Pens for Troops

One of the missions of the Woodworkers of Central New York is to contribute to the community in which we live, practice our craft, and enjoy. Supporting the men and women who protect us through their service in the United States Military is one of our worthy projects. How do we do it? By participating in the annual Turn for Troops program sponsored by Woodcraft.
There is no Woodcraft store in Syracuse so individual members turn groups of pens in their shops. Sometimes the club sponsors a weekend workshop for members to turn their pens in a group setting. Woodcraft generously donates the pen kits and wood, sending them to our club coordinators, Larry Prunotto and Ted Kleege. They package and distribute the materials for members spread out throughout Central New York.
Participation in this program over the years is steady. Since we started in the program in 2014, our group donated 2083 pens. For 2021, 10 pen kits were allocated to a new turning program at a local veterans-support organization called Clear Path for Veterans. The pens were turned and kept by the veterans themselves. This program will continue into the future.

YEAR	Members Participating	Number of Pens Donated
2014	23	170
2015	15	150
2016	19	185
2017	23	260
2018	25	300
2019	23	316
2020	26	379
2021	23	323*
	*Total to Date After 8 Years*	2083

* Ten of our pens allocated allocated for 2021 were donated to a turning program at Clear Path for Veterans where the veterans themselves turned the pens and then kept the pens rather than shipping back to Woodcraft. Also, two pens "blew out" during production.

Thanks to Woodcraft for their photos used to enhance this webpage

How Is A Pen Created?

Pen kits and wood are secured.

Wood blanks are cut to size based on the tubes in the kit.

Ends of blanks are marked to insure wood grains match.

Blanks are drilled to size based on the tubes. Tubes are then glued into each blank.

Prepared blanks are mounted onto mandrel and turned.

Pen is assembled using components in the kit.

Pens Turned by Members in 2021

Mike Vecellio Group 1

Mike Vecellio Group 2

Ted Kleege - 1st 30

Ted Kleege - Another 10

Brad Rees

Mason Hallenbeck

Robert Love

Bruce Meissner

Jim Yonkers

Rick Kiehl

Larry Prunotto

Art Giverson

Steve Sabella

Dave Grant

Doug North

Bob Randall

John Petzke

Kerry Kopky

Pens Turned by the "Crew" Demonstrating at the Manlius Historical Society Craft Show on November 5-6
Crew: Dave Grant, Jon Haney, Ted Kleege, Charlie LaPrease, Doug North, & Brad Rees