EVERY year at Christmas time, the Hamilton Men’s Shed teams up with the Hamilton Uniting Church to coordinate the giving of wonderfully hand-made wooden toys, produced by Hamilton Men’s Shed members, to be delivered to local families in need.

James McCallum of the Men’s Shed, said that aside from the normal commissioned woodwork the members do, some of the men use their spare time to knock together some beautiful toys for Christmas presents.

 “Ian Phillips was responsible for the building block trollies, Stephen McLean made the rocking horses and Craig Small made a selection of smaller toys, a boat, digger, an aeroplane and a tractor,” he said.

Hamilton Uniting Church pastoral community worker, Peter Roberts was delighted to be at the Men’s Shed last week to collect the selection of toys for distribution.

“These are good quality toys that we deliver to families in need in the area at Christmas time and they are certainly gratefully received,” he said.

“We know that some families particularly struggle financially at this time of year, so we try to help make it as special for them as possible and the Men’s Shed are always ready to jump on board to help in various ways. As the saying goes, the gift is in giving.”

The Uniting Church not only coordinates food distribution throughout the year through its Second Bite program but also assists with other goods or needs families or individuals may require.

Mr McCallum took the opportunity to make a pitch to recruit new members at the Men’s Shed facility on Port Fairy Road, Hamilton, who meet all day on Wednesdays and from 9am-12pm Thursdays.

“You don’t have to be a craftsman to be a member, there’s a couple of experienced wood workers on hand to show new members the ropes and there’s plenty of opportunity to learn as you go,” he said.

“It’s more the social experience that is the draw card, so if you’re retired with spare time and looking to be creative, please come along, you’re never too old to learn.”