By RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The 35th Dr. Fred P. Ruda Teaming Up for Tots Day took place inside the CATS Woodshop on Saturday as part of Fort Hays State University’s long-standing holiday toy-building tradition. The event provides experiential learning in manufacturing while giving back to the community by creating toys for underserved children.
Assistant Professor of Applied Technology Zack Pixler led the toy build and taught participants how to use each machine.
“They design the toy from start to finish, and they learn about the manufacturing process,” he said. “They also learn about designing jigs and fixtures and the whole design from start to finish.”
Pixler instructs participants on the manufacturing process and how they serve the community through toy-building. 
Zach Pixler, Assistant Professor of Applied Technology, shows a model of a toy helicopter he wants builders to make. 
Dan Schluckebier drills a whole in a piece of wood where the manufacturing process begins. 
A helicopter model is sand-faced before being constructed further. 
Builders pass their work to each other upon completion in their individual roles. 
Carly Marie Odegard passes along a helicopter-shaped piece of wood to a young participant. 
Bryan Pixler, saws off a piece of foam that serve as propellers on the toy helicopters. 
Mryma Jordan stains the toys while chatting with Marlisa Berner who wipes the toys down. 
Jackson Sinsel hammers a wooden pillar into a model. 
Propellers are applied to the toy helicopters. 
Approximately 185 toys were produced by the end of the project which exceeded the goal of 180. 
The Toy Build was founded by the late Dr. Fred Ruda who made made it his mission to serve the Hays community through manufacturing giving back.
Ruda, a professor and department chair at Fort Hays, began the tradition of serving underprivileged children in the Hays community before his passing in a car accident in 2012.
“When Fred Ruda started this in the early 90s, his main goal was to give back to those in need in the community,” Pixler said. “It’s important to me and our department to keep this project going in Fred’s name and keep his legacy going. He was a pillar in our department, university, and the Hays community in general. So, being able to give back and still have his name on this is very important to all of us.”
Many families brought their children to participate in the toy building, which Pixler sees as a chance to instill values of serving others in them.
“When parents bring their children to that event, I like to think they’re instilling that thought process of giving back during the holiday season,” he said. “We had kids as young as four or five years old here, running back and forth, moving stuff from one station to the next, and a lot of them were returners. So, this event makes kids want to come back and participate because seeing a toy go from a pile of lumber to a finished product is a special thing, and the kids say, ‘Hey! I had a hand in that!’”
Pixler aimed to have 180 wooden toy helicopters produced in the manufacturing process. By the end of the event, 185 were made.
“One of the things I wanted to stress was we don’t come here to build these toys quickly,” he said. “We come here to enjoy each other’s company, spend time with one another, make new friends, and reunite with old friends while we build toys. The holidays are all about that sense of community and giving back to those who need help. This is a tough time of year for a lot of people due to financial situations or loss in their family. Being able to provide a service and build something that can uplift people is pretty special. So, this is the perfect event for the holiday season to get that sense of community and give back.”