In a year filled with challenges, the LEGO Group’s Build to Give initiative inspired individuals worldwide to build hearts and share them on social media or LEGO Life using the hashtag #BuildtoGive during the month of December. For every heart shared, the LEGO Group would donate a LEGO set to a child in need of play.

Since its inception in 2017, the #BuildToGive initiative has successfully donated more than 6.5 million LEGO sets. These sets are distributed through the LEGO Group’s network of local charity partners in 24 countries, making a significant difference in the lives of children facing adversity.

My contribution for this year’s #buildtogive initiative.

Inspired by the spirit of the initiative, the Philippine LEGO Users Group (PhLUG) found a heartwarming way to celebrate Christmas. We received an invitation to join the festivities at Mano Amiga Academy, a school dedicated to children from low-income families. The academy’s annual Christmas program, aptly named “Christmas Around the World,” transforms the entire school into different countries, providing students with a unique opportunity to experience diverse cultures and Christmas traditions.

PHLUG Volunteers at the Mano Amiga Academy Christmas Around the World 2023 representing Denmark. Photo by Allen Pangan.

Representing Denmark, PhLUG volunteers engaged the children in various activities, attempting to teach them how to say “Merry Christmas” in Danish (glædelig jul) and sharing insights into Danish Christmas customs.

For the building activity, the children were split into groups and tasked to build a Christmas tree, a candy cane, and an ornament using LEGO bricks. Witnessing the children express their creativity through these colorful blocks was truly amazing. My favorite build was by a 4th grader named Adam who built a striped candy cane with mostly 2x4 bricks.

The kids’ favorite part of the program was the gift-giving. PhLUG and its members donated unopened sets to give away. Some members (especially those abroad) donated cash, which then made my dream come true: splurging at the LEGO store with somebody else’s money and giving everything away.

For the first time ever, my little car was filled from top to bottom with LEGO, resulting in the collection of 80 sets – enough to ensure that each child from grades 3 to 6 (along with their teachers) received a gift. The best moment of my day was when a little girl, upon receiving the biggest City set from the pile, hugged her set and said, “Oh, my brother will be so happy!” Ack, my heart! Ninjas cutting onions were definitely in that room.

80 sets from PHLUG and its members. There were lots of happy squeals when the kids found out the sets were theirs to bring home.

The price of LEGO, often considered a luxury, is significantly beyond the means of average families in a third-world country like the Philippines. Being able to gift LEGO sets as Christmas presents to numerous children felt like a true blessing.

Christmas Around the World at Mano Amiga Academy! As the children left the room, we stamped their “Passports” with the lego minifigure stamp, hand carved by volunteers.

As the year drew to a close, I found myself more of a Grinch than Julemanden (Father Christmas from Danish culture). But the simple joy and boundless creativity that these bricks brought to the children helped me find my own Christmas spirit. In those moments of shared laughter, imaginative play, and the warmth of generosity, the difficulties of the year faded away, leaving behind a lasting reminder that, even in the face of adversity, the spirit of Christmas can prevail through simple acts of kindness.

6th graders building together with teacher Josiah.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Did you participate in LEGO’s Build to Give initiative this year? How did you celebrate Christmas? Let us know in the comments below.

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