Photo: Ryan Schultz
(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- An Iowa man has been using his 3-D printer to benefit Toys for Tots. Ryan Schultz of Marion is part of a national network of 3-D printing enthusiasts, who've been cranking out small hard-plastic toys for the Christmas time charity. Schultz has created more than 1,000 small toys this fall, which will be distributed to children in the Cedar Rapids area.
"I was a foster parent for over ten years...and I have three adopted children of my own. Foster kids come with nothing - no clothes, no toys, no suitcase of stuff. It's important that these kids have toys of their own because these toys mean something to them."
Ryan currently works full-time in IT. He and his wife also own and operate ProLift Garage Doors of Cedar Rapids.
He's part of a national network of 3D printers participating in its Toys for Tots printing program. They provide guides for printing, including the required filament and parameters. Toys range in print time from 7 hours to 35 hours, and printers can choose which designs they want to print. Sign-up for the 2025 program will open in the spring. To learn more about the program, please visit www.ic3dprinters.com/3d-printed-toys-for-tots.
Photo: Ryan Schultz