Boy Collects Legos for Leukemia

Like any other 9-year-old boy, Logan Agnew loves toys - especially brand-new boxes of Legos.

But unlike the average elementary schooler who rips open the box eager to inspect the contents, Logan is patiently saving the unopened toys for a special occasion.

Described as a “Lego fanatic” by his mom Lynn, Logan had always expressed in interest in helping other children since the age of 5.

“It’s funny, since he is one himself,” she said. “But he is very enamored with pediatric occupational therapy, and even shadowed with (a therapist). He was looking for a way to help kids.”

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A random Internet search for “local Lego activities” revealed the organization Legos for Leukemia, currently operating in 13 states and delivering to 19 hospitals nationwide. This happy accident set in motion the creation of the Tampa branch of Legos for Leukemia in April.

“It fit two needs,” she said. “He started asking questions, and I contacted the director in Colorado. She said they’d been looking for a Tampa branch. Probably by eight o’clock that night, we were already set up and ready to go.”

Their first donation drive was held at Lutz Prep School, Logan’s school, with a goal of 100 boxes donated. Currently they’ve received 89 boxes.

In December, Agnew’s organization, Legos for Leukemia Tampa will make its first delivery of his collected Legos to young cancer patients.

Patch sat down with Agnew and his mother to learn why Logan decided take on such an important role.

Patch: Logan, most kids your age would be collecting Legos to play with them. Why do you want to help other kids?

Agnew: I’m a kid, too. I can’t really imagine what it would be like to be taken out of my home and I couldn’t play with my regular toys. I wanted to help kids who were fighting cancer, fighting for their lives.

Also I have two friends, Amanda and Christopher, who survived the battle of leukemia and I wanted to honor their battle.

Patch: Where will you deliver the Legos you are collecting?

Logan: Legos for Leukemia Tampa branch only donates to Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Patch: What did the hospital say when you told them what you wanted to do for their patients?

Logan: They really liked it and gave us the definite okay to do the donation in December. This will be our first time donating. We started on April 1, but no, it’s not a joke.

Patch: If a person or an organization wants to donate, how can they contact you?

Logan: They can go on our Legos for Leukemia Tampa Facebook page and they will see a link to our Amazon Wishlist. All donations go directly to me. If they want to set up a drop off, they can email my mom.

We do accept gift cards, just not cash and we can’t accept any used Legos. We can use all the help we can get.

Patch: What is overall goal for Legos for Leukemia Tampa?

Logan: My goal is to keep it going for as long as I can, for years and years.

I want to bring as many smiles to kids’ faces as possible when they are going through an extremely tough time in their lives and have to have the maturity of an adult.

I want make them feel like a regular kid for a while and not have to think about all the treatments and everything else. Just think about being a kid.

For more information, to volunteer or donate to Legos for Leukemia Tampa, visit their Facebook page or email dhakirahdance@gmail.com.