I met an interesting group of people last week.

They call themselves The Fountain Hills Woodworking Club.

Last week, they delivered a total of 271 wooden toys to needy kids who may otherwise not have received any toys for Christmas.

Bill Fraser originally contacted me. He was the first project chairman four years ago. Kim Colenso, who was president of the club at the time, talked to Fraser about starting a program similar to one he was familiar with in Albuquerque.

The toys are made in a number of home workshops by the club’s 11 members. In addition to Fraser and Colenso, other club members include Frank Bye, Ruthe Ingram, Dale Carriere, Jim Mansen, Chris Brant. Dale Humiston, Frank Trainer, Rick Potter and Stanley Beers. They meet the second Saturday of each month.

When finished, the toys are distributed to McDowell Mountain Elementary School, Extended Hands Food Bank, Lutheran Church Tumbleweed Group, Scottsdale Boys & Girls Club and the Unity of Phoenix Church.

When they began the project, they only made toys for boys. Later they added girl items.

Wood and other materials to make the toys are donated by Rockler Woodworking & Hardware, 4626 E. Thunderbird in Phoenix, the Fountain Hills Sherwin-Williams Paint Store, 13525 N. Fountain Hills Blvd., and Amazing Stairs, 2331 E. Melrose in Gilbert.

“They give us their leftover cuts of wood and we turn them into trucks, tractors, race cars and other items that bring smiles to lots of faces,” said Fraser.

Ingram, the only female in the club, is involved in another activity called “Project Freedom Pen Project.”

She turns out wooden pens for troops in Afghanistan. They were beautiful, and I’m sure there are plenty of troops smiling when they receive one of these personal creations.

Ingram and Mansen were the 2014 co-chairs of the toy project.

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We at the River of Time Museum had a good fund-raiser at the home of Phil and Carol Gaziano last Friday evening.

They recently remodeled their house and had it decorated for Christmas. Pier 1 Imports, in the Target shopping center, added items for the evening.

Phil and Carol volunteered their home for the open house at which light appetizers, beverages and chocolate candies by Chocofin were served.

The Gazianos built the home 14 years ago on a lot on Sierra Madre. Its back yard offers a panoramic view from Red Rock to Four Peaks.

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In closing this week, I want to remind you that this is the final week for the Holidays Cash in the Hills contest.

Tomorrow, Thursday, we will collect the final week’s coupons submitted by shoppers at the 35 participating businesses.

There will be two sets of drawings held after the coupons are all collected. The final five weekly winners will be drawn for $25 each. Then, those names will be put back in the box with other weekly winners and the names of three grand prize winners will be drawn. The grand prizes are $500, $300 and $200.

All prizes are awarded in Fountain Hills Times dollars to be spent in the participating businesses. Good luck to all who took time to fill out the coupons and shopped locally.