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Sawdust Engineers Assist Santa
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Published: December 24, 2008
Wilma Schafer of Sun City Center said she is proud of the Santa sleigh and reindeer that graces the front lawn of the Sun City Center Community Association's main complex.
"I saw it when one of the reindeer was crippled," said Schafer, adding one of the legs had to be repaired. "I think the decorations are great and colorful. I love it."
Wilma's husband, Al Schafer, and Ray Leblanc, built the Santa sleigh and reindeer display for the holiday season. Both members of the Sawdust Engineers, the group works on minor and major projects. They also assist people who need ramps for their wheelchairs in their own homes.
Volunteers with the club go to homes, make measurements and build the ramps. Sometimes people give donations for the club.
Al Schafer, who builds the ramps, said people may stop by the shop or call for an appointment.
"I usually make them," he said. "It does not take very long once we get the information. One of us comes out and measures the height of the threshold and we go and build one."
Schafer said he likes helping people in the community while taking part in the woodworking hobby he has loved for more than 30 years.
He said the decorations committee asked the club members to work on the Christmas displays.
"Last year we made a sleigh with flamingos that went in front of CA office and this year we will have one in the atrium area," he said. "The club does an awful lot of other things other than decorations. A lot of it is for the benefit of the handicapped or for educational tools for young children."
A Vincent Barwood of Sun City Center, a member of the Sawdust Engineers, said he usually swims outside at the outdoor pool before stopping by to chat with his friends at the club.
"Next year we plan to build more reindeer," said Barwood, a monitor for the group. A former industrial arts teacher, Barwood has been into the woodworking hobby for 80 years.
The Sawdust Engineers Club Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information about the ramps, call Al Schafer at (813) 633-3936.
Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.
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