Jan 25, 2009 - Sunday - Mission Complete!!! The shelves are finished! It looks like a real warehouse!! Because we had all the wood cut and most of the prep work done yesterday and had a system down, this morning we went right to work. Since we had everything cut, we could close the garage door today and keep it warmer in the warehouse, much better! It was actually hot on the top shelves!! We had to make a few trips to Home Depot to pick up extra lag bolts, drill bits, and more 2x4s.

Thanks again to the food crew for breakfast and warm homemade ziti for lunch.

There are so many people to thank, every person who helped made this project possible. Everyone put in alot of work this weekend helping me with this project. I would really like to thank everyone, I could not have done this without everyones help.

Jan 24, 2009 - Saturday - Today was a cold, early start! We started off slow, but finished more than half of the shelving. We spent alot of time getting organized and getting the system down. Once we had the system we worked like a well oiled machine assembling shelf after shelf. Crews were measuring and cutting, others were nailing shelves together, crews were moving hundreds of toys to make room for the shelves and another crew was preparing food to keep everyone energized. It was really cold in the warehouse and even colder outside. If you are coming tomorrow, bring your gloves.

At the end of the day, we had shelving along one wall and half way across the back wall. We worked until well after 5:00. Thanks to everyone who prepared breakfast and lunch for everyone today. Over 45 volunteers helped today...I was amazed at how many people came down to help out - Thanks!!

Jan 23, 2009 - Friday - Today we accepted delivery of all the lumber. Nassau/Suffolk Lumber of Huntington delivered the lumber about 4 o'clock. Wow, do we have alot of wood!!! I hope this project can be completed this weekend. My Dad and I also went to Home Depot and were able to get the rest of the hardware, so we should be all set for tomorrow. Thanks again to everyone who made this project a reality.

January 22, 2009 - Thursday - Today Chris Catalano and I went to the warehouse and made room in the warehouse to put all the lumber inside.

Project Schedule:

Jan 16, 2009 - Hi All - Thanks for your interest, help and support in my Eagle project - to build shelves at the Toys of Hope warehouse in Huntington Station. Toys of Hope is a non-profit organization that provides toys and other needed items to familys in need throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Last year alone they helped out over 50,000 kids!

This site’s purpose is to give you update progress on my project. I plan on updating this site few times per week as the plan moves forward . If you would like to help me with my project and volenteer your time on any of these dates, please contact me at email me at tom.shields@gmail.com. I could really use the help!

Fundraising has gone pretty well. Thanks to all that attended the Chili's Resterant fundraiser and/or made a donation. I have currently collected over $1,100 not including other donation pledges. My needed goal is 2,500, so if you would like to make a donation, please contact me!

I have to say thank you again to all that have supported me in this. From those that made donations, to Mr. Brown and Mr. Leo for building guidance, Mr. Power for his help in seeing me though this, Mr. Sterler for his help and guidance and my Mom, & Dad, and friends and family for all of their support. This seemed like an impossible task but with all of your help and support, it is getting done!

Where is the warehouse? 167 east 2nd Street, Huntington Station, 11743

Heading north on New York Avenue it is the last right turn before the train bridge---just past the gas station it is a quick right turn---one way street----drive down (east) 2nd Street and cross over Lenox Ave into industrial park make the first left into the parking lot and drive around the back to the left #167 the building has the logo on the front and the warehouse is around the back facing the railroad tracks...

Tools needed: There are specific tool lists that I am creating for Mr. Leo, Mr. Brown, Mr. Shields and Mr. Power. In addition to that if you are coming down to voluenteer to help out with the build and can bring any of the following it would be greatly appreciated.

More information about the Toys of Hope Foundation can be found here.