In November 2025, the Central Texas Woodturners (Austin, Texas), again joined forces with Operation KidDocs (OKD) for a charitable fundraiser. The primary purpose of this effort was to financially assist in their activities to provide medical assistance to children in need in Guatemala. Our chapter members donated turned items for OKD’s annual auction, held at their Fall Gala, to generate funds to cover expenses. Operation KidDocs is an organization funded by healthcare providers at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. OKD physicians, nurses, operating room technicians, and additional staff travel to Guatemala City, Guatemala, at their own expense twice every year to operate on children who would not otherwise receive the care they require. The OKD group performs more than 100 operations during their two trips annually. The operations are performed free of charge to the families, who travel with their children—often walking for several days—to receive this care. The families are also provided with food and shelter while their children recover. One member of the Central Texas Woodturners, Mike Josephs, MD, is a pediatric surgeon and long-time OKD participant. Mike organized the collection and presentation of our club’s many donated turnings. This was the first time the Central Texas Woodturners participated in this most worthy event, where our donated items were auctioned and generated over $4,000 to help defray OKD expenses. Through donations of turned pieces each year, we have also supported the Texas Tree Trust and American Youth Works. Now we are planning annual donations to Operation KidDocs, as well. Should other AAW members and chapters care to support this worthy project, please visit operationkiddocs.org.
—S. Gary Roberts, AAW Honorary Lifetime Member, Texas
