Greetings geeky Fold!
Did you have a favorite toy when you were a kid? Do you remember the joy it brought you? David Bledsoe, the founder of Collectors Care, does. I was happy to get to ask him some questions about his new charity. It went something like this…
Q: What is Collector’s Care?
A: Collectors Care is a nonprofit that works year-round to provide toys for needy and sick kids. Right now we’re working with a growing number of social service agencies helping the homeless and children undergoing medical treatments. Very soon, we’ll also begin doing character appearances in costume for these same kids.
Q: Why did you start this charity? What did you see that made you want to help these children?
A: As a lifelong collector and fan of science fiction, comics and movies, the characters and stories I grew up with stoked my imagination, inspired me to greater things and helped me overcome hardships in my own life. The children we serve face far greater struggles, and I wanted to be sure they had access to a new toy that could help lift them above their circumstances.
Q: Why create a charity around collectors in particular?
A: The great ownership and appreciation that fans have for their favorite stories and characters gives them a unique understanding of the impact a toy can have in a child’s life. They want to share that excitement and love for their favorite things – passing it on to the next generation.
Q: What’s one toy that you remember from your childhood? Are these the types of memories that you hope to instill?
A: This a question we ask prospective supporters. Regardless of who they are, everyone has an answer, and its one of the ways we illustrate the connection of a special toy throughout someone’s life. I had an electronic Han Solo pistol that was by my side for years as a kid. It might have seemed like an insignificant purchase for my mom and dad, but kids place a different importance on these things because they’re a larger part of their world. This is the role we hope to fill in the lives of our clients.
Q: What has the feedback been like from collectors and at the conventions that you’ve attended?
A: Collectors do care! and it’s been great! Everyone we talk to loves the concept, and we’ve recruited a lot of supporters and donors at the events we’ve attended. We’re hoping to attend many more conventions and fan events this year, and eventually begin hosting our own events.
Q: Have you given any toys away yet?
A: After operating for less than two months, we’ve already given away almost $1,000 in new toys. We’re currently working with 8 social service agencies in Tampa and Denver, and will soon be providing services in Miami, Orlando, Birmingham and Atlanta as well. The agencies we work with are focused on providing basic needs like health care, food and housing, so our partnership allows them to meet another need for the kids in their care without losing focus or resources.
Q: How can people get involved?
A: A great group of supporters that have brought us this far, but we’re just getting started and hope to connect with many more. Anyone that’s interested can visit our website at www.collectorscare.org and learn more about our mission and needs. We’re looking for event volunteers, advertising support, toy donations, monetary donations and any other kind of assistance to raise awareness in the collector community and help more kids.
Well, nerds, you heard the man! Get to giving!
-bman
PS. You can check out Collectors Care on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ as well!