Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
|
| Luther Vann of Clemmons displays a toy ship he made to benefit Habitat for Humanity. |
Most of the seniors have formerly helped to physically build Habitat homes, but no longer feel safe pursuing this work. In 2004 two men, Gene Biringer and Jim Nottke, found themselves in this category. The two men wanted to remain involved in Habitat, and organized a toy-making fund-raising project.
The toy-makers joined their efforts with Youth United of Habitat Forsyth.Youth United, ages 5 to 25, work to raise $55,000 to build a Habitat house. To date the older youth from, from16 to 25 years old, have built four houses, and plan to build a fifth house this year.
Luther Vann of Clemmons, a retired military man; JROTC instructor and a retired construction inspector from the NC Department of Transportation, got involved. He liked woodworking as a hobby, and had formerly helped construct Habitat houses.
Vann and Larry Youngren, who lives on Peace Haven Road, are the newly-elected co-presidents of the Toy Makers.
This year seven high schools in Forsyth County, including West Forsyth and Forsyth Country Day, along with students from Wake Forest University, are in the process of raising $55,000 to build their fifth Habitat house.
“Our toy makers meet each Tuesday morning at the Habitat warehouse on Witt Street in Winston-Salem,” said Van.
“We work with donated wood and supplies to build beautiful..." Subscribe to the Courier, P.O. Box 765, Clemmons, NC 27012.