Cheer Boxes Project

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What is a Cheer Box you say? One member of Woodworkers of Whittier knew because he had built some for La Serna High School a few years back. Yes, but what is a cheer box?

“Cheer Boxes” are, well, wooden boxes that are used by high school cheerleaders during events like football. The cheerleaders, girls and boys both, stand on the boxes while leading cheers, incorporate the boxes into their routines, and, before and after the game, load their paraphernalia like pom moms, sweaters, and the like.

Dick Toney and Paul Wilson inspect cheer boxes at wow’s shop at hathaway ranch museum before delivery

Woodworkers of Whittier (WOW) were approached by Alyssa Vasquez, Cheer Team Coach, to see if we were interested in building “cheer boxes” for the Whittier High School Cheer Team. Several WOW members met to determine the specifications and then met with the coach. A sample cheer box was built to test the concept and determine the cost.

Box in hand, another meeting with Ms. Vasquez to show the sample and get an approval to begin. The price was right: materials only and labor would be donated by WOW members.

varsity and junior varsity cheer team members pickup their custom-made cheer boxes

Some 29 boxes were built over the course of 2 weeks. WOW set up a production line at Louis Lopez’s home shop and the raw materials were cut to size for all 29 boxes. After cutouts for handles were added the cut materials were brought to Hathaway Ranch Museum where WOW produces toys for children during the year. The boxes were assembled and sanded.

Delivery was made one afternoon after school where cheer team members came to retrieve their custom-made cheer boxes. Team members will paint and decorate the boxes before the first football game in a couple of weeks. When team members complete their boxes we will take pictures of the boxes decorated and in use. Stay tuned.

WOW members participating in the project include Skip Porter, Louis Lopez, Dick Toney, Carlos Jackson, Ray Sosa, Gene Getz, Julie McCamey, Arie Korporaal, Paul Wilson, and student Wyatt Sprowls.

PIH Recognizes WOW's Work

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Paul Wilson, Arie korporaal, dick Toney donate wooden cars to PIH

The Presbyterian Intercommunity Health Volunteer Voice Newsletter for June recognized the Woodworkers of Whittier for its donation to the PIH Health Whittier Hospital Emergency Department. Paul Wilson, Arie Korporaal, and Dick Toney delivered a box of selected handmade wooden toy cars.

This donation is in addition to the more than 20 charities that receive toy building blocks and toy cars annually in December. Building blocks are created from recycled wood provided by the Carpenters Union training center in Buena Park. Wooden cars are hand crafted by members in their home workshops.

The Return of Founders Day

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The second Saturday in May saw the return of Whittier City’s Founder Day celebration. The most recent Founders Day was held in 2019. The celebration was on hold during the pandemic.

As before, the celebration was held in Central Park in Uptown Whittier. The 4-hour affair saw the Woodworkers of Whittier (WOW) with its expansive booth “on the green.” WOW was a sponsor of the event and was recognized as such on a banner stretched across Whittier Boulevard near Mills Avenue.

WOW’s booth featured Steve Romo demonstrating turning a bowl on the lathe. He was joined by Ray Sosa who demonstrated scroll saw work during the celebration. Both members were visited throughout by curious event attendees.

Wooden cars were given to kids, young and old. Some parents made donations, others were thankful for the gift. A number of kids took their undecorated cars over to the Whittier Art Association and Gallery booth where Art Association members helped kids decorate their cars with provided supplies. Visitor donations generated $46 for the club’s coffers.

Louis Lopez joined WOW’s expanded booth and brought custom trivets, cutting boards, and Lazy Susan’s for sale. Louis seemed to be doing a brisk business with his custom-made kitchenware. Carlos Jackson, a former and now current member, and Julie McCamey were seen visiting the WOW booth.

Members taking care of the booth were President Paul Wilson, Dick and Jackie Toney, Louis Lopez, Steve Romo, Ray Sosa, and Treasurer Arie Korporaal. Thanks to all who helped at the booth, stopped by and checked in, and, of course, all our visitors and donors.

Attention! All Things Clay, Glass, Wood & Metal

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Charcuterie by Ray Wolven

The Whittier Art Association and Gallery has an “all call” out for artists to participate in the All Things Clay, Glass, Wood & Metal 3D Show & Sale. The show and sale dates are March 8 to April 1, 2023 at the Whittier Art Gallery.

This is an opportunity to get some of your best works shown and sold. There will be no judging of items shown and awards will not be given. This is an opportunity to sell your works of wood. Several of our members, notably Steve Lelewer and Ramiro Garate, have had or now have several of their items displayed in the gift gallery. You could too.

To participate:

  1. Pay an entry fee of $25 per artist and one item for donation.

  2. Gallery staff will set up and sell your work(s); no limit on number of pieces but everything must be for sale. (Seconds, slightly imperfect or flawed works accepted).

  3. You provide your original works with prices and a Gallery Inventory List to the Gallery at Take-In on Sunday, March 5th between 10 am and 4 pm.

  4. All types of clay, glass, wood, and metal works are accepted.

  5. Gallery commission is only 30%.

  6. For further information or to request a pretake-in packet (which includes the Gallery Inventory List and price stickers), call 562-698-8710 and leave your name, address, and telephone number.

Take In: Sunday, March 5, 10 am to 4 pm.
Show Dates: March 8 to April 1, 2023
Take Out: To be determined
All Things Clay, Glass, Wood & Metal Whittier Art Gallery
8035 Painter Avenue
Whittier, CA 90602

December Pushstick Now on the Web

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The December issue of The Pushstick, the club’s newsletter, has been posted in the Newsletter section of the website. This issue features the President’s Column, upcoming events including the Christmas Party, and a recap of events for 2022. Also included is a letter to members along with a tribute to veterans who are club members. Check it out.

Thanks to Ray Wolven, our Secretary, for his good work on the newsletter. If you are a member and would like to receive the newsletter by email, members can sign up using the form below. If you are not a member and would like more information about the club contact membership@woodworkersofwhittier.org.

November Pushstick Now on the Web

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The November issue of The Pushstick, the club’s newsletter, has been posted in the Newsletter section of the website. This issue features the President’s Message, upcoming events, monthly Show and Tell, and a new section, “Pushstick Show and Tell” where members share and describe projects they have made in their home workshops. If you have a project to share contact webmaster@woodworkersofwhittier.org. An article shared by Michael Perovich is in preparation and will be posted when complete.

Minutes of the October 18, 2022, Steering Committee meeting are also included in this issue along with a graphic tribute to our Veterans. Check it out.

Thanks to Ray Wolven, our Secretary, for his good work on the newsletter. If you are a member and would like to receive the newsletter by email, members can sign up using the form below. If you are not a member and would like more information about the club contact membership@woodworkersofwhittier.org.

We Have a Winner!

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Ray Sosa, Rubin Johnson, Paul Wilson (l. to r.)

Holtz participation awardees: Ray Sosa, Rubin Johnson, and president Paul Wilson (l. to r.)

Actually we have two winners. WOW members Ray Sosa and Rubin Johnson were awarded the first-ever Ron Holtz Participation Award. The two prolific woodworkers never fail to bring items to share during the club’s Show and Tell section of its monthly general meetings.

Ray and Rubin both shared their creations at each general meeting from January to October of this year. (November is our wheels and axles night and December is the holiday banquet.

Congratulation to the club’s newest award winners!