Photos by Karen Fien
“Children need to be allowed to be children.” That belief is central to a project that has brought area businesses, a church congregation, and families together in the Spirit of the Season to bring some joy to children at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.
This is the fourth year that Brockport resident Anthony (Tony) Gruttadauro, through his company, FHG Custom Furniture and Craft, has led the effort to create wooden puzzles to donate at Christmastime to the children at Golisano.
It started with 38 puzzles the first year and has grown each year. Thanks to what Tony describes as “just an overwhelming amount of community support,” this year’s donation includes over 170 individual puzzles – gifts for approximately 150 children, as some packets have two smaller puzzles.
The puzzles are fun and therapeutic for the young warrior patients. Having different-sized pieces helps with motor skills to engage cognitive processes. Some of the puzzles are even used in physical therapy treatment.
Tony started working on this year’s project back in August. Major contributors include Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencerport as well as Stockham Lumber in Holley, Lowe’s in Brockport, and Lake Shore Hardwoods in Victor and Pulaski, which all donated supplies. “I can’t thank them enough,” Tony said. “I get goosebumps when I think of how everyone has come together for this.”
The puzzles are handcrafted from various kinds of wood, including ash, oak, walnut, maple, and cherry. After milling the lumber, Tony runs it through a few rounds of sanding. He then cuts out all the puzzles and does some shaping by hand with a rotary tool. Many are shaped like animals – from cats and dogs to elephants, cows, bunnies, and more. There are also trains, dinosaurs, hearts, and snowmen, to name a few. This year’s donation includes a chunky, shape-matching puzzle specifically for use in Golisano’s physical therapy department.
The wood is left bare at the hospital’s request as some children have reactions to various topcoat finishes. Because the wood is bare, it requires a lot of sanding to a 220 grit finish to ensure there are no sharp edges. Tony holds sanding parties where volunteers of all ages enjoy fellowship while helping the effort. Sometimes they even gather around a campfire at the end of a hard day’s work.
Once the puzzles are finished, they need to be packaged for gifting. A packing party was held at Trinity Lutheran Church on December 10 to prepare puzzles for delivery to Golisano on December 15. Volunteers placed the assembled puzzles in zipper bags along with a sheet specific to each shape puzzle indicating what wood it is made from and the level of difficulty. On the back is a letter to the patient’s parent or caregiver that explains the project and offers words of support. “Your love is the most powerful medication you can give your loved one. Stay strong in your faith and love. Know that you are not alone in this fight,” it reads, in part. A Christmas greeting is also included, with an angel printed on the back for the child to color.
Tony says that making and donating the puzzles for the children is something he has always had in his heart to do, and he would do it with or without community support, but it’s incredibly moving to see so many people coming together to pitch in, regardless of political or religious beliefs. “Businesses and a congregation came together in a truly selfless act to help a child to just be a child, and not a sick child,” he said.
This year, Tony is also providing Golisano with small, wooden hearts to be given as a remembrance token to families whose child lost their battle. “It’s just something they can keep in their pocket. Something to touch and say, ‘I love you’ or ‘I miss you.’” He hopes to get a laser to engrave a message on the hearts for future donations.
Tony hopes to see the project continue to grow, and plans to start making puzzles in July next year. He asks that any businesses, individuals, or groups who would like to help, reach out to him through his business, FHG Custom Furniture and Craft. You don’t need to know anything about woodworking to volunteer. Tony says he is good at providing instruction. “I’ve been teaching Cub Scouts how to use pocket knives for 30 years, and no one has lost an appendage. I’m quite proud of that.”
All are welcome to join the effort – businesses, scout troops, church groups, service clubs, anyone and everyone can contribute in some way. See contact information at https://www.fhgcraft.com or call 585-794-6310.
