GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and one Grand Rapids store is fundraising for the cause in a creative way.
Bricks and Minifigs, which sells all things LEGO, is hosting their "Building for Hope" event next weekend. The community build-a-thon is asking participants to create anything with a superhero theme.
But Building for Hope isn't just about building with LEGO bricks—all funds raised will go to the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital to support childhood cancer research.
Julia Petersen, owner of Bricks and Minifigs, said she's hoping the fundraiser brings the community together for a good cause. She said the store hosts building events regularly—sometimes with a theme, and other times open to any kind of creation.
"We were just thinking what we could do in September to have a fun build day. We love inviting people to the store for build days, but also to do some good with it," Petersen said. "And since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, it seemed like a natural fit for us to do some fundraising around that."
Building for Hope isn't just for children or families. Petersen said more adults have become interested in LEGO, and that all are welcome to participate.
"The pandemic made a huge impact on people realizing just how fun it can be to build a LEGO set, and LEGO has the adults welcome campaign with lots of great collectibles," she said. "So this event that we're doing is also really for any age group."
The store will have everything you need to build the superhero creation of your dreams. Petersen said they have thousands of minifigs, or minifigures, and any LEGO piece you need will be available.
Bricks & Minifigs also gives shoppers a chance to see LEGO sets already built, to rebuild something new or pick out a new set.
"It's all about rebuild, reuse and reimagine for us," Petersen said.
The event is Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be prizes up for grabs and you can take your build home with you. To learn more and buy your ticket, click here.