HAYS, Kan. – Most everyone, including children, can relate to SUVs these days, even if they aren’t sure what the acronym stands for.

So volunteers of all ages should have fun building wooden sports utility vehicles at this year’s Fred P. Ruda Teaming Up for Tots (TUFT) at Fort Hays State University.

The event, in its 30th year, is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Center for Applied Technology.

The toy building venture was named in memory of Ruda, longtime chair of the Department of Applied Technology Studies at FHSU, who came up with the idea in 1990.

Volunteers of all ages are eligible to help assemble the toys, which are given to local children – through the TUFT organization – who otherwise might not receive Christmas gifts. Jobs for volunteers include sanding, running parts from station to station, attaching wheels and other parts, and some machine operations for those who have experience.

No RSVP is necessary. Volunteers can show up the day of the event and can come and go as their schedule allows.