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16991 Old U.S. 27 Suite A - Lansing, Michigan ... Mailing Address: PO Box 23181, Lansing, MI 48909-3181 |
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Our Motto: "People don't stop doing things because they get older; They get older because they stop doing things." |
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 Memory boxes for Bhutanese Project at St. Paul's Church, Lansing  A Child adds some finishing touches to a Memory Box at Ele's Place in Ann Arbor  Memory Boxes Decorated by Children at Gilda's Club  Clayton Vandecar celebrates his 99th birthday with the help of other Scheffel elves. Chronically Ill Child Enjoys Wood Toys "I wanted to write a little letter to say thank you for all that you do," a mother recently wrote to us. "My 6 year old son is chronically ill and has been at xx hospital 20 times in his short little life so far. He really enjoys painting his wood treasures every time that he is here. It is a great distraction to him. When he is admitted he is usually in isolation so he can’t go to the playroom to play. He proudly displays his creations at home in his own playroom. Thank you again. P.S. The LPD police car is so cute." The Elves at Scheffel Toys are happy to hear that he is enjoying our toys. "Wow, your memory boxes are popular! We've used every one of them which you made for us last year. Thanks so much!" A note from Sarah at Ele's Place |
Visit us on Facebook  From the 2024 MSU Retirees Newsletter ________________________________________________________________ Scheffel Volunteers Work Hard to Wrap Up 2023  Darryl & Fred sanding the last of the step stools  Painting and assembly of cars  Painting 100s of step stools  Chris cutting wood as Paul sands stools between coats  Painting the last of the step stools  Step stools drying  Not all toys need paint - Fish pull toys ready  The stack of step stools and some penny hockey games ready to go to Salvation Army. We wish you all a Merry Christmas!!! ________________________________________________________________ Toy Project Open House September 21, 2023 We had a very successful Open House this year with about 45 people in attendance. WILX TV10 came out, thanks to a request by Major Nate Johnson of the Salvation Army and shot some video of the event. Below is a link to the video they played on TV.   We had a few of the toys on display on the assembly tables.  25 bird houses were made to be given away to anyone that wanted one.  There were also a number of 'Door Prizes' to be given away at the end of the program.  Those attending were treated to a light lunch of wraps, chips & cookies with water or pop.  After lunch President Gene Klco introduced our guest speaker, Lisa Delgado from CACS - Capital Area Community Services Head Start.  Lisa Delgado talked about CACS Head Start.  Lisa told us how they use the toys at Head Start to help the young children learn.  We had a good crowd of about 45 in attendance.  After the crowd left, Major Nate Johnson of Lansing's Salvation Army was interviewed by TV10.  Toys President Gene Klco was also interviewed for the later broadcast at 6 pm. See the whole broadcast by selecting the red button link above. Overall, it was a successful Open House! ________________________________________________________________ Toy Shop Volunteers at Lugnuts Game August 9, 2023 Thanks to Jim Dell and RSVP we got tickets to a Suite at the Lansing Lugnuts vs. Fort Wayne Tincaps game.  Our suite was right behind the home plate.  Free food in the suite  With outdoor seating too  Watching the game  We had a visit from Big Lug.  Those who wanted, got a photo with Big Lug.  Chris & Margaret Costigan were first  Rich Martin, Chris, BL and Chris Baker  Theresa Ebbinghaus & Big Lug  Lastly Gene & Gina Klco got there photo with the big guy. The Lugnuts lost to the Fort Wayne Tincaps 9-4, but it didn't take away the enjoyment of the afternoon! Thanks again to Jim Dell & RSVP!!! ________________________________________________________________ 2022 Scheffel Toys Open House September 22, 2022  After a brief summary of the R.J. Scheffel Memrial Toy Project by President Gene Klco, we had a light lunch of wraps, chips, vegies and drinks.  The lunch line  Gene Klco presented a check for $500 to Treasurer Peggy McNichols from the Williamston Sunrise Rotary that he belongs to.  Everyone was then seated - ready for our guest speakers.  Toy shop volunteer, Tony Bauer, introduced the speakers. He was instrumental in setting up the contact with them.  From MSU Lingo Lab: Courtney Venker, Jenny Johnson and Zack Hesse. Courtney & Jenny talked about how they found that simple toys did a better job of helping young children to learn then electronic toys did. Simple toys encouraged their imagination and increased parental interaction. Select this button to see a video of the presentation. And this button for the Q&A portion. Below is a copy of the handouts they passed out.   Other Resources: Tips for Choosing Toys for Toddlers - ZERO TO THREE Identify The Signs of Communication Disorders ________________________________________  Wrapping Up 2021 The Scheffel eves are busy wrapping the last toys produced for 2021.  Chris Costigan (left) delivered boxes of toys to Detroit Children's Hospital on November 29, 2021. Back at the Toy Shop, the final toys were being finshed.  A horse stampede was seen as the toys got wild!  Larry assembled wheels on the painted fish.  Jim & Theresa were busy finishing paint detail.  Tony was busy assembing ironing boards.  While Gene was making the last of the Fish Pull Toys.  Deb sanded the irons while Pat added the final coat.  While in the sanding room, Darryl & Fred sanded more toys. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! 2021 Scheffel
Toys Open House
September 23, 2021 Having cancelled the 2020 Open House due to the pandemic, it was good to be able to have one in 2021, even if masks were required to attend. 42 people came out to celebrate the Scheffel Toy Project's efforts.  Some of the toys made were on display and volunteers talked to guests about them.  Majors Jim & Pat from the Salvation Army pick some of the food provided - a light lunch.  For the first half hour, we enjoyed the light lunch of wraps, cookies and chips provided by Lansing Catering. At 12:00, the program started with the Delta Township Kiwanis and the South Lansing Kiwanis Clubs presenting Scheffel Toys a $500 check each.  After President Gene Klco talked about the last year and a half, the main presentation was began. Gene had video taped many of the volunteers asking them why they come and help out and what is it that keeps them coming back.  The guests watched the presentation and heard the many reasons why the volunteers enjoy helping out at Scheffel Toys. Select this icon to see the video of the volunteers. He also showed a video of Chris Costigan talking about how we process wood that is donated to us. Select this icon to see the video on wood processing. Thanks to all who came and those who donated to make this aa big success! January 2021: As the volunteers come back to the Toy Shop in January, they will see new shelves and tables that volunteer Chris Costigan made. Thanks Chris!     The toys are gone! Even with a 3 month Covid-19 shutdown, Santa's elves (the Scheffel volunteers) took on the task, working on them at home, doing whatever they could to get the job done, while staying safe.   Have a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year! We will be back to work on January 18, 2021. December 2020: The last of the toys are ready to be picked up.     November 2020: Jeannie Walser delivers toy blankets to Salvation Army for doll beds. Received by Major Jim Irvine.  June 2020: After a 3 month hiatus due to the Covid 19 pandemic, we are back working - with Masks and Social Distancing!         Look at all the painted fish done at home when we couldn't work at the Toy Shop.  Some more fish painted and ready for wheels.  After a year's work was done, some of the toy shop volunteers and their spouses gathered at Harrison Roadhouse, in East Lansing for dinner on December 11th. While we try to meet for dinner once a month at varying restaurants, this one culminated the end of another successful year. 8,864 toys were produced in 2019 and 83,920 for the past 9 years for an average of 9,324 annually! August 15, 2019  People started gathering at 11:30.  Toy shop volunteer Roy Ketcheson shows off some of the toys we make.  A light lunch was provided - ham or turkey wraps, chips & cookies as well as water/soft drinks.  Kay Goluska, President Elect of the Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club, presented Larry Koster and the Scheffel Toys with a $1000 check. Gene Klco (Rt) is the Secretary at Williamston Sunrise Rotary.  Roy is explaining how a doll bed is constructed.  The Scheffel family that were present were introduced. (L-R) Grandson Jack Schoettle, Marybeth Scheffel, Marilyn Scheffel & Steve Scheffel.  The main presentation was a series of videos showing how we make some of the toys by Gene Klco.  Gene is explaining about the bleach bottle fenders on the dune buggy.  There were about 45 people in attendance at the Open House.   Gene showed other toys making videos - including the fish pull toy, airplanes and penny hockey game.  After the presentations a drawing was made for those who entered the 50/50 raffle. Winning the top prize was Jack Schoettle - a detailed steam boat that someone gave to us. The 50/50 winner donated the money back to Scheffel Toys.  After it was all over the Scheffle family gathered for a photo. (L-R) Marybeth Scheffel, Jack Schoettle, Steve & Mariland Scheffel and Susan Roosenraad. Scheffel Toys was recently featured in the Lansing State Journal & on WLNS TV6 June 20, 2019  Click here for link to the article in the Lansing State Journal
 6/1/19 This is the first year that we tried to be part of 'Be A Tourist in Your Town'. We were happy with the turnout, esp. since we were off the beaten path. We had about 70-75 people attend! The setup:  We also had some Penny Hockey games to try (a goal got the winner a game to take home).  We had displays of the toys we build on tables to see. Tours of the facility were also given.    The children were enjoying building themselves a car.  And trying their luck at Penny Hockey.  Even the girls had a good time.  Overall a great success! We were pleased and the kids went away happy!
The Scheffel Toy Project’s 2018 Year End Report Total Production 2018 = 9,313 • The Salvation Army, Lansing and
Holt, received 41% of the 8-year figure. (31,128) The R. J. Scheffel elves worked more than 6,100 hours in 11 months, from January through November 28, 2018. There are no administrative expenses. All board members and volunteers donate their expertise and time to the Toy Project. Larry Koster Holiday Greetings! It is time to celebrate another
successful year of toy making at the R.J. Scheffel All Toy Project volunteers, Board
Members, and friends are invited to meet at the The Road House in the 1960's was known
as Duke's Shell Station. Check out their It would be nice to see some of the
'retired' Scheffel volunteers: the Honharts, Arrival time as usual is 5:30 pm. Any questions? Larry Koster WORK COMPLETED FOR 2018 Greetings Santa's Elves! The balance of toys for 2018 were
assembled this morning (11/28/2018) and some We appreciate everyone's assistance
for the past two days. We were able to take The Salvation Army will pickup their
toys on Friday, 11/30. Mary Free Bed Hospital Toy Making will resume on Monday, January 7th. Any questions? Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas Larry Koster, General Operations Manager
in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties. 16991 Old US-27, Suite A Corner of Sheridan Rd, Lansing, MI 501(c)3 organization, has been in operation for more than 30 years, and has produced more than 50,000 toys for area children in the last five years alone! Hours of Operation: Santa’s Workers Make Toys for Disadvantaged Kids  SANTA’S ELVES, from left to right: Tom Hazlett, Fred Honhart, Larry Koster, Patrick Scheetz, Darryl Warncke, and Tony Bauer. All are retirees of Michigan State University, except for Larry, who is an MSU alum. Featured in the MSU Retires Association Newsletter - Jan. 2016.
Toy Project Operational In Facility at 16991 Old U.S. 27 Suite A - Lansing, Michigan The R. J. Scheffel Memorial Toy Project facility is operational and is producing at full capacity. Everything is pretty much in place so woodcutting equipment is humming, painting supplies are ready for use, and work benches are located for building new toys requested for needy children. Guests are welcome for a tour and to see our volunteers (Elves) in action! Click on "Agencies" to see list of organizations with "wish lists" which have been filled. |
 R. J. Scheffel Toy Project Workshop 16991 Old US-27, Suite A Corner of Sheridan Rd, Lansing, MI  (Near to the 'Mexico 2 Go" sign) |
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