We were founded on volunteering and we do it in big ways through our Design in Wood, our Toy Programs and in running our Member Shop. These are efforts of great consequence which we should be proud of. That said, there is so much more need in the community where we could be helpful. It’s starting to happen, green shoots of new service programs are poking through.
At-home Desks for Elementary Kids
O’Farrell Elementary School has many at-home students with no dedicated space to do school work. While the need is great (185 students), we know we can at least begin to help by designing and building a few desks specifically tailored to meet their needs.
For over a year, Tim Peachey has been leading the Design SIG which took on the challenge of coming up with the right desk for this situation. Families need these kid-sized desks to be compact to transport and store. Then at home they should be easily stowable when not in use. The team also paid a lot of attention to stability and safety. Julia Cornuelle led the iterative design effort across many versions to arrive at the pictured version.
Kurt Krummel is leading this effort; reach out to him for insight or to get involved.
Little Free Libraries for Schools
The Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership (DEEP) approached us about the need to get books into circulation while libraries and schools are closed. They had some success with providing Little Free Libraries (LFLs) but saw so much more potential. While they could handle getting approvals and stocking LFLs with books, they needed help with bringing more of these wooden structures to life … our speciality!
Building things as a group has been what Jim Strawn has been doing at the Shop for over a year. The simplest way to grow a general group-build capability would be to leverage the success of Jim’s program. Done right, any SDFWA Shop member could join a group-build team, meet with others, and crank out community service projects. Our first of these will take place on April 6 where we’ll build two LFL’s based on Jim’s prototype. Material costs will be covered with donations which you’re welcome to contribute to. With enough interest, we could even expand the program and allow member to come and build LFLs for themselves (for a fee).
For additional info or to get involved, write me at president@sdfwa.org.
North Coast Church Collaboration
Some organizations get solicitations for help far in excess of their ability to deliver, regardless of funding. Such is the case with North Coast Church. Some organization have the talent and facility to build things but aren’t organized or funded to do it. Such is the case with SDFWA.
Jeff Romek is testing the idea of a collaborative relationship with North Coast Church. Our test case is a desperately needed wheelchair ramp for a mobile home in San Marcos. The church would be willing to fund the materials if we would agree to build it. Ideally we’d have a ready pool of willing talent, we’d propose an idea, and if anyone was interested then we’d move ahead with North Coast’s funding.
We’re at the early stages but we’re hopeful. Contact Jeff Romek to get involved.
Conclusions
SDFWA is made up of woodworkers with generous spirits. Personally it’s made me proud to be a member. It’s gratifying to attend Design in Wood, or to read the letters from toy recipients, or to watch the Shop operate so smoothly and safely with volunteer efforts. Members want to give of themselves and I, for one, think that’s wonderful.
Can we turn this willingness to help into an agile, targetted, project-building program? Time will tell. We have the ingredients and we have the heart, So far I’m encouraged as I see tiny green shoots of results breaking through.