Photo submitted to the Times Observer Photo is a toy made by the Toy Shoppe for Lowe’s.

While stories of Santa’s North Pole workshop remain the stuff of legend, a very real and magical toy-making operation has been thriving in Warren for the past 25 years.

The Toy Shoppe has handcrafted more than 30,000 toys for local children in need, driven by a mission of creativity, camaraderie, and generosity. Founded by four retirees with a shared vision, The Toy Shoppe was created to provide a place for fellow retirees to socialize, stay active, and use their skills for a meaningful cause. At the same time, local agencies had identified a need for developmentally appropriate toys for underprivileged children in Warren County. The result was a workshop filled with talented, dedicated volunteers who meet three times a week, transforming raw materials into treasured toys–all at no cost to their recipients.

“It starts from just raw materials and an imagination,” says Gary Olson, a volunteer coordinator at The Toy Shoppe. “Everybody that comes here is very talented, and they love being here. We have guys who are 87 years old, still making toys and enjoying every moment of it.”

With a growing need for materials and equipment, The Toy Shoppe reached out to Lowe’s store 2614, located just across the street, to see if they could help. Store Manager Charlie Bryant didn’t hesitate.

“Gary told me about The Toy Shoppe and how they build toys for kids in need, and the light bulb went off in my head,”Bryant recalls. “We immediately wanted to get involved, and every year, we try to make as big of an impact as possible.”

This year, Lowe’s stepped up in a big way, donating a brand-new Kobalt planer to replace The Toy Shoppe’s broken one, ensuring that toy production could continue smoothly.

“It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job — not just for me, but for our entire store, our brand, and our associates,” says Bryant. “When we contribute to something like this, it puts a smile on the community’s face, and that means everything.”

Beyond providing materials and tools, Lowe’s associates volunteer their time to help put the final touches on the toys. Each December, Bryant organizes a team of Lowe’s employees who dedicate over 120 volunteer hours to painting, assembling, and preparing toys for distribution.

“They’ve given us tools, materials, and all kinds of things to work with,” says Pat Williams, another volunteer coordinator with The Toy Shoppe. “But the best gift they give us is their time. Their volunteers come in for four-hour shifts over three weeks, and that makes all the difference.”

The collaboration between The Toy Shoppe and Lowe’s has been a perfect match, combining craftsmanship, community spirit, and corporate generosity.

“When I first started here, I talked to a few people at Lowe’s, and then I met Charlie, and it was like a breath of fresh air,” says Olson. “We give him a list, and before we know it, we have a new planer and all kinds of supplies. It’s wonderful, and he has so much fun doing it.”