For a decade, Vern Heinle has carved and shaped wood into durable, practical toys reminiscent of yesterday to distribute to underprivileged children of today through the Forgotten Children’s Fund, a nonprofit organization.
Heinle, Kent’s modern day Mister Geppetto, distributes more than 250 of his hand-crafted toys – trucks, tanks, race cars, helicopters and airplanes – to children 12 and under on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Shari’s restaurant, 12990 SE Kent-Kangley Road.
The holiday toymaking adventure keeps the retired carpenter tinkering in his spacious, well-equipped workshop that sits next to his East Hill home.
“I enjoy it, I really do,” said the 84-year-old Heinle. “It actually makes me feel good to provide something to people who otherwise would not have it.”
Donations are gratefully accepted to support the Forgotten Children’s Fund.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
