Alton Thacker, a remarkable Utah man, left an indelible mark on the world through his work with Tiny Tim's Foundation for Kids. His selfless dedication to bringing joy to children around the globe is truly inspiring.

"A Man Who Spent His Life Spreading Joy Through Wooden Toy Cars"

Early Life and Career

Alton Thacker was born and raised in Utah. He embarked on a unique journey by becoming a barber and opening Al's Style Shop. This establishment became a part of his life for nearly 30 years, shaping his character and work ethic.During one of his trips with a longtime barbershop customer, Thacker and his wife Cheryl discovered their love for charity work. Their first trip to Mexico to hand out donated eyeglasses was a turning point, leading them to continue their charitable efforts.

The Birth of Tiny Tim's Foundation

In 1996, Thacker and his wife founded Tiny Tim's Foundation for Kids. This nonprofit organization became a year-round Santa operation, dedicated to making and distributing thousands of wooden toy cars to children in various parts of the world. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and local children's hospitals and homeless shelters, the foundation reached out to those in need.Thacker initially built the toys in his garage, but as the demand grew, volunteers from different walks of life joined the cause. Retirees, people with disabilities, Boy Scouts, and even inmates at Central Utah Correctional Facility contributed to the production of these wooden vehicles.

The Impact and Legacy

To date, Tiny Tim's Foundation has given away more than 1.7 million toy cars in over 110 countries. Each little wooden car became a source of joy for countless children who might otherwise have had no toys at all.Thacker's daughter, Ashley Krause, and granddaughter, Emilee Johnson, took over the foundation in 2022, continuing his legacy. Emilee expressed her deep love and miss for her grandfather, highlighting the incredible impact he had on their lives.Thacker's philosophy of "If you want to be happy, do something for somebody else" became the foundation's motto. His selfless acts brought people together from all walks of life, showing the power of kindness and generosity.Today, Tiny Tim's Foundation remains committed to ensuring that generations to come will continue to benefit from the joy that Alton Thacker started. His 71-year marriage to his wife, his sister Anna Lee Mathews, seven children, 27 grandchildren, and 63 great-grandchildren are a testament to the life he lived and the love he shared.