What is the Brick Angels Program?
The Brick Angels Program Goal: To spread the fun, creativity and joy of building with Lego; improving lives by sending recipients kind words in a personalized card, along with a Free Lego Set with Building Instructions.
We believe that everyone could use a little more kindness, fun and creativity in their life!
Millions of Lego Fans everywhere know it: Lego isn't just a toy, and it isn't just for kids - it's an INCREDIBLE thing that can change lives. Lego is a medium that can be used to build ANYTHING. From a small toy car, to a massive mosaic wall of art - there are endless possibilities. By sending Lego to someone who could use a little joy in their lives, we hope to inspire creativity, and encourage our mantra of Pay-It-Forward.
Many of us in the Adult Lego Fan Community (often referred to as AFOLs - Adult Fans of Lego) - have experienced a profound thing when we got back into Lego as adults.... Lego isn't JUST a hobby; for many of us, Lego is how we battle depression, cope with anxiety, escape from the pressures and challenges of our jobs, or escape from the pressure of life in this ever-changing, fast-paced world. There are Lego groups all over the internet - like the Facebook group Lego Saved My Life - where the stories of members really show just how much Lego means to many of us.
We want to spread the joy that comes from putting together these little bricks, from building new and interesting things, from challenging ourselves both physically and creatively - by spreading that feeling to people who may not have experienced the joy of building with Lego before. That's why we created the Brick Angels Program.
We'd love it if you'd join us, and Become a Brick Angels Member - or to Apply for a Brick Angels Project!
We believe that everyone could use a little more kindness, fun and creativity in their life!
Millions of Lego Fans everywhere know it: Lego isn't just a toy, and it isn't just for kids - it's an INCREDIBLE thing that can change lives. Lego is a medium that can be used to build ANYTHING. From a small toy car, to a massive mosaic wall of art - there are endless possibilities. By sending Lego to someone who could use a little joy in their lives, we hope to inspire creativity, and encourage our mantra of Pay-It-Forward.
Many of us in the Adult Lego Fan Community (often referred to as AFOLs - Adult Fans of Lego) - have experienced a profound thing when we got back into Lego as adults.... Lego isn't JUST a hobby; for many of us, Lego is how we battle depression, cope with anxiety, escape from the pressures and challenges of our jobs, or escape from the pressure of life in this ever-changing, fast-paced world. There are Lego groups all over the internet - like the Facebook group Lego Saved My Life - where the stories of members really show just how much Lego means to many of us.
We want to spread the joy that comes from putting together these little bricks, from building new and interesting things, from challenging ourselves both physically and creatively - by spreading that feeling to people who may not have experienced the joy of building with Lego before. That's why we created the Brick Angels Program.
We'd love it if you'd join us, and Become a Brick Angels Member - or to Apply for a Brick Angels Project!
Here's the Step-By-Step of how Brick Angels helps those in need:
First: Volunteers design small custom Lego sets - including the instructions, using Lego Digital Designer (a free program that allows you to virtually design Lego sets with all the pieces that exist in the real world, digitally right at your finger tips.)
(Want to see your set built and produced to be given to kids and adults in need? Email your LDD file to us at [email protected])
Sets designed must be less than 350 pieces, and must be designed with common bricks/colors. We reserve the right to make alterations to your set design to make them more possible to produce.
Second: We receive and review requests from groups who would benefit from receiving these free small builds. (Who qualifies to receive a free Brick Angels Lego build? Learn more here: Applying for Free Custom-Designed Lego Sets from Brick Angels)
Third: We review set designs and choose sets that will meet the needs of the recipients. We take into consideration the number of sets requested, the age / abilities of those
(Know a group that would benefit from free Lego sets? You can fill out an application here: Brick Angels Applications)
Fourth: We post a list of the Lego Bricks necessary to be able to package and ship out the sets that are needed on the Brick Angels Project Page
Fifth: Volunteers contribute to the project. Donations needed to each complete the project include:
- The necessary inventory of Lego Bricks to put together the number of sets needed.
- Funds to cover the cost of shipping the sets to the Brick Angels recipient(s). At times, funds may be used to purchase bricks necessary to complete the project if the bricks needed have not been donated in time to complete the project. Each project will have 4-8 weeks to collect.
- Well-Wishes (Digital or Post-Cards will be accepted. Volunteers can write a few words to encourage the recipients of the current project)
Sixth: Once all the necessary funds/bricks are received - we share that the inventory has been met, and volunteers put together the custom Lego set packages and they are sent to the recipients! The sets are delivered to the recipients by mail, completely free of charge!
Who are Brick Angels Projects given to?
Let's be clear: Lego isn't just for kids!
Like puzzles, video games, coloring books & crafts - We believe that Lego is a fantastic and fun thing that should be accessible to EVERYONE.
There are millions of people that may not even KNOW that they would benefit from receiving a small, fun gift like a custom Lego set.
We're always open to receiving requests from anyone- on behalf of an organize group, or just to make a request on behalf of any "group". Here are just a few ideas we've been sent for groups that would benefit from receiving a custom Lego set:
We want to give our Custom Lego Sets to people in need - not just people struggling financially (because Lego is a hobby that can be prohibitively expensive), but also to anyone who could use some joy, happiness, kindness and creativity to brighten their lives. Our mission involves encouraging SHARING creativity, happiness, kindness and most importantly - FUN - by giving our recipients a hands-on project that will brighten their day, and encourage them to use their hands and their mind on a fun, educational and satisfying small project.
Like puzzles, video games, coloring books & crafts - We believe that Lego is a fantastic and fun thing that should be accessible to EVERYONE.
There are millions of people that may not even KNOW that they would benefit from receiving a small, fun gift like a custom Lego set.
We're always open to receiving requests from anyone- on behalf of an organize group, or just to make a request on behalf of any "group". Here are just a few ideas we've been sent for groups that would benefit from receiving a custom Lego set:
- Senior citizens who may be looking for a new hobby
- Children and adults living in assisted living homes
- Home-bound children & adults suffering with chronic conditions/chronic pain
- Anyone in long-term hospitalization
- Patients recovering from stroke, brain injury or physical injury that affects manual dexterity
- Students in impoverished communities
- and SO MANY MORE.
To suggest a new Project - or recommend a group of people who would benefit from an upcoming project - please APPLY HERE
There is NO COST to make a Project suggestion or to apply for a new project - so please - reach out today!
We want to give our Custom Lego Sets to people in need - not just people struggling financially (because Lego is a hobby that can be prohibitively expensive), but also to anyone who could use some joy, happiness, kindness and creativity to brighten their lives. Our mission involves encouraging SHARING creativity, happiness, kindness and most importantly - FUN - by giving our recipients a hands-on project that will brighten their day, and encourage them to use their hands and their mind on a fun, educational and satisfying small project.
The 3 Parts of the Brick Angels Program:
- To encourage volunteers Lego fans to design CUSTOM Lego sets - with instructions, which will be given to people in need to brighten their life with through the gift of Lego.
- To encourage anyone with Lego at home to donate bricks so we can create & send FREE Lego sets to People in Need - FREE OF COST.
- To reward those who Donate Lego - to encourage them to continue participating.
Our Custom Lego Set Designs
The Lego "sets" we send to recipients are not traditional Lego Sets. They are custom designs - often specifically designed with the recipient in mind. After the sets are designed, we will post and share the NEEDED PARTS list on our social media, our website, and it will be sent to our Brick Angels.
We will post the parts list along and the schedule for collection. During that time - we welcome anyone to become a Brick Angel, and to donate whatever parts we need, that they might have.
You can check the Project Page regularly, to see how close we are to having enough bricks to send out the sets!
An Example of one of our Custom Set Designs
We are currently working on a Lego set design of a Lego Zebra to be given to adults living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome are referred to as "Zebras" in the Medical Community - a callback to a saying often taught to medical students;
"When you hear hoofbeats; Think horses, not zebras."
The saying is meant to teach medical students that when diagnosing patients, they should look at the most common causes of a symptom, and to work under the assumption that those common causes are USUALLY going to be the answer to explaining a patient's symptoms. Unfortunately - for those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, just the opposite is true. Many of their symptoms are common; frequent headaches, dizziness, rashes, chronic joint pain, muscle soreness, joint dislocations, blurry vision, urinary and GI symptoms, focus & attention issues, insomnia (and many MANY more).
As a result of doctors often attributing their common symptoms to common causes- their diagnosis is often a LONG and complicated one. Even worse - it's especially frustrating to establish pain management in the current climate, where chronic pain patients are being rejected and turned away because of the rampant opiod abuse - patients with EDS are at risk of being left with no treatment, which has caused a serious rise in patient depression, and even worse, an increase in suicides. It's a very serious problem.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetic connective tissue disorder, once thought to be a RARE disease - now known to be MUCH more common than was originally thought. Unfortunately, in the case of the most common TYPE of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (Hypermobility type - Type 3) - the gene responsible for Type 3 is still unknown, and therefor, can not be tested for. The creator of the Brick Angels Program, Kristie Evans, and her son Kaedin, are both affected by this painful condition - and so it was a natural place to start.
Our goal is to design two separate sets for EDS Patients to choose from:
A Lego Zebra
or
A black-and-white Zebra themed race car.
Each Custom set will come with a minifigure that looks like / represents that patient. The sets will be available to anyone affected by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, ages 6+. (We are working on a later Duplo project for young kids with EDS)
We will post the parts list along and the schedule for collection. During that time - we welcome anyone to become a Brick Angel, and to donate whatever parts we need, that they might have.
You can check the Project Page regularly, to see how close we are to having enough bricks to send out the sets!
An Example of one of our Custom Set Designs
We are currently working on a Lego set design of a Lego Zebra to be given to adults living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome are referred to as "Zebras" in the Medical Community - a callback to a saying often taught to medical students;
"When you hear hoofbeats; Think horses, not zebras."
The saying is meant to teach medical students that when diagnosing patients, they should look at the most common causes of a symptom, and to work under the assumption that those common causes are USUALLY going to be the answer to explaining a patient's symptoms. Unfortunately - for those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, just the opposite is true. Many of their symptoms are common; frequent headaches, dizziness, rashes, chronic joint pain, muscle soreness, joint dislocations, blurry vision, urinary and GI symptoms, focus & attention issues, insomnia (and many MANY more).
As a result of doctors often attributing their common symptoms to common causes- their diagnosis is often a LONG and complicated one. Even worse - it's especially frustrating to establish pain management in the current climate, where chronic pain patients are being rejected and turned away because of the rampant opiod abuse - patients with EDS are at risk of being left with no treatment, which has caused a serious rise in patient depression, and even worse, an increase in suicides. It's a very serious problem.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetic connective tissue disorder, once thought to be a RARE disease - now known to be MUCH more common than was originally thought. Unfortunately, in the case of the most common TYPE of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (Hypermobility type - Type 3) - the gene responsible for Type 3 is still unknown, and therefor, can not be tested for. The creator of the Brick Angels Program, Kristie Evans, and her son Kaedin, are both affected by this painful condition - and so it was a natural place to start.
Our goal is to design two separate sets for EDS Patients to choose from:
A Lego Zebra
or
A black-and-white Zebra themed race car.
Each Custom set will come with a minifigure that looks like / represents that patient. The sets will be available to anyone affected by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, ages 6+. (We are working on a later Duplo project for young kids with EDS)
We need Volunteer Set Designers!
Interested in designing a set for us?- please reach out.
We are currently looking for volunteers - to design small vehicles, scenes, buildings, etc - sets anywhere from 50 to 400 pieces.
The Lego Digital Designer program is FREE to download and use, and provides step by step building instructions for the set you design. If you'd like to design a set for us - please reach out. We'd love to hear from you!
We are CURRENTLY looking for these Lego Set Designs of 50 - 300 bricks:
We are currently looking for volunteers - to design small vehicles, scenes, buildings, etc - sets anywhere from 50 to 400 pieces.
The Lego Digital Designer program is FREE to download and use, and provides step by step building instructions for the set you design. If you'd like to design a set for us - please reach out. We'd love to hear from you!
We are CURRENTLY looking for these Lego Set Designs of 50 - 300 bricks:
- A Black and White Racecar (For kids living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome)
- A Zebra (For adults living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome)
How do we send Free Lego Sets to people in Need?
We accept applications from groups - and occasionally from individuals, to decide on our upcoming projects. You can find out more information about how we select who we send Lego to on the Application Page.
Once we have started a new Project - we post information about that Project on our social media pages - here on the website, and we contact our Brick Angels Mailing List.
Once the Project is posted - you can see the list of the bricks we need - and the quantities of those needed bricks. Anyone can then put bricks into an envelope and send them to us. We'll keep a posted list of how many of each brick we need and how many we've received. Once the collection end date arrives - we will purchase any remaining necessary bricks (You can also donate funds to help!) - then we'll assemble the sets and instructions into bags and send them out to the Recipients!
Once we have started a new Project - we post information about that Project on our social media pages - here on the website, and we contact our Brick Angels Mailing List.
Once the Project is posted - you can see the list of the bricks we need - and the quantities of those needed bricks. Anyone can then put bricks into an envelope and send them to us. We'll keep a posted list of how many of each brick we need and how many we've received. Once the collection end date arrives - we will purchase any remaining necessary bricks (You can also donate funds to help!) - then we'll assemble the sets and instructions into bags and send them out to the Recipients!
Donating Funds
Our goal is to send Lego Sets, free of charge, to anyone who would benefit from one - but of course there's a cost to it. When we are sending sets to individuals, we accept donations to cover the cost of the shipping charges - as those add up quickly. For the time being - we can only accept applications from US Residents UNLESS there is a Brick Angel Donor willing to cover the shipping cost. We have to limit the program at this time because the cost of shipping many sets overseas is prohibitive and would likely result in our not being able to continue doing projects.
We also encourage Brick Angels to donate $Funds$ that will be used to help us buy any necessary bricks from Lego or Bricklink(whichever option is less expensive) - if we end up short at the end of our collection drive. Brick Angel donors who chip-in Funds also receive karma points.
Our goal is to send Lego Sets, free of charge, to anyone who would benefit from one - but of course there's a cost to it. When we are sending sets to individuals, we accept donations to cover the cost of the shipping charges - as those add up quickly. For the time being - we can only accept applications from US Residents UNLESS there is a Brick Angel Donor willing to cover the shipping cost. We have to limit the program at this time because the cost of shipping many sets overseas is prohibitive and would likely result in our not being able to continue doing projects.
We also encourage Brick Angels to donate $Funds$ that will be used to help us buy any necessary bricks from Lego or Bricklink(whichever option is less expensive) - if we end up short at the end of our collection drive. Brick Angel donors who chip-in Funds also receive karma points.
How do Lego donors benefit from being Brick Angels?
Each Brick Angel gets Karma Points - one Karma Point for each brick he sends to fellow Brick Angels members- and TWO Karma Points for each brick he or she donates to a Brick Angels Project.
The Karma Points you are awarded, can be used for multiple things:
The Karma Points you are awarded, can be used for multiple things:
- To "buy" entries into Lego Give-Aways available ONLY to Brick Angels
- You can use your Karma Points for discounts from online Lego-related vendors (We'll have a list available to members)
- Karma Points can be used to make purchases from our exclusive Brick Angels BrickLink store
- .... and much, much more as the Program Expands!
We will have a published list of the TOP Brick Angels and their karma points here and on our social media pages. (Don't worry - you can be anonymous if you'd like!)
At the end of the calendar year, the TOP Brick Angel with the most Karma Points, will be awarded a FREE $100 Gift Card to Lego.com!
How does our Brixchange work?
Here's an Example:
Jeff is a adult Lego fan and avid builder living in Virginia, Beach, Va. Jeff has a huge collection of parts and sets and he loves to build big complex models.
In New Jersey, Kelsie is a fellow Lego fan with a sizable collection of parts. She's also built some cool models and custom signs. Kelsie is currently working on a build, and she finds that she's a few dark grey sloped bricks short of finishing the roof she's building.
As a member of Brick Angels, Kelsie can hop onto the site and request the twelve bricks that she needs to complete her build. Another member, like Jeff, will see her request and since he has the parts available, Jeff can offer those bricks to Kelsie at no cost.
This makes Jeff a BRICKGIVER.
(We do ask Brickcipients to cover the cost of shipping sometimes - but many Brickgivers don't mind covering the minimal cost of sending a few bricks to a fellow AFOL)
Brick-Giving is not supposed to replace buying and selling on sites like Bricklink.
Brick-Giving is an alternative, to be used when the hopeful Brickcipient is in need of a fairly small number of a fairly common Lego bricks, in a fairly common color - and it's a great way to be rewarded for helping others in need!
The Brickcipient gets Karma Points for each brick he sends to fellow Brick Angels members- and to reward these Brickgivers; those Karma Points can be used to get entries into FREE Lego Give Aways, they can use their Karma Points for discounts from online Lego-related vendors, to make purchases from certain BrickLink stores (whose owners are Brick Angels!) and much, much more as the Program Expands. At the end of the calandar year, the Brick Angel with the most Karma Points, will be awarded a FREE $100 Gift Card to Lego.com or Bricklink- their choice!
Jeff is a adult Lego fan and avid builder living in Virginia, Beach, Va. Jeff has a huge collection of parts and sets and he loves to build big complex models.
In New Jersey, Kelsie is a fellow Lego fan with a sizable collection of parts. She's also built some cool models and custom signs. Kelsie is currently working on a build, and she finds that she's a few dark grey sloped bricks short of finishing the roof she's building.
As a member of Brick Angels, Kelsie can hop onto the site and request the twelve bricks that she needs to complete her build. Another member, like Jeff, will see her request and since he has the parts available, Jeff can offer those bricks to Kelsie at no cost.
This makes Jeff a BRICKGIVER.
(We do ask Brickcipients to cover the cost of shipping sometimes - but many Brickgivers don't mind covering the minimal cost of sending a few bricks to a fellow AFOL)
Brick-Giving is not supposed to replace buying and selling on sites like Bricklink.
Brick-Giving is an alternative, to be used when the hopeful Brickcipient is in need of a fairly small number of a fairly common Lego bricks, in a fairly common color - and it's a great way to be rewarded for helping others in need!
The Brickcipient gets Karma Points for each brick he sends to fellow Brick Angels members- and to reward these Brickgivers; those Karma Points can be used to get entries into FREE Lego Give Aways, they can use their Karma Points for discounts from online Lego-related vendors, to make purchases from certain BrickLink stores (whose owners are Brick Angels!) and much, much more as the Program Expands. At the end of the calandar year, the Brick Angel with the most Karma Points, will be awarded a FREE $100 Gift Card to Lego.com or Bricklink- their choice!
What is a Brick Angel Brickgiver?
A Brickgiver is any Brick Angel member that sends bricks to a fellow member, free of charge.
In return, Brickgivers receive Karma Points (ONE for each brick sent to someone in need - and TWO for each brick donated to a Brick Angels Project).
In return, Brickgivers receive Karma Points (ONE for each brick sent to someone in need - and TWO for each brick donated to a Brick Angels Project).
What is a Brickcipient?
A Brickcipient is a Brick Angels member, who has asked for bricks that they need - and gets the bricks they need from a fellow Brick Angel at no cost. (Remember: Brickcipients may be asked to pay for the shipping- it depends on the giver).