Woodchucks – A Brief History

 

In the early 1990’s, a few OHCC residents had the idea that a woodshop and woodworking club would be beneficial to those in the community. Apparently, there was some difficulty in having the plan, and a space, approved.

 

In 1993, the Woodchuck Club was officially chartered. The original equipment, tools, and storage cabinets were donated and built by some of the 35 new members.

 

Only a few of our OHCC residents will remember the original location of the woodshop     …  in our Clubhouse, where the computer room is now located!

 

That Clubhouse shop was crowded, dirty and noisy with sound echoing through the Clubhouse. Nearly everyone, including the Woodchucks, longed to relocate to a more satisfactory space.

 

With the construction of the Maintenance Building, and primarily through the efforts of Bob Mellman, a longtime Woodchuck President, the Woodchucks were granted one bay for the woodshop use. The big move was made about 1999. Since that time, we have been very fortunate to expand into the adjacent bay, which now provides space for all our power tools, dust collection systems, along with bench space for layout and assembly of our projects.

 

Much of the shop usage has always been by members making projects for themselves, their homes, and families. In the early days, and up through the present, there have also been those members who offer their time to design and build items to benefit OHCC, various clubs, and residents.

 

Starting in 2006, Woodchucks have built holiday toys for the enlisted families at Camp Pendleton. This annual donation drive has grown to include the Sewing Club, the Garden Club, the Veterans’ Club. Our OHCC community comes together to support Camp Pendleton with donated toys, gift cards, cash. It is a joyous holiday group effort!

 

Updated, 2022