Army veteran spent last 50 years making wooden toys for kids

Lee County veteran who crafts wooden toys for children in need surprised by viewer donations

ABC 11 News
By Akilah Davis
December 20, 2019

The 80-year-old Army veteran has helped Santa out every holiday season for the past 50 years by creating wooden toys.

"You've got people from California to Texas... way out there. I never dreamed of this many people hearing my story," said Annis. "A lady and a man came in here last week and said it's not much wood, but you can make a few toys."

SANFORD, N.C. (WTVD) -- Jim Annis is just as close to being a real-life Santa as it gets. He spends several hours a day in his wooden workshop making toys out of wood for kids in need every Christmas. It's a small price for a big reward.

"It's amazing what you can do with a block of wood," said Annis. "A lot of times the kids just look in amazement. Like, I'm going to get that?"
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