A beautiful, handcrafted Board table now stands proudly in the Community
Foundation’s new office thanks to the dedication and craftsmanship of the Penticton Men’s Shed group – a tight-knit group of skilled volunteers committed to community and camaraderie.
The table, a collaborative effort involving hundreds of hours of designing, building, sanding, and even the occasional “sanity check,” is more than just a piece of furniture—it’s a testament to the power of shared purpose and “shoulder-to-shoulder” connection.
Originating in Australia over a decade ago to support men’s mental health through hands on work, the Men’s Shed movement has since grown to include 160+ groups across Canada, with around 70 in British Columbia alone.
Penticton’s Men’s Shed started with just seven men and has expanded to a thriving group of over 45 members. Many of them brought decades of trades experience, mentorship, and heart to this special project. Key contributors included Dan Mugridge, Dennis Schmidt, Ron Freisen, Ron Townsend, Jack Boushear, Jason Bloomfield, and Derek Morris, each playing pivotal roles from drafting and 3D modeling to detailed woodworking and finishing.
“Men don’t always talk face-to-face,” Dan shared. “But working side-by-side, we talk shoulder-to-shoulder. That’s how community builds.”
The table’s journey began humbly in one member’s garage and grew into a full-scale operation, made possible through connections facilitated by the Community Foundation. With tools stored in a 40-foot Sea Can and a temporary workspace donated by a local business, the group transformed raw materials, some donated, some commissioned, into a finely detailed piece of craftsmanship.
“We started with a big sheet of plywood, spacing everything carefully to inset the walnut edging,” said Dan, who helped lead the effort. The table was constructed with care, including a process known as “bolding the wood” to protect against veneer chipping. The table’s natural beauty was brought to life with five to six ultra-thin coats of stain, sanded between each layer with 2,000-grit paper.
The team even overcame challenges along the way and solved them without ever compromising on the quality of the final product. “Every project teaches us something new,” Dan reflected. “This one was especially rewarding.”
The Men’s Shed completes 15 to 20 community projects a year, from wine barrel dog beds for Critteraid to marimbas for local schools. This table holds a special place for the group, both for the hours poured into it and the connection it helped strengthen between the Men’s Shed and the Community Foundation.
In addition to paying for materials, the Community Foundation made a financial donation to the Men’s Shed to support their ongoing work.
The Men’s Shed was also invited to present at the most recent 100 Men Who Care Penticton meeting, also organized by the Community Foundation, where they received a $2,000 donation from the 100 Men Who Care members.
The Community Foundation sincerely expresses its gratitude for the Men’s Shed’s
contribution. “We are so proud to display this table in our new board room.” says Aaron McRann, CEO of the Community Foundation. “Thank you to the Men’s Shed. You haven’t just built a table—you’ve built a legacy of craftsmanship, connection, and community spirit.”
The Men’s Shed have outgrown their current workspace and are actively looking for a larger space for their meetings and projects. For more information about their work or to inquire about your project, visit their Facebook page
