Home Care In Alton, UT

ALTON — The population may only be 120 residents, but one small town in southern Utah has made a name for itself with its unique road signs.

Art Andersen moved to Alton, Kane County, after retiring from Kennecott Utah Copper in 1992. To help him make the transition from Salt Lake City to the small town, Andersen said his son-in-law jokingly bought him a custom-made stop sign that read "whoa."

"He says, 'If you are going to move to a little town like Alton, you need a whoa sign,' " Andersen said, laughing.

While Andersen was building his new home in Alton, several of the residents helped him, including the town mayor Orval Palmer. Palmer saw the sign hanging in Andersen's driveway and it sparked his interest.

"He saw it and said, 'Where did you get that?'" Anderson said. "I said, 'Oh, my son-in-law gave it to me.' He says, 'Can you get some more?'"

> Thought I'd share what stopped me in my tracks on a hunt yesterday > > Posted by [Jeff Foxworthy](https://www.facebook.com/iamJeffFoxworthy) on [Wednesday, August 28, 2013](https://www.facebook.com/iamJeffFoxworthy/photos/a.303774076344313.77181.303708153017572/547855971936121/?type=3)

Palmer said he talked to the town council members and they approved an order of custom-made whoa signs to replace the town's stop signs. Because a large majority of the town's industry involves livestock and agriculture, the community felt that the unique signs would be fitting.

"We thought that's pretty cool because Orval was the mayor and he's a cowboy, and so it was kind of the whole twist on it," said Palmer's wife, Gerta.

Six of the signs were installed around Alton in 1994, but within a few years, most of them had been stolen, Palmer said. Local law enforcement officers found a few of the signs in a lake a few miles outside of Alton and attributed the vandalism to residents in nearby towns. Other signs were taken as souvenirs by tourists passing through.

"It wasn't more than about a year or so, and there were only two left," Andersen said. "They kept disappearing. I guess they are kind of a novelty and people think they need them more than we do."

In 1998, several more whoa signs were ordered to replace the ones that had been stolen around town. However, the City Council realized that it wasn't legal to put any of the signs on the main road through Alton because it was designated as a county road. Regular stop signs were posted on Main Street and the rest of the signs remained whoa signs.

"They made a name for Alton," Palmer said.

The town hasn't had any more problems with theft and Gerta Palmer said the whoa signs have been a great addition to their small community.

"It was just fun and people have come and taken pictures," Gerta Palmer said.

"Tourists come and stop and take pictures and they think that's just awesome. It's kind of been a fun thing that's unique to our town."

Faith Heaton Jolley

ALTON — The population may only be 120 residents, but one small town in southern Utah has made a name for itself with its unique road signs.

Art Andersen moved to Alton, Kane County, after retiring from Kennecott Utah Copper in 1992. To help him make the transition from Salt Lake City to the small town, Andersen said his son-in-law jokingly bought him a custom-made stop sign that read "whoa."

"He says, 'If you are going to move to a little town like Alton, you need a whoa sign,' " Andersen said, laughing.

While Andersen was building his new home in Alton, several of the residents helped him, including the town mayor Orval Palmer. Palmer saw the sign hanging in Andersen's driveway and it sparked his interest.

"He saw it and said, 'Where did you get that?'" Anderson said. "I said, 'Oh, my son-in-law gave it to me.' He says, 'Can you get some more?'"

> Thought I'd share what stopped me in my tracks on a hunt yesterday > > Posted by [Jeff Foxworthy](https://www.facebook.com/iamJeffFoxworthy) on [Wednesday, August 28, 2013](https://www.facebook.com/iamJeffFoxworthy/photos/a.303774076344313.77181.303708153017572/547855971936121/?type=3)

Palmer said he talked to the town council members and they approved an order of custom-made whoa signs to replace the town's stop signs. Because a large majority of the town's industry involves livestock and agriculture, the community felt that the unique signs would be fitting.

"We thought that's pretty cool because Orval was the mayor and he's a cowboy, and so it was kind of the whole twist on it," said Palmer's wife, Gerta.

Six of the signs were installed around Alton in 1994, but within a few years, most of them had been stolen, Palmer said. Local law enforcement officers found a few of the signs in a lake a few miles outside of Alton and attributed the vandalism to residents in nearby towns. Other signs were taken as souvenirs by tourists passing through.

"It wasn't more than about a year or so, and there were only two left," Andersen said. "They kept disappearing. I guess they are kind of a novelty and people think they need them more than we do."

In 1998, several more whoa signs were ordered to replace the ones that had been stolen around town. However, the City Council realized that it wasn't legal to put any of the signs on the main road through Alton because it was designated as a county road. Regular stop signs were posted on Main Street and the rest of the signs remained whoa signs.

"They made a name for Alton," Palmer said.

The town hasn't had any more problems with theft and Gerta Palmer said the whoa signs have been a great addition to their small community.

"It was just fun and people have come and taken pictures," Gerta Palmer said.

"Tourists come and stop and take pictures and they think that's just awesome. It's kind of been a fun thing that's unique to our town."

Faith Heaton Jolley

Tennessee football held senior day festivities before the Vanderbilt game on Saturday, as 35 senior players participated.

Notably, senior center Cooper Days, guard Javontez Spraggins, linebacker Keenan Pili and additional starters did not.

So does that mean this is the last game at Neyland Stadium for those 35 seniors? For some, yes. For others, maybe not.

Many seniors have exhausted their eligibility. This is indeed their final home game.

But at least 17 scholarship players and additional walk-on players who are classified as seniors have the option of playing one more season at UT. They have an extra season of eligibility, which the NCAA granted for players who were on the team and eligible during the 2020 COVID season.

UT encourages all seniors to participate in senior day, just in case they don't return in 2024. For example, tight end Jacob Warren took part in senior day in 2022 and then returned this season for a second senior day.

So don't read too much into which players participated in senior day. That being said, it'll spark conversations about their plans. Here's who took part in senior day and who did not.

Seniors who are out of eligibility

Quarterback Joe Milton

Wide receiver Ramel Keyton

Wide receiver Michael Bittner

Tight end Jacob Warren

Tight end McCallan Castles

Offensive lineman Ollie Lane

Offensive tackle Jeremiah Crawford

Defensive end Roman Harrison

Defensive tackle Kurott Garland

Defensive end Austin Lewis

Linebacker Aaron Beasley

Cornerback Kamal Hadden

Safety Jaylen McCollough

Placekicker Charles Campbell

Returner Dee Williams

Long snapper Alton Stephens

Seniors who can return in 2024 if they want

Wide receive Bru McCoy

Running back Jabari Small

Offensive tackle John Campbell

Offensive lineman Parker Ball

Tight end Hunter Salmon

Defensive end Tyler Baron

Defensive tackle Omari Thomas

Defensive tackle Elijah Simmons

Defensive tackle Isaac Green

Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally

Cornerback Brandon Turnage

Cornerback Warren Burrell

Safety Wesley Walker

Linebacker Kwauze Garland

Linebacker Will Albright

Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Braden Krivosh, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Quarterback Gaston Moore, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Wide receiver Jack Jancek, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Seniors who didn't participate in senior day and can return in 2024

Center Cooper Mays (starter)

Offensive guard Javontez Spraggins (starter)

Offensive tackle Dayne Davis

Offensive guard Jackson Lampley

Linebacker Keenan Pili, who could return in 2024 if the NCAA grants him a medical redshirt because of the injury he suffered in the season opener.

Defensive back Tamarion McDonald (starter)

Cornerback Doneiko Slaughter (starter)

Long snapper Matthew Salansky (starter)

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email[email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

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Tennessee football held senior day festivities before the Vanderbilt game on Saturday, as 35 senior players participated.

Notably, senior center Cooper Days, guard Javontez Spraggins, linebacker Keenan Pili and additional starters did not.

So does that mean this is the last game at Neyland Stadium for those 35 seniors? For some, yes. For others, maybe not.

Many seniors have exhausted their eligibility. This is indeed their final home game.

But at least 17 scholarship players and additional walk-on players who are classified as seniors have the option of playing one more season at UT. They have an extra season of eligibility, which the NCAA granted for players who were on the team and eligible during the 2020 COVID season.

UT encourages all seniors to participate in senior day, just in case they don't return in 2024. For example, tight end Jacob Warren took part in senior day in 2022 and then returned this season for a second senior day.

So don't read too much into which players participated in senior day. That being said, it'll spark conversations about their plans. Here's who took part in senior day and who did not.

Seniors who are out of eligibility

Quarterback Joe Milton

Wide receiver Ramel Keyton

Wide receiver Michael Bittner

Tight end Jacob Warren

Tight end McCallan Castles

Offensive lineman Ollie Lane

Offensive tackle Jeremiah Crawford

Defensive end Roman Harrison

Defensive tackle Kurott Garland

Defensive end Austin Lewis

Linebacker Aaron Beasley

Cornerback Kamal Hadden

Safety Jaylen McCollough

Placekicker Charles Campbell

Returner Dee Williams

Long snapper Alton Stephens

Seniors who can return in 2024 if they want

Wide receive Bru McCoy

Running back Jabari Small

Offensive tackle John Campbell

Offensive lineman Parker Ball

Tight end Hunter Salmon

Defensive end Tyler Baron

Defensive tackle Omari Thomas

Defensive tackle Elijah Simmons

Defensive tackle Isaac Green

Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally

Cornerback Brandon Turnage

Cornerback Warren Burrell

Safety Wesley Walker

Linebacker Kwauze Garland

Linebacker Will Albright

Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Braden Krivosh, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Quarterback Gaston Moore, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Wide receiver Jack Jancek, who is listed as a redshirt junior

Seniors who didn't participate in senior day and can return in 2024

Center Cooper Mays (starter)

Offensive guard Javontez Spraggins (starter)

Offensive tackle Dayne Davis

Offensive guard Jackson Lampley

Linebacker Keenan Pili, who could return in 2024 if the NCAA grants him a medical redshirt because of the injury he suffered in the season opener.

Defensive back Tamarion McDonald (starter)

Cornerback Doneiko Slaughter (starter)

Long snapper Matthew Salansky (starter)

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email[email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

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The 2021 NCAA Champions bolstered their roster with national and international talent.

AUSTIN, Texas – Head coach Dave O'Neill and the NCAA National Champion Texas Rowing program announced the signing of nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the class of 2022 on Thursday.

Signees include Alexandria Alton, Chloe Cooper, Abigail Dawson, Isabelle Magee, Ellie Rodriguez, Alexandra Rollins, Katelyn Semien, Marg van der Wal and Amy Werner.

"I'm really excited about this recruiting class, and our future is bright with these future Longhorns," O'Neill said. "Our staff placed an emphasis on character and potential, and I'm impressed with all of them. They may come from across the country and all over the world, but they're heading this way to be the best Texas Teammates possible."

2022 Texas Rowing Recruiting Class

Alexandria Alton Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. High School: Episcopal School of Jacksonville Rowing Team/Club: Episcopal School of Jacksonville Prior to Texas: A 2021 invitee to the USRowing Under 19 National Team Selection Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. … was a projected invitee for USRowing's 2020 U19 Women's selection camp … competed in the 2019 USRowing Youth Regional Challenge as a member of the Southeast women's team … took part in the 2018 U18 Women's High Performance Camp in New London, Conn. … was a two-time team MVP at Episcopal School of Jacksonville (2019-20, 2020-21) … a three-time winner of the school's Hammer Award … also competed in swimming for the Eagles … named swim team captain in 2021.

Chloe Cooper Hometown: Melbourne, Australia High School: St Catherine's School Rowing Team/Club: Melbourne University Boat Club Prior to Texas: Competed in the women's coxed eight for the 2021 Under 19 Australian Rowing Team … rowed with the Melbourne University Boat Club … earned the Annie Anezakis Award for Club Woman of the Year … honored with the Margaret Woodlock Award for outstanding contribution to sport at St Catherine's School … earned the Georgie Gleeson Award for Most Outstanding Oarswomen of the Year … won the Crew of the Year Award in 2019-20 and 2020-21 … was a captain with St Catherine's School.

Abigail Dawson Hometown: London, United Kingdom High School: Chingford Foundation School Rowing Team/Club: Lea Rowing Club Prior to Texas: Won the Year 11 Girls Indoor Rowing Championship in 2019 … earned silver in the WJ18 double at the 2021 British Rowing Junior Championships … took bronze in the girls single at the 2021 National Schools Regatta.

Isabelle Magee Hometown: Oxford, United Kingdom High School: Headington School Rowing Team/Club: Headington School Oxford Boat Club Prior to Texas: Won gold with the junior women's eights at 2021 Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Women's Regatta with the Headington School Oxford Boat Club (HSOBC) … served as a vice captain with the HSOBC.

Ellie Rodriguez Hometown: Dallas, Texas High School: Bishop Lynch High School Rowing Team/Club: Dallas United Crew Prior to Texas: Finished 10th at the 2021 USRowing Youth Nationals Regatta in the Women's Youth Varsity 8+ for while rowing at stroke-seat for Dallas United Crew … won gold at the 2021 USRowing Central Youth Regionals … finished first at the 2019 USRowing Central Youth Regionals … a two-time winner at the Jesuit Southwest Erometer Amateur Tournament (SWEAT) indoor regatta … took first in the freshman division at the 2019 Jesuit SWEAT … won the JH Division at the 2018 Jesuit SWEAT … was a three-year captain at Bishop Lynch High School.

Alexandra Rollins Hometown: Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. High School: Grosse Pointe South High School Rowing Team/Club: Detroit Boat Club Prior to Texas: Won gold in the Women's Open 8+ at the 2021 USRowing Summer Nationals … earned bronze at the 2021 USRowing Summer National Championships in the U23 Women's 8+ … finished third in the U17 Women's 8+ at the 2019 USRowing National Championships … competed in the 2019 USRowing Youth Regional Challenge as a member of the Midwest women's team … placed third in the youth girls division at the 2017 CRASH-B Sprints World Indoor Rowing Championships at Boston University's Agganis Arena … was the team captain in 2021-22 and co-captain in 2020-21.

Katelyn Semien Hometown: Winter Garden, Fla. High School: Windermere High School Rowing Team/Club: Orlando Area Rowing Society Prior to Texas: Earned a bronze medal in the WV8+ at the USRowing Southeast Youth Regionals … competed in the 2019 USRowing Youth Regional Challenge as a member of the Southeast women's team … named the Orlando Area Rowing Society (OARS) Most Valuable Novice in 2019 … was a team captain with the OARS.

Marg van der Wal Hometown: Groningen, The Netherlands High School: Praedinius Gymnasium Rowing Team/Club: KGR De Hunze Prior to Texas: Placed sixth in the single scull at the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championships … finished 16th in the Women's U-19 2000 meter at the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships.

Amy Werner Hometown: St. Davids, Pa. High School: Merion Mercy Academy Rowing Team/Club: Merion Mercy Academy Rowing Prior to Texas: Coxed the Merion Mercy Academy (MMA) Varsity Lightweight Four to victory at the 2021 Stotesbury Cup 2021 with a time of 5:57.29 … helped guide the Golden Bears to silver in the 2021 Philadelphia City Championships … was a team captain at MMA.

The 2021 NCAA Champions bolstered their roster with national and international talent.

AUSTIN, Texas – Head coach Dave O'Neill and the NCAA National Champion Texas Rowing program announced the signing of nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the class of 2022 on Thursday.

Signees include Alexandria Alton, Chloe Cooper, Abigail Dawson, Isabelle Magee, Ellie Rodriguez, Alexandra Rollins, Katelyn Semien, Marg van der Wal and Amy Werner.

"I'm really excited about this recruiting class, and our future is bright with these future Longhorns," O'Neill said. "Our staff placed an emphasis on character and potential, and I'm impressed with all of them. They may come from across the country and all over the world, but they're heading this way to be the best Texas Teammates possible."

2022 Texas Rowing Recruiting Class

Alexandria Alton Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. High School: Episcopal School of Jacksonville Rowing Team/Club: Episcopal School of Jacksonville Prior to Texas: A 2021 invitee to the USRowing Under 19 National Team Selection Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. … was a projected invitee for USRowing's 2020 U19 Women's selection camp … competed in the 2019 USRowing Youth Regional Challenge as a member of the Southeast women's team … took part in the 2018 U18 Women's High Performance Camp in New London, Conn. … was a two-time team MVP at Episcopal School of Jacksonville (2019-20, 2020-21) … a three-time winner of the school's Hammer Award … also competed in swimming for the Eagles … named swim team captain in 2021.

Chloe Cooper Hometown: Melbourne, Australia High School: St Catherine's School Rowing Team/Club: Melbourne University Boat Club Prior to Texas: Competed in the women's coxed eight for the 2021 Under 19 Australian Rowing Team … rowed with the Melbourne University Boat Club … earned the Annie Anezakis Award for Club Woman of the Year … honored with the Margaret Woodlock Award for outstanding contribution to sport at St Catherine's School … earned the Georgie Gleeson Award for Most Outstanding Oarswomen of the Year … won the Crew of the Year Award in 2019-20 and 2020-21 … was a captain with St Catherine's School.

Abigail Dawson Hometown: London, United Kingdom High School: Chingford Foundation School Rowing Team/Club: Lea Rowing Club Prior to Texas: Won the Year 11 Girls Indoor Rowing Championship in 2019 … earned silver in the WJ18 double at the 2021 British Rowing Junior Championships … took bronze in the girls single at the 2021 National Schools Regatta.

Isabelle Magee Hometown: Oxford, United Kingdom High School: Headington School Rowing Team/Club: Headington School Oxford Boat Club Prior to Texas: Won gold with the junior women's eights at 2021 Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Women's Regatta with the Headington School Oxford Boat Club (HSOBC) … served as a vice captain with the HSOBC.

Ellie Rodriguez Hometown: Dallas, Texas High School: Bishop Lynch High School Rowing Team/Club: Dallas United Crew Prior to Texas: Finished 10th at the 2021 USRowing Youth Nationals Regatta in the Women's Youth Varsity 8+ for while rowing at stroke-seat for Dallas United Crew … won gold at the 2021 USRowing Central Youth Regionals … finished first at the 2019 USRowing Central Youth Regionals … a two-time winner at the Jesuit Southwest Erometer Amateur Tournament (SWEAT) indoor regatta … took first in the freshman division at the 2019 Jesuit SWEAT … won the JH Division at the 2018 Jesuit SWEAT … was a three-year captain at Bishop Lynch High School.

Alexandra Rollins Hometown: Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. High School: Grosse Pointe South High School Rowing Team/Club: Detroit Boat Club Prior to Texas: Won gold in the Women's Open 8+ at the 2021 USRowing Summer Nationals … earned bronze at the 2021 USRowing Summer National Championships in the U23 Women's 8+ … finished third in the U17 Women's 8+ at the 2019 USRowing National Championships … competed in the 2019 USRowing Youth Regional Challenge as a member of the Midwest women's team … placed third in the youth girls division at the 2017 CRASH-B Sprints World Indoor Rowing Championships at Boston University's Agganis Arena … was the team captain in 2021-22 and co-captain in 2020-21.

Katelyn Semien Hometown: Winter Garden, Fla. High School: Windermere High School Rowing Team/Club: Orlando Area Rowing Society Prior to Texas: Earned a bronze medal in the WV8+ at the USRowing Southeast Youth Regionals … competed in the 2019 USRowing Youth Regional Challenge as a member of the Southeast women's team … named the Orlando Area Rowing Society (OARS) Most Valuable Novice in 2019 … was a team captain with the OARS.

Marg van der Wal Hometown: Groningen, The Netherlands High School: Praedinius Gymnasium Rowing Team/Club: KGR De Hunze Prior to Texas: Placed sixth in the single scull at the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championships … finished 16th in the Women's U-19 2000 meter at the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships.

Amy Werner Hometown: St. Davids, Pa. High School: Merion Mercy Academy Rowing Team/Club: Merion Mercy Academy Rowing Prior to Texas: Coxed the Merion Mercy Academy (MMA) Varsity Lightweight Four to victory at the 2021 Stotesbury Cup 2021 with a time of 5:57.29 … helped guide the Golden Bears to silver in the 2021 Philadelphia City Championships … was a team captain at MMA.

"There's nothing more rewarding than the reaction you get from handing a toy to a destitute child," Alton Thacker tells PEOPLE

Santa has wheels. Thousands of them, cranked out by hand from throw-away wood scraps, then painted and polished to bring smiles to the faces of kids around the world who may never have owned a toy of any kind, let alone a speedy roadster from Tiny Tim’s Toy Factory in West Jordan, Utah.

“It’s a year-round Santa operation of the merriest kind,” says Alton Thacker, 82, who started his toy workshop and foundation in 2002 and now gives away more than 85,000 cars a year to children from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe in addition to needy kids at children’s hospitals and homeless shelters in his own community.

“Basically, we’ll give cars to anyone who wants them, especially if they’re going on an overseas trip and have room to tuck a few into their suitcases,” Thacker, a retired barber, tells PEOPLE. “There’s nothing more rewarding than the reaction you get from handing a toy to a destitute child. It’s addicting.”

Indeed, those who volunteer at Tiny Tim’s factory (named after an impoverished, disabled boy encountered by Thacker during a trip to Mexico in the late 1990s), feel the same way.

“I can’t thank Alton enough for giving me the opportunity,” Jim Turnbull, 71, of West Valley City, Utah, tells PEOPLE. One of 25 regular volunteers (another 300 show up on a sporadic basis), working eight hours a day, three days a week, “It’s an honor to be a Santa’s elf,” he says. “I took a bunch of cars to China once and handed them out everywhere I went. Seeing those smiles is the best part of any vacation.”

Thacker also gets a lot of help from his wife, Cheryl, 82, who pitches in to run the band saw and put wheels on cars before they’re sent to the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, where inmates paint about 3,000 toys a month in bright shades of purple, red, pink, yellow and blue.

“I can pretty much run any of the equipment as Mrs. Claus,” she says, “but the best part is sharing a little bit of Christmas spirit, year-round. Kids enjoy getting our cars in July just as much as they do in December. We’ve sent more than 60,000 of them to Zimbabwe through a group called Eyes for Zimbabwe to bring some joy to the lives of kids who have nothing.”

Former high school classmates who met while growing up in Duchesne, Utah, in 1953, the Thackers developed a love for charity work 32 years ago, when they made their first trip to Mexico with one of Alton’s longtime barbershop customers to hand out donated eyeglasses.

“Every day, somebody would stand up and shout, ‘I can see!'” recalls Alton. “We knew that we had to keep going back.”

Their annual expeditions soon morphed into Santa excursions, with the Thackers filling a trailer 10 times a year with toys, clothing, school desks, wheelchairs and medical supplies and delivering them to the impoverished town of Casas Grandes. Then when drug cartels made the trips too dangerous, Alton came up with the idea for Tiny Tim’s Toy Factory.

“For too many kids, one of our little wooden cars is the only toy they’ll ever get,” Alton tells PEOPLE, “and that’s what keeps me going. I’m told that the need for toys around the world is more than 500 million. Can you imagine that? Five hundred million! So it looks like we’ve got a little work to do at Tiny Tim’s to keep up.”

"There's nothing more rewarding than the reaction you get from handing a toy to a destitute child," Alton Thacker tells PEOPLE

Santa has wheels. Thousands of them, cranked out by hand from throw-away wood scraps, then painted and polished to bring smiles to the faces of kids around the world who may never have owned a toy of any kind, let alone a speedy roadster from Tiny Tim’s Toy Factory in West Jordan, Utah.

“It’s a year-round Santa operation of the merriest kind,” says Alton Thacker, 82, who started his toy workshop and foundation in 2002 and now gives away more than 85,000 cars a year to children from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe in addition to needy kids at children’s hospitals and homeless shelters in his own community.

“Basically, we’ll give cars to anyone who wants them, especially if they’re going on an overseas trip and have room to tuck a few into their suitcases,” Thacker, a retired barber, tells PEOPLE. “There’s nothing more rewarding than the reaction you get from handing a toy to a destitute child. It’s addicting.”

Indeed, those who volunteer at Tiny Tim’s factory (named after an impoverished, disabled boy encountered by Thacker during a trip to Mexico in the late 1990s), feel the same way.

“I can’t thank Alton enough for giving me the opportunity,” Jim Turnbull, 71, of West Valley City, Utah, tells PEOPLE. One of 25 regular volunteers (another 300 show up on a sporadic basis), working eight hours a day, three days a week, “It’s an honor to be a Santa’s elf,” he says. “I took a bunch of cars to China once and handed them out everywhere I went. Seeing those smiles is the best part of any vacation.”

Thacker also gets a lot of help from his wife, Cheryl, 82, who pitches in to run the band saw and put wheels on cars before they’re sent to the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, where inmates paint about 3,000 toys a month in bright shades of purple, red, pink, yellow and blue.

“I can pretty much run any of the equipment as Mrs. Claus,” she says, “but the best part is sharing a little bit of Christmas spirit, year-round. Kids enjoy getting our cars in July just as much as they do in December. We’ve sent more than 60,000 of them to Zimbabwe through a group called Eyes for Zimbabwe to bring some joy to the lives of kids who have nothing.”

Former high school classmates who met while growing up in Duchesne, Utah, in 1953, the Thackers developed a love for charity work 32 years ago, when they made their first trip to Mexico with one of Alton’s longtime barbershop customers to hand out donated eyeglasses.

“Every day, somebody would stand up and shout, ‘I can see!'” recalls Alton. “We knew that we had to keep going back.”

Their annual expeditions soon morphed into Santa excursions, with the Thackers filling a trailer 10 times a year with toys, clothing, school desks, wheelchairs and medical supplies and delivering them to the impoverished town of Casas Grandes. Then when drug cartels made the trips too dangerous, Alton came up with the idea for Tiny Tim’s Toy Factory.

“For too many kids, one of our little wooden cars is the only toy they’ll ever get,” Alton tells PEOPLE, “and that’s what keeps me going. I’m told that the need for toys around the world is more than 500 million. Can you imagine that? Five hundred million! So it looks like we’ve got a little work to do at Tiny Tim’s to keep up.”

If you need some spice on this Saturday night, former Tennessee receiver Pig Howard just delivered some. Howard went on a Twitter rant this afternoon, airing out some issues with his former head coach Butch Jones.

He began with a story from his NFL days, where he signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent. Former Tennessee receivers coach Zach Azzanni was the receivers coach in Chicago at the time, which was the obvious link that got him a chance to play for the Bears. Apparently, Butch Jones wasn’t thrilled with Pig getting the opportunity, which seems odd.

Now everything makes since! Teams say they tried reaching out but never got in contact with me. Shame on you coach Butch Jones.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

I gave them all my infomation during proday. #FunFact after I got signed to the bears and reunited with my former Wr coach from Tennessee coach Z. We met early before special tee during camp to go over some plays and out of no where coach jones sent him a text

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Being negative and Mad about coach Z bringing me in. Coach Z clearly stated I’m giving him 2nd chance what do u think I’m doing? It was clear after that happen that I was black balled by Coach Jones who had my future in his hands. When it came to #JHurd I was the 1st victim.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

I been playing sports since I was 7 years old! I was A under-armor All American As well. If you know what its like playing high school football that’s not an easily accomplishment. I worked for everything including a scholarship to Tennessee. We all make mistakes, I can own up

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Howard was dismissed during his senior season. Apparently he feels like there’s more to tell on that story.

To that but that wasn’t the reason for my release it was to cover up from the truth. My Own teammates didn’t even know what was going on. They only knew what they was being told. Believe it a lot he turned some brothers against me and some of us still ??

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

He went on to tell a story about his recruitment, where he was recruited by Jones during his time at Cincinnati.

If u peep the Coaches changes before Butch last season which ended with him being fired, and every one above him resigning. That speaks volume. No one is more powerful then #God you can’t stop what’s manifest.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Me and Coach Jones Met when he was The Head Coach at Cincinnati, I was on a Official visit there. We Both Sat down in his office and he did everything he could to get me to commit, but I didn’t a few others did. One thing I can say is coach Jones really knows how to recruit! I’m

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Not knocking it that’s why I had them in my Top 5. Out of all my offers they good at what they do, but something was off, so I didn’t commit. Once he Got to Tennessee I thought we was cool but time reveals character. I played cause my talent not we was pals.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Howard finished his Tennessee career with 1,014 yards receiving. He made his biggest impact in 2014 as a junior, catching 54 passes for over 600 yards.

He’s just the latest to come forward with Butch Jones frustrations. Jalen Hurd aired his issues out in 2018, telling Bleacher Report why he left Tennessee. Chris Weatherd talked through some issues in an interview earlier this year. There were clearly issues in that locker room, as further evidenced by the bizarre Shy Tuttle situation in 2017.

Jones remains at Alabama working under Nick Saban, now with the title of special assistant to the head coach. He’s been connected to a few other jobs during his time in Tuscaloosa, but nothing has come together for him just yet.

Stories like this one from Howard won’t help Jones’ case.

If you need some spice on this Saturday night, former Tennessee receiver Pig Howard just delivered some. Howard went on a Twitter rant this afternoon, airing out some issues with his former head coach Butch Jones.

He began with a story from his NFL days, where he signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent. Former Tennessee receivers coach Zach Azzanni was the receivers coach in Chicago at the time, which was the obvious link that got him a chance to play for the Bears. Apparently, Butch Jones wasn’t thrilled with Pig getting the opportunity, which seems odd.

Now everything makes since! Teams say they tried reaching out but never got in contact with me. Shame on you coach Butch Jones.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

I gave them all my infomation during proday. #FunFact after I got signed to the bears and reunited with my former Wr coach from Tennessee coach Z. We met early before special tee during camp to go over some plays and out of no where coach jones sent him a text

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Being negative and Mad about coach Z bringing me in. Coach Z clearly stated I’m giving him 2nd chance what do u think I’m doing? It was clear after that happen that I was black balled by Coach Jones who had my future in his hands. When it came to #JHurd I was the 1st victim.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

I been playing sports since I was 7 years old! I was A under-armor All American As well. If you know what its like playing high school football that’s not an easily accomplishment. I worked for everything including a scholarship to Tennessee. We all make mistakes, I can own up

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Howard was dismissed during his senior season. Apparently he feels like there’s more to tell on that story.

To that but that wasn’t the reason for my release it was to cover up from the truth. My Own teammates didn’t even know what was going on. They only knew what they was being told. Believe it a lot he turned some brothers against me and some of us still ??

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

He went on to tell a story about his recruitment, where he was recruited by Jones during his time at Cincinnati.

If u peep the Coaches changes before Butch last season which ended with him being fired, and every one above him resigning. That speaks volume. No one is more powerful then #God you can’t stop what’s manifest.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Me and Coach Jones Met when he was The Head Coach at Cincinnati, I was on a Official visit there. We Both Sat down in his office and he did everything he could to get me to commit, but I didn’t a few others did. One thing I can say is coach Jones really knows how to recruit! I’m

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Not knocking it that’s why I had them in my Top 5. Out of all my offers they good at what they do, but something was off, so I didn’t commit. Once he Got to Tennessee I thought we was cool but time reveals character. I played cause my talent not we was pals.

— Alton Pig Howard (@Hunnit0nmyway_2) September 12, 2020

Howard finished his Tennessee career with 1,014 yards receiving. He made his biggest impact in 2014 as a junior, catching 54 passes for over 600 yards.

He’s just the latest to come forward with Butch Jones frustrations. Jalen Hurd aired his issues out in 2018, telling Bleacher Report why he left Tennessee. Chris Weatherd talked through some issues in an interview earlier this year. There were clearly issues in that locker room, as further evidenced by the bizarre Shy Tuttle situation in 2017.

Jones remains at Alabama working under Nick Saban, now with the title of special assistant to the head coach. He’s been connected to a few other jobs during his time in Tuscaloosa, but nothing has come together for him just yet.

Stories like this one from Howard won’t help Jones’ case.