Handmade Pens Created for U.S. Troops Overseas
For a second year, Woodcraft stores nationwide will support the Freedom Pens Project by hosting turn-a-thons during Veteran’s Day weekend, November 11-12, 2005. Handcrafted pens will be sent to thousands of American servicemen and women actively deployed overseas after the event. “In 2004 there were 9,000 pens created during turn-a-thons at Woodcraft stores,” according to Jeff Forbes, president of Woodcraft Supply Corp. “Our stores had hundreds of people --- many who were first-time turners --- donate their time and talents to creating pens for our troops. We hope to beat that number this year so that even more soldiers can receive pens as a constant reminder that people back home remember and appreciate their efforts.” The collected pens will immediately be distributed to U.S. troops overseas through the organization’s founder, SawMill Creek. Since the program’s beginning in January of 2004, more than 40,300 customized pens have been created and sent to members of the armed forces on a regular basis. The all-volunteer effort was launched by members of the SawMill Creek Woodworkers Forum as a way to remind troops far from home that they are not alone. “Each time one of our handmade writing instruments is used by a military person overseas to write a letter home, it’s a symbol of our support that the people of America care deeply about them,” says Keith Outten, project administrator for the Freedom Pens Project. “Many Woodcraft stores participated in turn-a-thons throughout 2004,” according to Ken Salisbury, a Korean War veteran and the project coordinator for the Freedom Pens Project. “The company’s determination to increase its involvement nationally is greatly appreciated and should serve as a catalyst for the creation of even more pens for our troops.” As the first national sponsor of Freedom Pens Project, Woodcraft has worked closely with organization leaders to publicize the group’s goals and help strengthen the donation effort. “We’ve been fortunate that our pen kit supplier, Berea Hardwoods, has agreed to donate thousands of pen kits to help with this event,” says Forbes. “Their efforts will help make it easier to reach our goal of 10,000 pens during the turn-a-thon events.” Independent Woodcraft stores hosting turn-a-thons with significant donations to the Freedom Pens Project throughout 2004 include Fort Worth, Texas (2,792 pens), Dallas, Texas (980 pens) Peoria, Ill. (672 pens), Knoxville, Tenn. (639 pens) and Seattle, Wash. (589 pens). Most of the 75+ Woodcraft stores nationwide are expected to participate in the Veteran’s Day Weekend turn-a-thon. “Pen turning is one of the fastest and easiest woodworking skills to learn and enjoy,” says Forbes. “It requires few supplies and a small amount of workspace, plus pen turning produces relatively fast results. A first pen project takes about 30 to 45 minutes ---- but, after creating a few pens this time can drop down to just 15 minutes each. Using basic lathe skills, anyone can produce a good quality pen for our troops quickly.” For more information on the Freedom Pens Project, visit www.freedompens.org. Woodcraft Supply Corp. is the industry’s leading retailer of top quality woodworking supplies, materials and tools. The company sells products through direct-mail catalogs, an on-line web site store (located at www.woodcraft.com) and at more than 80 retail stores located nationwide. Woodcraft specializes in providing educational support to woodworkers at all skill levels via www.woodcraftuniversity.com, educational seminars and demonstrations, a technical assistance call line (800-535-4486) and in-store experts. For more information on Woodcraft and the store in your area, call 800-535-4482.
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