ReTurn to the Community Projects

For more than 15 years, AAW members have been active with the ReTurn to the Community program. Woodturners make a difference through action to support charities and innovative projects. They go beyond monetary donations to realize the full potential of projects to enhance and support the mission of AAW. 

Empty Bowls

Each year, AAW members create and donate bowls (and other turned items), which are sold in the Instant Gallery during the national symposium to raise money for a local non-profit in the city hosting the symposium. Large or small, each bowl costs only $25. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the charity chosen by the sponsoring local chapter. More information.

Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage in a nonprofit organization that provides innovative, arts-in-medicine supportive care programs to transform the treatment experience for children coping with serious illness. AAW members create and donate woodturned boxes to non-profit Beads of Courage. Through the Beads of Courage, children receive a unique bead to represent each procedure or treatment in a serious illness. For example, a red bead for each blood transfusion, a yellow bead for each night in the hospital, a star bead for surgery, a white bead for chemotherapy. Their collection of beads becomes a tangible record of their journey. Each turned box will be used to hold a sick child's precious beads. These boxes are on display in the Instant Gallery during the Symposium. More information.