UVC board member Deaconess Catherine Inserra recently interviewed Lisa Williams about her late husband’s Toy Car Ministry. Inspired by a similar ministry in Florida, Rev. Doug Williams brought the idea of making and distributing toy wooden cars to his congregation 10 years ago as a new ministry to children. A woodworker hobbyist, it was Doug’s dream for a life-giving impact. See the video interview below.
The congregation began the ministry and by the end of their first year had made and distributed 95 cars. By October 2021, the church had given away approximate 14,000 cars. UVC partner agency Kids Above All is one of the recipients of the “unplugged” toys, having received the cars for their children in their early childhood program and foster care.
This “assembly line ministry” takes many hands to cut out the car pieces, sand the pieces, assemble, paint and coordinate distribution. Lisa notes that a lot of people partnered with the church to serve in this ministry, from Boy Scout troops to Wesley Willows retirement home residents to National Honor Society students. “Lots of different people, lots of different stages in life, everybody working together on this ‘assembly line of a different kind’ manufactures these beautiful, simple, non-electric cars,” notes Deaconess Inserra.
Lisa Williams agreed, adding that she wants people to know that “something so simple that many hands have contributed to can have such a profound impact in the life of a child— and to convey how it is such a unique and beautiful and fun way to show that so many people care and love others.”
Rev. Williams built a beautiful legacy of care in the construction simple toy cars, and the ministry continues.