDonald House, Gainesville, Tarpon Woods Fire and Rescue Unit, Rosa Valdez Child Care Center, Tampa, and Kid’s Charity of Tampa Bay.
It is a privilege to be able to offer some form of comfort to these children and their families in stressful times.
Please help us continue bringing smiles to the sick and needy children in the Tampa Bay area!