| A Tradition Begins: The History of the Toy Shop |
Doc’s patients also provided or donated much of our machinery. As of this writing, we do not have a
machine in our shop that is newer than the late 1960’s. A lot of our machinery was purchased with the help
of Charles ‘Mac’ McKee. Mac was a machinery salesman in Dallas for over forty years. He would
negotiate with his company for the wholesale, or better price for a piece of equipment that the shop needed.
Then sell it to the shop, charging no commission on the sale. Doc would then try to find someone to help
pay for it. Speaking of Mac, we lost him in 1999. He was the most faithful ‘Toy Maker’ ever, next to Doc
himself. Mac worked for more than 35 years at the Toy Shop. Mac could repair anything, and make a
machine do anything you’d need. Boy he could make those machines sing! Mac was always busy keeping
the equipment properly serviced. He also designed the Baby Carriage that we make today. If you asked
him how he got into the Hobby Crafters, Mac would say ‘I came to the shop one night along with some of
my fellow workers, just for a single evening of volunteer work. Then I could just never stop coming back’.
Mac was at the shop early every Thursday night, up until the last 4-6 weeks of his life. He had become so
ill that he could not leave his home. At that point, we had to go by his home every Friday evening to give
him a report of how things were going at the shop. Prior to his illness, Mac never missed coming to the Toy
Shop more than once a year.
Getting back to the man who started it all, Dr. McNeill….About 1989 Doc’s health was failing
rapidly. He had several heart attacks, a second stroke, and was almost bed ridden. He held a meeting of
the Toy Shop workers and said, ‘I need to go into a Nursing Home so that I will not be a burden on my wife.
We need someone who will take the responsibility of opening the shop every Thursday evening, and closing
it every Thursday night. This person will also have to take care of getting supplies and making sure
everything is working toward our Christmas goal. Otherwise the shop must close down.’ There were ten of
us present, and everyone offered to help whoever would accept the job, but no one would accept the
position. So I took it.
machine in our shop that is newer than the late 1960’s. A lot of our machinery was purchased with the help
of Charles ‘Mac’ McKee. Mac was a machinery salesman in Dallas for over forty years. He would
negotiate with his company for the wholesale, or better price for a piece of equipment that the shop needed.
Then sell it to the shop, charging no commission on the sale. Doc would then try to find someone to help
pay for it. Speaking of Mac, we lost him in 1999. He was the most faithful ‘Toy Maker’ ever, next to Doc
himself. Mac worked for more than 35 years at the Toy Shop. Mac could repair anything, and make a
machine do anything you’d need. Boy he could make those machines sing! Mac was always busy keeping
the equipment properly serviced. He also designed the Baby Carriage that we make today. If you asked
him how he got into the Hobby Crafters, Mac would say ‘I came to the shop one night along with some of
my fellow workers, just for a single evening of volunteer work. Then I could just never stop coming back’.
Mac was at the shop early every Thursday night, up until the last 4-6 weeks of his life. He had become so
ill that he could not leave his home. At that point, we had to go by his home every Friday evening to give
him a report of how things were going at the shop. Prior to his illness, Mac never missed coming to the Toy
Shop more than once a year.
Getting back to the man who started it all, Dr. McNeill….About 1989 Doc’s health was failing
rapidly. He had several heart attacks, a second stroke, and was almost bed ridden. He held a meeting of
the Toy Shop workers and said, ‘I need to go into a Nursing Home so that I will not be a burden on my wife.
We need someone who will take the responsibility of opening the shop every Thursday evening, and closing
it every Thursday night. This person will also have to take care of getting supplies and making sure
everything is working toward our Christmas goal. Otherwise the shop must close down.’ There were ten of
us present, and everyone offered to help whoever would accept the job, but no one would accept the
position. So I took it.
This story is about Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, who started a group called 'Hobby Crafters' -- The
Hobby Crafters Foundation Toy Shop produces hand made wooden toys at no charge for needy children.
These toys are distributed by Dallas area churches and missions at Christmas time.
Hobby Crafters Foundation Toy Shop produces hand made wooden toys at no charge for needy children.
These toys are distributed by Dallas area churches and missions at Christmas time.
Hobby Crafters had it’s beginning about December of
1944. It was started by Dr. Arch Mc Neill, at the time he was a
young Dallas physician. He was making a medical house call,
(back when they did this type of thing). The lady he was called to
care for was named Mrs. Birchfield. She was a kindly lady that
had no children of her own. But what she did have was a heart of
gold, especially when it came to poor children. Mrs. Birchfield
worked in the old Medical Arts Bldg., in downtown Dallas. She
operated a pushcart in the building. She sold cigars, cigarettes,
candy, gum, shoelaces, etc. Dr. McNeill was one of her regular
customers. Mrs. Birchfiled lived in the Trinity River Bottoms
between Dallas and Irving, Texas. This was long before the
Trinity Industrial District, Stemmons Freeway, Irving Blvd., or
anything like that was ever dreamed of. She lived on one of the
roads that led to Cement City and Old West Dallas. At that
time, these areas were the poorest sections of Dallas.
1944. It was started by Dr. Arch Mc Neill, at the time he was a
young Dallas physician. He was making a medical house call,
(back when they did this type of thing). The lady he was called to
care for was named Mrs. Birchfield. She was a kindly lady that
had no children of her own. But what she did have was a heart of
gold, especially when it came to poor children. Mrs. Birchfield
worked in the old Medical Arts Bldg., in downtown Dallas. She
operated a pushcart in the building. She sold cigars, cigarettes,
candy, gum, shoelaces, etc. Dr. McNeill was one of her regular
customers. Mrs. Birchfiled lived in the Trinity River Bottoms
between Dallas and Irving, Texas. This was long before the
Trinity Industrial District, Stemmons Freeway, Irving Blvd., or
anything like that was ever dreamed of. She lived on one of the
roads that led to Cement City and Old West Dallas. At that
time, these areas were the poorest sections of Dallas.
In the winter, Mrs. Birchfield always had a pot of beans on the stove for those traveling or in need.
She also started a tradition of having a Christmas tree in her home, under which she would have small gifts,
sweets, and other such goodies for the children of the area. While Dr. McNeill was attending to her, she told
him about her Christmas tree effort, and how she wished the she could supply more for the poor children that
came to her door. Dr. McNeill was very moved by her story, and he made a cash donation. He also offered to
make a few toys in his home workshop, to be given to the children the following Christmas. That next year he
made almost one hundred toys….and so the Hobby Crafters began.
She also started a tradition of having a Christmas tree in her home, under which she would have small gifts,
sweets, and other such goodies for the children of the area. While Dr. McNeill was attending to her, she told
him about her Christmas tree effort, and how she wished the she could supply more for the poor children that
came to her door. Dr. McNeill was very moved by her story, and he made a cash donation. He also offered to
make a few toys in his home workshop, to be given to the children the following Christmas. That next year he
made almost one hundred toys….and so the Hobby Crafters began.
Doc then began to enlist the help of
friends and associates, and the number of toys
that were produced increased rapidly. The group
originally called themselves “The Saints and
Sinners”.
Doc also began to enlist the aid of his patients.
As he told me, he would simply suggest to a
patient ‘you need to breathe a bit of saw dust’.
He would then give them a piece of paper with
the shop address on it and say, ‘come to this
address next Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. for all
the saw dust that you’ll need….and there’s no
charge for this office visit’. (At that time the shop
met on Tuesday instead of Thursday) So, now he
had a worker.
friends and associates, and the number of toys
that were produced increased rapidly. The group
originally called themselves “The Saints and
Sinners”.
Doc also began to enlist the aid of his patients.
As he told me, he would simply suggest to a
patient ‘you need to breathe a bit of saw dust’.
He would then give them a piece of paper with
the shop address on it and say, ‘come to this
address next Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. for all
the saw dust that you’ll need….and there’s no
charge for this office visit’. (At that time the shop
met on Tuesday instead of Thursday) So, now he
had a worker.
At this point I would like to take a
moment to speak some about Doc’s wife,
Francis. First of all, Francis is not really her
name. Her real name is Ila Faye McNeill. Doc
nicknamed her ‘Francis’ after a popular 1950’s
Television show that featured a talking mule
named Francis. The name stuck, and everyone
knows her as ‘Francis’. When Doc went into the
nursing home, Francis was more dedicated than
anyone I have ever known. Francis would make
him breakfast every morning, and then take it
to him at the nursing home. As he got worse,
she would feed him. She would then stay with
him until they brought the noon meal, and feed
him lunch. Francis would then go home, take a
short nap, and return to feed Doc his evening
meal. She did this seven days a week for
several years until her health began to fail. At
that time, Francis herself went into a nursing
home. We lost Doc in 1998. Francis couldn’t
attend the services because of her health.
moment to speak some about Doc’s wife,
Francis. First of all, Francis is not really her
name. Her real name is Ila Faye McNeill. Doc
nicknamed her ‘Francis’ after a popular 1950’s
Television show that featured a talking mule
named Francis. The name stuck, and everyone
knows her as ‘Francis’. When Doc went into the
nursing home, Francis was more dedicated than
anyone I have ever known. Francis would make
him breakfast every morning, and then take it
to him at the nursing home. As he got worse,
she would feed him. She would then stay with
him until they brought the noon meal, and feed
him lunch. Francis would then go home, take a
short nap, and return to feed Doc his evening
meal. She did this seven days a week for
several years until her health began to fail. At
that time, Francis herself went into a nursing
home. We lost Doc in 1998. Francis couldn’t
attend the services because of her health.
There have been many things that
have happened at the Toy Shop that are hard
to understand. I personally come form a fairly
religious family. Having gotten my first ten
years of education in parochial schools with
daily church attendance, I thought I had seen
it all. But the Toy Shop has brought me more
belief in God and a supreme being than all the
religion classes I ever attended. It is as if
someone is looking after the shop. I would like
to recount here just three of the things that
have happened at the shop over the years to
cause me to feel this way.
have happened at the Toy Shop that are hard
to understand. I personally come form a fairly
religious family. Having gotten my first ten
years of education in parochial schools with
daily church attendance, I thought I had seen
it all. But the Toy Shop has brought me more
belief in God and a supreme being than all the
religion classes I ever attended. It is as if
someone is looking after the shop. I would like
to recount here just three of the things that
have happened at the shop over the years to
cause me to feel this way.
First, I would like to mention that a
number of years ago the area in which we
are located began to be very crime ridden.
On summer nights we would often hear
gunfire coming from the large low-income
apartment complex across the street. Doc
said, ‘We need some lights around the shop,
several of our workers have expressed a
fear of being accosted going to and from
their vehicles.’ So we had several electrical
contractors come out and discuss the cost of
installing what we felt was the minimum
required lighting. The best quote we could
get at that time was $800.00. There was no
way that we could afford $800.00! After a
lot of inquiring, we came across an
electrical company executive that agreed to
come out and look at the shop. After
visiting with us, he said ‘Let me work on
this’. One afternoon a little later, he called
and said ‘There is someone that I want you
to show the shop to’. We met with them the
next afternoon. As it turned out, the second
man was worked for an electrical fixture
manufacturer who donated the fixtures. The
first man’s company donated the labor, and
we now have lights for our workers.
number of years ago the area in which we
are located began to be very crime ridden.
On summer nights we would often hear
gunfire coming from the large low-income
apartment complex across the street. Doc
said, ‘We need some lights around the shop,
several of our workers have expressed a
fear of being accosted going to and from
their vehicles.’ So we had several electrical
contractors come out and discuss the cost of
installing what we felt was the minimum
required lighting. The best quote we could
get at that time was $800.00. There was no
way that we could afford $800.00! After a
lot of inquiring, we came across an
electrical company executive that agreed to
come out and look at the shop. After
visiting with us, he said ‘Let me work on
this’. One afternoon a little later, he called
and said ‘There is someone that I want you
to show the shop to’. We met with them the
next afternoon. As it turned out, the second
man was worked for an electrical fixture
manufacturer who donated the fixtures. The
first man’s company donated the labor, and
we now have lights for our workers.
Our buildings are currently in very poor conditions, from old age. The newest one is of haydite
block construction and was built in the 1960’s. In this building we have a wood-burning stove. We joke
about it being our central heat and air conditioning unit. However, we are getting by with fans in the hot
summer time. Anyway, a few years ago we had a very bad rainwater leak in two of our buildings. These
are old flat roofs, which are expensive to repair. The leaks were so bad that we had to leave a lot of
plastic trashcans at strategic locations around the shop in case it rained during the week. Otherwise we
could not run the electric equipment on shop night. Standing on wet cement and running high voltage
equipment is quite dangerous! We did this trashcan thing for about a year or two, and had gotten three
estimates to repair the roof. Two of them were pretty close, but they were estimated at twenty thousand
five hundred dollars and twenty two thousand dollars! A third quote was given to us by a roofing
company owner, who said he knew of us and would do us a quality job at cost. But we would still have to
come up with a little over $14,000.00! There was no way with a budget at the time of about $5,000.00
per year that we could possibly afford this kind of expense. So we did without the roof repair. One day,
out of the blue, I got a call from a man who asked ‘Are you associated with the Toy Shop?’ Of course I
answered yes. He said ‘I understand that you have a leaking roof problem.’ I said, ‘Yes sir, we have a
terrible problem.’ He went on to ask if we had a repair estimate done. After discussing the roof, I gave
him the estimate prices that we had been given. We talked a bit more, and then he said, ‘You will
receive a check’ and then he hung up abruptly. Shortly thereafter, we received a cashier’s check for
$14,000.00, made out to the roofing company whose name I had given him. The roofs were repaired with
us not knowing who our benefactor was. I later got a call from the same man. He asked, ‘Did you
receive the check?’ I said yes. ‘Did you get the roofs repaired?’ Once again I said yes. I then went on
to ask him, ’Sir, we want to Thank you very, very much. May I send you a thank you note? We are
recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable institution, and they will allow you to deduct
this wonderful contribution from your income taxes.’ He said, ‘No, just keep making toys.’ Then he
hung up the phone. We have no idea who he was, where he came from, or where he heard about our
needs, but Thank God for him.
block construction and was built in the 1960’s. In this building we have a wood-burning stove. We joke
about it being our central heat and air conditioning unit. However, we are getting by with fans in the hot
summer time. Anyway, a few years ago we had a very bad rainwater leak in two of our buildings. These
are old flat roofs, which are expensive to repair. The leaks were so bad that we had to leave a lot of
plastic trashcans at strategic locations around the shop in case it rained during the week. Otherwise we
could not run the electric equipment on shop night. Standing on wet cement and running high voltage
equipment is quite dangerous! We did this trashcan thing for about a year or two, and had gotten three
estimates to repair the roof. Two of them were pretty close, but they were estimated at twenty thousand
five hundred dollars and twenty two thousand dollars! A third quote was given to us by a roofing
company owner, who said he knew of us and would do us a quality job at cost. But we would still have to
come up with a little over $14,000.00! There was no way with a budget at the time of about $5,000.00
per year that we could possibly afford this kind of expense. So we did without the roof repair. One day,
out of the blue, I got a call from a man who asked ‘Are you associated with the Toy Shop?’ Of course I
answered yes. He said ‘I understand that you have a leaking roof problem.’ I said, ‘Yes sir, we have a
terrible problem.’ He went on to ask if we had a repair estimate done. After discussing the roof, I gave
him the estimate prices that we had been given. We talked a bit more, and then he said, ‘You will
receive a check’ and then he hung up abruptly. Shortly thereafter, we received a cashier’s check for
$14,000.00, made out to the roofing company whose name I had given him. The roofs were repaired with
us not knowing who our benefactor was. I later got a call from the same man. He asked, ‘Did you
receive the check?’ I said yes. ‘Did you get the roofs repaired?’ Once again I said yes. I then went on
to ask him, ’Sir, we want to Thank you very, very much. May I send you a thank you note? We are
recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable institution, and they will allow you to deduct
this wonderful contribution from your income taxes.’ He said, ‘No, just keep making toys.’ Then he
hung up the phone. We have no idea who he was, where he came from, or where he heard about our
needs, but Thank God for him.
Last but not least, a few years ago our air compressors (two 220 volt units) and all of our
electricity in one building had quit working. Mac had found that they were wired thru the wall and
under ground, then around to one of the other buildings. At the other building we had current going into
the ground, but none coming out at the building where the compressors were located. After much
checking, we found the problem. A company that specializes in finding underground short circuits came
(at no charge) and showed us where the problem was located. Thirty or forty years ago, a pillar that
supports one of the additions to our building had been set directly over this electrical cable. Over the
years it had settled down enough to break the cable. We dug up the area and found the break. Mac
gave me a sample of the cable, telling me to get five or six feet of it so that we could make the repair.
After a lot of searching, I found that this cable could not be bought, except commercially. It was too
heavy and was not available on the general market. The only people that used wire of that size was
Dallas Power & Light Co. I went to them. They would not sell it at any cost! A few days later we
noticed a Dallas Power & Light Co. crew working on high voltage lines near the shop. It was about
lunchtime, so we looked up the foreman. We offered to buy the foreman a good lunch if he would let us
run him by the Toy Shop to see what we do there. He was agreeable. After looking at the problem, and
seeing the toys that we make. He looked at the chain link fence and said, ‘ Is that gate always locked?
Because if it were left unlocked the rest of the day, you never can tell what might happen.’ I left it
unlocked. About six o’clock that evening I went by the shop to lock the gate. The hole were the shorted
wire had been located was filled in, and the electricity was working in the building that previously had
no power. Everything was fixed!
electricity in one building had quit working. Mac had found that they were wired thru the wall and
under ground, then around to one of the other buildings. At the other building we had current going into
the ground, but none coming out at the building where the compressors were located. After much
checking, we found the problem. A company that specializes in finding underground short circuits came
(at no charge) and showed us where the problem was located. Thirty or forty years ago, a pillar that
supports one of the additions to our building had been set directly over this electrical cable. Over the
years it had settled down enough to break the cable. We dug up the area and found the break. Mac
gave me a sample of the cable, telling me to get five or six feet of it so that we could make the repair.
After a lot of searching, I found that this cable could not be bought, except commercially. It was too
heavy and was not available on the general market. The only people that used wire of that size was
Dallas Power & Light Co. I went to them. They would not sell it at any cost! A few days later we
noticed a Dallas Power & Light Co. crew working on high voltage lines near the shop. It was about
lunchtime, so we looked up the foreman. We offered to buy the foreman a good lunch if he would let us
run him by the Toy Shop to see what we do there. He was agreeable. After looking at the problem, and
seeing the toys that we make. He looked at the chain link fence and said, ‘ Is that gate always locked?
Because if it were left unlocked the rest of the day, you never can tell what might happen.’ I left it
unlocked. About six o’clock that evening I went by the shop to lock the gate. The hole were the shorted
wire had been located was filled in, and the electricity was working in the building that previously had
no power. Everything was fixed!
What I have told you here are just a few of the many things that keep the shop going. I believe with
all of my heart that it is such a good project that it will continue long after I am gone. Doc used to tell
me ‘when it’s my time, someone will come to take my place’ I always told him, ‘Doc, that’s great, but it’
s not me. I’m a traveling salesman with five children, operating a small farm, keeping up several rent
houses. I’m just to busy to take on that job.’ Doc would just smile and walk away.
I truly believe that the ‘Toy Shop’ is to good a project to die. No matter what, the good Lord looks after
it, and whether it is me, or whoever else is left in charge, IT WILL KEEP ON GOING!
all of my heart that it is such a good project that it will continue long after I am gone. Doc used to tell
me ‘when it’s my time, someone will come to take my place’ I always told him, ‘Doc, that’s great, but it’
s not me. I’m a traveling salesman with five children, operating a small farm, keeping up several rent
houses. I’m just to busy to take on that job.’ Doc would just smile and walk away.
I truly believe that the ‘Toy Shop’ is to good a project to die. No matter what, the good Lord looks after
it, and whether it is me, or whoever else is left in charge, IT WILL KEEP ON GOING!
| These pages were done by Susan Tuscana and are the property of Hobby Crafters Foundation. Do not use without express permission from both the above stated parties. |
Also as the shop grew and needed more money for machinery, or funding for lumber, paint, utilities,
etc., Doc found that people would help him if he would just ask them. He would approach his more affluent
patients for help with his pet charity. Many of them responded. They helped provide the material for the
buildings we now call #2 and #3. Building #1 was originally a low ceiling barn, but it became the first shop,
and it is still in use today. Building #2 and #3 were built in the 1950's and 60's.
etc., Doc found that people would help him if he would just ask them. He would approach his more affluent
patients for help with his pet charity. Many of them responded. They helped provide the material for the
buildings we now call #2 and #3. Building #1 was originally a low ceiling barn, but it became the first shop,
and it is still in use today. Building #2 and #3 were built in the 1950's and 60's.