Our Humble Beginning
From the simple beginnings of the original ToyMakers group that started in Pasco County, Florida in 1982, approximately 500,000 toys have been donated to agencies in the local communities in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Alachua counties as well as special donations to children in need in remote countries around the world.
What started as a small local workshop has blossomed into a community mission. Our artisans combine traditional woodworking skills with a deep commitment to kindness, ensuring that every handcrafted toy serves as a tactile reminder of hope. As we grow, our goal remains the same: crafting joy, one simple wooden toy at a time, for every child who needs a reason to smile.
The Hands Behind the Toys
ToyMakers of East Lake is an outreach mission of East Lake United Methodist Church (ELUMC). We began operation in the third quarter of 2007 with 6 volunteers utilizing a shop building owned by ELUMC. Currently, the group includes over 300 volunteers who donated over 18,000 hours of their time last year. Deliveries are made quarterly to many local agencies including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care of East Lake, The Haven of RCS, Operation PAR, Tampa General Hospital Children’s Medical Center, Pasco-Hernando Early Learning Coalition, Ronald McDonald House, East Lake Fire & Rescue, Empath Partners in Care, and A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. 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.
A Mother’s Thank‑You
Our 18‑month‑old son had emergency eye surgery after a farm accident. In the middle of all the fear and hospital chaos, a nurse handed him a wooden helicopter you made. His whole face lit up. That little toy brought joy to our family when we needed it most—and it’s still one of his favorites at home. Thank you for blessing us in such a hard moment.
Inspiring Stories of Joy
A Father’s Story from Tampa General
Our 2½‑year‑old son Nathan was rushed to Tampa General after a bad fall. He was in pain, crying, and barely responding. Then a nurse brought him a small handmade wooden ambulance. Almost instantly, Nathan changed—he started smiling, walking around, and saying hello to everyone, ambulance in hand. Your simple toy was a God‑send and helped him turn the corner that day.
A Green Tractor and a Brave 5‑Year‑Old
Our 5‑year‑old son went to Tampa General with a head injury and was unusually quiet and scared. When a nurse gave him a small green wooden tractor, his whole face lit up and he wouldn’t put it down. That one toy turned fear into comfort. What you are doing is a true blessing to families like ours—thank you.
Help Us Craft More Smiles
Every wooden toy we build carries hope into a child’s hardest moments. Your support helps us buy materials, keep the workshop running, and reach more kids in hospitals and crisis. Join us in turning simple pieces of wood into joy, comfort, and courage.