We live in an incredible time. Today’s world is one of previously unfathomable accomplishments and where complex technologies allow for the exploration of amazing new heights. Literally. Just recently, not just one, but TWO of the world’s billionaires developed advanced systems to take them and their crews into space, opening new possibilities for that vast frontier.
While the billionaires were exploring the edges of space, I had a very different, yet powerful experience. On the opposite side of the spectrum of complex technology is a simple toy – a curved block of wood, accented by plastic wheels and a painted-on smiley face. With our staff and students, I got to volunteer at the Tiny Tim’s Toy Foundation for Kids, and witness the joy of spreading smiles, one wooden car at a time. And in many ways, their operation and the number of children whose lives have been touched, are just as impressive.
While the billionaires were exploring the edges of space, I had a very different, yet powerful experience. On the opposite side of the spectrum of complex technology is a simple toy – a curved block of wood, accented by plastic wheels and a painted-on smiley face. With our staff and students, I got to volunteer at the Tiny Tim’s Toy Foundation for Kids, and witness the joy of spreading smiles, one wooden car at a time. And in many ways, their operation and the number of children whose lives have been touched, are just as impressive.
While the billionaires were exploring the edges of space, I had a very different, yet powerful experience. On the opposite side of the spectrum of complex technology is a simple toy – a curved block of wood, accented by plastic wheels and a painted-on smiley face. With our staff and students, I got to volunteer at the Tiny Tim’s Toy Foundation for Kids, and witness the joy of spreading smiles, one wooden car at a time. And in many ways, their operation and the number of children whose lives have been touched, are just as impressive.
“Alton Thacker founded Tiny Tim’s Toy Foundation for Kids in 1996 built around the dream of bringing a smile to as many children’s faces as possible. ‘When children play with toys, it sparks their imagination. They learn to think for themselves and they begin to explore the possibilities around them.’ That is why Tiny Tim’s Toy Foundation for Kids builds and delivers 36,000 toys every year to needy children around the globe. These toys have been delivered to many countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Ghana, Thailand, Korea, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and needy children inside the United States. They are also sent to hospitals where patients can play with and keep them including Primary Children’s and Shriner’s hospitals in Utah.”
I love that. The recognition that a simple toy in the hands of a child not only can bring a moment of happiness, but spark the imagination and begin to tap into their creativity. And the smiles keep spreading! In 2015, Tiny Tim’s was producing 36,000 toys each year. In 2019, they produced an astounding 124,000 toys! The impact of the pandemic dropped their production to 60,000 cars in 2020, but they are on-pace to climb to over 100,000 toys this year.
That’s 100,000 desperately needed smiles.
The staff and students at STRīV are honored to play a small role in spreading the joy, as we’ve volunteered at Tiny Tim’s for several weeks now. And we plan to continue!
If you’d like to learn more about Alton Thacker and his drive to provide a smile to every child on the planet, check out their website: http://www.TinyTimsToys.org
You’ll learn more about their mission, about Timmy (the young soul behind the name of the foundation), about other projects, and how you can contribute to the cause is you feel so inclined.
Thank you, Alton, and the Tiny Tim’s team for providing a wonderful opportunity for us at STRīV, and for pioneering the way for spreading smiles the world over!
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