A real-life Christmas elf: Meet Guido, ‘the toy fixer’

Christmas is the busiest time of year for "The Toy Fixer," but the work never truly stops for Guido Pacelli and his helpers. Throughout the year, toys donated to the Salvamamme (Save-Moms) association are carefully inspected by volunteers to determine if they can be repaired. These toys then make their way to Pacelli's workshop, where he works his magic. A retired aviation technician, Pacelli has been a devoted volunteer with Salvamamme for many years. Using his craftsmanship, he has repaired thousands of toys—fixing gears, stitching, and repainting—to bring joy to children and relief to parents who cannot afford expensive gifts. ''At my age, it is not like I can have many dreams anymore. Let's say my dream is to see a child smile," Pacelli said. The latest batch of toys he repaired was distributed at a Christmas event organized by Salvamamme. "There’s so much happiness and joy," said Roxana Sirbu, a mother of two from Moldova, as she received a Christmas aid package. "But the help we receive is also vital. Raising children makes it hard to make ends meet, so this support is fundamental." (Production: Antonio Denti, Veronica Altimari, Oriana Boselli, Gabriele Pileri, Fabiano Franchitti)