It is never too late to turn one’s life around, and Alton Thacker, a retired barber in Utah, did just that for children across the globe, as he created joy for them and turned into a toymaker. As an individual with big dreams and expectations, he established Tiny Tim’s Foundation for Kids, a nonprofit focusing on constructing wooden toy cars and gifting them to children. All of this started as a minor thought, but it slowly evolved into a large mission that changed the lives of countless children by supplying them with their first toys.
Alton’s journey began in 1996 when a small, homemade toy opened his eyes to the bliss children find in simple toys. He wanted to be a toymaker and make a difference, so he began to invest his time in the production of wooden toy cars. With the help of local businesses and some tools, Alton, along with a group of volunteers, set out on a mission to create robust and safe car toys that every child had the right to have.
While operating from the West Jordan workshop in Utah, the foundation expanded purely by word of mouth and support from the community. Volunteers, be theyretirees, students, or community organizations, assisted Tiny Tim’s Toy Factory in making and distributing over 1.7 million toy cars to children across the world. More than 110 countries report having received these toys. The toys have reached Children’s hospitals, orphanages, homeless children, and many more and helped provide smiles to children in the greatest of hardships.
The work he left behind can be built upon, and the foundation will go on to great heights. The message that we have to better the world around us resounds more potent as through a womb. Such stories make people more generous, as sharing a toy is one of the greatest joys.
