All for the love of Lego: Part 2

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/04/2021 (785 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As enamoured as readers may have been with last month’s Lego story, you may have wondered why it ended without my usual ‘feel good finale.’

Here’s the simple explanation. Sometimes I get a little wordy and extend beyond the size of the print space allowed. That’s a no-no in the newspaper biz, which is why you were left dangling sans ending.  I would like to take a moment to complete this community hero story.

As you may recall, I interviewed Scott Templeton, member of a local group of Lego enthusiasts called the Manitoba Lego Users Group or MBLUG. Scott reported that their members continue to thrive despite the restrictions on group activities.

“We participated in some virtual shows such as Ai-Kon and Lego Brick Fair. We have been meeting regularly over Zoom and doing building challenges. Otherwise, we all communicate regularly on Discord, sharing builds, links, sales, and other Lego topics.”

Aside from their obvious fascination with and enjoyment of Lego, this community group reaches beyond the membership.  They have spread the love of building and imagination to youngsters in real need of some distraction.

MBLUG has been donating Lego sets to the Children’s Hospital since 2013.  What a wonderful gift – encouraging children to play amidst their treatments and procedures. I asked Scott just how big an event this is.

“The group has personally donated over 700 sets. This year alone, we set a group record for just over $2,300 worth of new Lego! As a group, we collect sets through the year and put money together to get smaller sized sets that fit on a hospital tray table as these are ideal for the kids.”

I believe this is what Danish toy maker, Ole Kirk Christiansen, envisioned in 1932, when he named his toy company LEg GOdt, which means play well.

I must also clear up the confusion with last month’s photo, which actually featured MBLUG’s hospital donation coordinator, Billy Martens.

If you’re looking for a new indoor pursuit, consider Lego. Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun”.  

Hey, who am I to argue with Einstein?