Teen sells woodworking pieces to help the homeless

Three months ago, 16-yearold Henry Sowells didn’t know the first thing about woodworking. Now, the rising junior at a Maryland high school has turned his budding hobby into an act of goodwill with help from his father, David. For every piece of furniture Henry builds and sells to neighbors, he donates all the proceeds to a local nonprofit, Bethesda Cares, which serves those experiencing homelessness in the area.

After four weeks of selling furniture, Henry had raised more than $830 for the nonprofit.

After schools shut down in the Washington region in mid-March because of the growing number of coronavirus cases, David and Henry started a six-week online woodworking course from Steve Ramsey, a YouTube creator who uploads woodworking instructional videos.

Henry sells seven products for a variety of prices — a small bench costs $100, wooden crates are $35, and a patio table is $85. Each item on the website includes a cost breakdown for the parts and how much money would go to Bethesda Cares. Henry said some customers have paid more than the asking price, and he donates any extra money to the nonprofit.

Most of the designs come from the video tutorials, But he also created his own design for a raised planter bed after a request from a customer.

All the pieces can be stained, lacquered or painted, and he also offers to build the same products using other types of wood at an extra cost.

“It’s very satisfying to make stuff for people,” Henry said. “I just enjoy making these products.”