If you grew up playing with LEGO, you know how much fun and creativity they can spark. Those tiny plastic blocks let us build amazing imaginary worlds with square-shaped people and endless possibilities. But not everyone is lucky enough to have a brand-new set. Charlie Jeffers saw that and decided to spread the joy of LEGO to underprivileged kids, so he started a brilliant project, Pass the Bricks.
Charlie Jeffers was a big fan of LEGO since he was a kid – the toys taught him many things, such as math and foundations of engineering Sustainable Smiles: Teen Uses Old LEGO To Create Unique Sets For Struggling Kids
Charlie was just like any other kid who loved playing with LEGO. He got his first set of colorful bricks when he was 4 or 5 and he was hooked. Now a senior in high school, he thinks that those awesome toys helped him learn math and engineering skills, enhanced his focus, flexibility and boosted his creativity. He still remembers the thrill of exploring and building with LEGO and he wants other kids to feel the same.
But he knows that not every family can afford to buy new sets. He feels sorry for them and he wants to make a difference. And what’s the best way to do that? Be the change you want to see. In 2020, he launched Pass the Bricks. He went around his neighborhood, leaving flyers asking if people had any unused LEGO they would be willing to give away. Come on, we all have a box of random pieces lying around somewhere in our parents’ basement waiting to go to the trash.
By giving new life to old toys, Charlie and his volunteer-based team save a lot of plastic from ending up in the landfill. LEGO, sustainability and making kids smile? Sounds like a perfect project.
Now a senior in high school, the kind-hearted teen realized that not every kid gets to play with these awesome toys
And many toys end up forgotten, buried in the landfill
Charlie wanted to tackle both problems so he created Pass the Bricks – an organization that repurposes old bricks to aid underprivileged kids
Pass the Bricks has an open model program template with four key steps:
- Collect used LEGO bricks;
- Sanitize and sort them;
- Create new sets with the used bricks;
- Deliver the sets to kids in marginalized communities. Charlie and his team use their imagination and humor to create new original sets with the used bricks, such as “Superman Would Love Just One Day To Sleep In Peace” featuring Clark Kent in bed and his suit in the closet, “Antarctic Bathroom” with a grumpy penguin-man, and “Fruit Heist: Stealing The World’s Largest Tomato” that indeed has a very large tomato in the picture.
Once the new LEGO sets are ready, Charlie and his team make sure they get into the hands of kids, either directly or through partnerships with nonprofit groups. Charlie has built strong bonds with several organizations, like multiple chapters of the Boys and Girls Club of America, which helps them reach even more children each month. It’s really making a difference!
Charlie and his volunteer crew have come up with lots of cool LEGO sets with funny names – they’re totally unique!
So far, Pass the Bricks has given out over 3,055 sets to excited kids who can’t wait to start building. Their parents are grateful too.
“We sent our LEGO bricks to Ecuador with my son’s middle school some years back. I love to think of kids there playing with them,” said Paola, one of Charlie’s neighbors who pitched in.
And get this – Charlie is still in high school, juggling his studies and spending his free time helping other kids. He’s got a team of over 20 people working with him now, and Pass the Bricks has expanded to cities like San Francisco, Portland, Austin, DC, Richmond, and Los Angeles. They’re planning to grow even more in the future!
Pass the Bricks has a simple four-step plan to give old toys new life, and they’ve already donated over 3,000 sets to kids in need. They’re really picking up speed!
LEGO has been a big part of Charlie’s life, sparking his creativity and giving him inspiration. He believes every kid should have their own set, and with his help, it’s becoming a reality.
Pass the Bricks has currently donated over 3000 sets to children in need and they are just picking up the pace
If you have old LEGO sets lying around, Charlie has made it easy to donate them. Just follow the simple instructions on his website, and you’ll be spreading happiness to kids in need. Plus, you’ll be helping Charlie achieve his dream of giving every LEGO brick a second chance. Talk about good karma!
Let’s hope Pass the Bricks keeps growing and inspiring others to do the same. After all, toys can bring joy to generations of kids and spark amazing ideas. Who knows, maybe the next big scientist or inventor is building their dreams with a Pass the Bricks set right now!
Did you play with LEGO when you were a kid? What was your favorite set?