TLC Toys Inc.

08/11/2021

TLC Toys has updated their Web page. You can see the new look site at:

“Through giving you become more than you ever thought you could be!” What we do We make a difference with a toy that shows someone cares! Our StoryFor Mel Hartman, his hobby turned into a passion to serve less fortunate children. Learn More SponsorsThese supporters and sponsors are joined by man...

04/23/2020

The Covid-19 crisis has caused a break in business as usual for much of the United States. TLC Toys has been affected as well. However, dedicated volunteers and partners find a way to keep our mission going. Many of our volunteers are now working in their own homes and churning out quality toys for deserving children. Thanks to Metro Auto Graphics and the North Star Scrollers Group for their work on our NSS Racers.

02/14/2020

Thirty years ago, TLC Toys was started with the purpose of providing toys to deserving children in the Twin City area. The founder of TLC Toys, Mel Hartman created a great organization consisting of motivated volunteers and a network of civic minded businesses. This framework has allowed TLC Toys to continue after Mel's passing in 2019.

We are now entering our 30th year with optimism and a strong spirit of volunteering. If you would like to volunteer in the production of our wooden toys (drilling, sawing, painting, assembling in your home workshop), or provide funds or raw materials to TLC Toys please use the following email to get further information.

[email protected]

09/06/2019

Since we last posted TLC has been very busy on our mission of providing toys for deserving children. Our volunteers make this possible. When we think about volunteering there are many definitions. Here is one that best describes those who volunteer at TLC:

Volunteer, verb - To choose to act in recognition of a need, with an attitude of social responsibility and without concern for monetary profit, going beyond one's basic obligations.

TLC partners with individuals and other organizations to meet the needs of deserving children in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Additionally, as we are serving the needs of local children, we are also providing purpose to retirees and others who choose to volunteer. A couple of good examples of how a network of people and organizations provides finished toys is written below.

Treasure Box:

Raw wood that makes up the treasure box is provided is provided to TLC by Woodcraft Industries of St. Cloud. Working in our Big Lake wood shop, four TLC retirees then begin all sawing, routing, milling and assembly work. There are 4 buttons used for the Treasure Box feet that are purchased items from donated funds. Finally, the individual boxes are bagged and tagged with the TLC logo and are boxed for storage awaiting the Holiday delivery period.

Pine Cars:

One of our most basic toys is made from two-by-fours that are provided by Home Depot in C**n Rapids. This stock is then given to a retiree who cuts out the blanks for each car in his home shop. These blanks are then brought to our Big Lake shop where two retirees work on drilling and sanding each blank. These blanks are now ready for painting and assembly at the homes of five other volunteers. Our volunteers paint the wheels and the cars. The axels, wheels and paint are purchased items that are bought using charitable donations. The cars are then tagged, bagged and boxed with the TLC logo. They are then brought back to the Big Lake shop for storage awaiting Holiday delivery.

The effort and generosity of our volunteers (individuals and organizations) makes our mission possible. If you would like to be one of our volunteers by providing time, materials or monetary donations to TLCs mission please contact us using the information provided on our Facebook About page.

04/09/2019

Speaking for the volunteers past and present, the loss of Mel Hartman was deeply felt. Mel’s mission of providing toys for deserving children was one we all shared. TLC Toys was the legal entity that Mel founded as a way to accomplish his mission.

A few months before his passing Mel met with a number of his current volunteers to see if we wished to continue his legacy. The answer was a resounding yes. The legal transfer of the organization was completed in January of this year. TLC Toys, with the help of its many volunteers, will proudly continue Mel’s mission. Thanks to all who have supported TLC Toys throughout the years. Please stay tuned to our page for additional updates.

12/21/2018

04/28/2017

Thank you TLC Toys for donating these beautifully hand-crafted wooden toys for our kids! Please check out their website www.tlctoys.org They do amazing work and are very generous to our community!

06/27/2016

Please contact Bill if you are interested in helping, please contact Bill. Thx

11/12/2015

Lets help TLC Toys put smiles on kids faces! Please donate & share!

TLC Toys has been making toys for less fortunate children for 23 years. We work with other non profits to distribute our toys over the holiday season. All toys are made with donated materials and volunteer work. All of our toys are distributed thru various shelters, churches, and hospitals. our toys…

03/17/2015

FREE - Challenge Coin Holders! ! T.L.C. Toys is in its 26th year of providing quality wooden toys to deserving children, including thousands of toys to the children of our military personnel. Now we are offering Challenge Coin Holders. ! To obtain your coin holder contact: ! ! ! ! John Anderson at [email protected]! ! ! ! Mel Hartman at [email protected]! Recipients must pick up the coin holders or pay the postage for shipping. Coin holders are 3 levels. To determine what size you need ; each 2 inches in length will hold 3 coins; i.e. a 6 inch coin holder will hold 9 coins.

12/11/2014

Our founder Mel Hartman will be on the radio this Sunday. Please tune in to NewsTalk 1130 AM on Sunday from 07:00-08:00 for the Minnesota Military Radio Hour. Mel will describe what we've been up to, talk about our donations to military families and a special note about the Coin Holders designed and built by our own John Anderson.
Please join us Sunday!!