By Khalida Sarwari
Gift-wrapping at the Family Giving Tree’s warehouse in Menlo Park just got a whole lot easier, thanks to Daniel Kufer. To ease the job of volunteers, the 16-year-old Saratoga resident built two free-standing carts that hold 70-pound rolls of gift wrap.
Daniel delivered the carts–one blue and one purple–to the warehouse on Dec. 3, to the delight of Al Galan, program manager at Family Giving Tree, an organization based in Milpitas that fulfills holiday wishes and provides backpacks filled with school supplies to local children in need.
Similar to last year, FGT is anticipating collecting, wrapping and distributing nearly 64,000 gifts with the help of 7,500 volunteers.
“They’re definitely a lot sturdier than the existing design, and easier to use,” said Galan.
The frustration of hoisting a heavy roll of wrapping paper onto a table prior to wrapping gifts is something Daniel, who attends Stanridge Academy in San Mateo, has been familiar with for the past two years that he has volunteered with the organization. After last year’s toy distribution, Daniel decided to do something about it.
Working alongside his mentor, Tom Frangesh, a mechanical engineer and father of a fellow scout, Daniel began sketching designs for a wrapping paper station as part of his Boy Scout Eagle Service project. Then, once he’d collected all the necessary materials, he assembled his own team of volunteers to help him build two carts.
Those volunteers, including fellow Troop 330 members and friends and family members, assembled at five different work parties that each lasted about four hours to help build the carts. They were constantly tweaking the design as they went. After starting in September, they completed both carts before Thanksgiving.
The carts both hold six giant rolls of wrapping paper, three on each side. The top of the carts holds a tray for items such as coffee cups and car keys.
“We call this thinking outside the bench,” said Daniel, alluding to a troop phrase. The point, he said, is not to wait until the last minute to do an Eagle Service project.
“It’s a good accomplishment, and I’m encouraging copycats,” Daniel said.
In January, Daniel will present a proposal about his project before his troop to receive his Eagle Scout honor. Meanwhile, the FGT will continue to accept gifts up until Dec. 23.
“I’m thrilled the way it all came together,” Daniel’s father, Steve Kufer, said. “It really connects Daniel’s volunteer work with Family Giving Tree and helps FGT advance their mission by helping them wrap gifts faster, and it’s great to see Daniel’s ownership of the whole project.”
This year marks FGT’s 23rd year. The organization was started by Jennifer Cullenbine and Todd Yoshida as an MBA class project at San Jose State University. Thus far, the total number of gifts and backpacks they’ve donated is well over 900,000.
For more information about the FGT, visit familygivingtree.org.
