Craftsmen for Kids consists of nine old geezers whose woodworking passion has become a lifeline for Head Start teachers and others serving at risk children.  “Some of these children come to us having never used a fork or spoon, just eating with their hands,” said a Head Start classroom volunteer from Ohio’s Appalachian area.  “We have to teach ‘em how to use utensils.  The meal and snack we feed them are often the only food they get that day.” Now our passion has outgrown our personal budgets.  When we started out in 2016, we covered all expenses out of our own pockets,  but we are on fixed incomes and cannot continue to fulfill the genuine needs brought to our attention.   We learned that while government funding pays for the rent, modest salaries, and the children’s food for Head Start and similar programs,  there isn’t much left over for the learning tools the centers need if they are to have any chance at getting these 3-5 year-olds ready for school and life outside the home.  Some programs also serve children ages 1-3. Craftsmen for Kids creates high quality, hardwood learning tools for Head Start classrooms, battered women’s shelters, the nursery at the Ohio women's prison, a camp for seriously children, and similar facilities serving at risk children.   As word spreads, requests for our creations has grown dramatically and now we try to keep up with needs in 253 Head Start classrooms in 26 Ohio Appalachian counties.  Others are on a waiting list. Every cent we raise through GoFundMe will go to the purchase of lumber, paint, glue, consumable shop items, etc. to make more learning tools and related items for area programs serving the needs of these children.  We will continue to cover other expenses out of our own pocket.   We are a 501-c3 public charity registered with the IRS, so donations may be tax deductible.  To date, we have made and donated over 8000 quality hardwood learning tools which, if purchased from the customary school supply catalogues, would have cost these programs over $400,000.  In addition to the learning potential of our educational, Head Start programs use the retail value of our educational toys as in-kind donations enabling them to apply matching grants—sometimes at a ratio of 2 or 3 to 1.  Thus, a $1,000 donation from us could get the program a $3000 grant.   See our most recent update for the latest information on our efforts and to see the results of your generosity.

Karen Ricker

Anonymous

don worsham

Robert Martin

Jennifer Walker

Megan Longstreth

David Brubaker

James Reye

Robert K Betts

Debbie Mazgaj

Dana Bower

Tina Hendricks-Mitchell

Carlianne Sanders

Glen Bulmer

Craftsmen for Kids

Craftsmen for Kids

Still $5,500 to go. Help us build momentum.