One man brought joy to kids in need by putting together one-of-a-kind gifts in his own workshop.
    
He’s being nicknamed a modern day Gepetto, with a remarkable Christmas spirit.
    
Verne Himely is a veteran wood-worker who turns chunks of mahogany and poplar into toys. 

Himely’s white beard and red cap conjure up comparisons to Santa. And like Santa, the great-grandfather builds a fleet of toys each year. 

He then donates the toys to the "Forgotten Children’s" fund, a volunteer group that rounds up Christmas gifts for more than 600 needy families in Washington state. 

Himely can relate to those kids in need, because growing up, his family was poor.

He started eight years ago, building more toys every season.

Last year, he stopped altogether to help his wife Carolyn battle cancer. Today, she is healthy and the workshop is back in business.

His project is now complete after Himely delivered a final batch to a local restaurant. 

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