Building Community: TexLUG
Posted by MeganL,
Our Building Community series is back! This time Holly chats with Will Heron at TexLUG (Texas LUG):
Describe TexLUG's community outreach programs and their benefits.
TexLUG’s community outreach focuses on providing a positive experience building LEGO creations with kids at the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. In ye olden pre-pandemic days, we met once monthly at the Child Life Center at Dell Children’s to sit down at the short tables and let the kids be our guides through a free build session. If they weren’t into free building, we always had a selection of sets on hand for them to start on.
When it was time to go, each kid could take their bricks with them or choose a new set on the way back to their rooms. The youngsters in there are going through a pretty tough time, so it’s a joy to bring happiness into an emotionally heavy environment.
Other past outreach has included local scout groups, teaming up with local schools for after school STEAM programming. The benefits are at least twofold. There’s the benefit of having a 3D buildable thing with which to explore engineering principles as well as the less obvious fine example: the LUG shows it’s ok to play and have fun at any age.
TexLUG 2018 donation
How long has the group been doing this?
Before TexLUG split into TexLUG (based in Austin) and the Houston Brick Club, Space City members of TexLUG were involved with the Texas Children’s Hospital in the fall of 2015. They’ve also participated in events with ornament making and an auction of a large brick built wreath to benefit the MD Anderson Center for Cancer Research.
How did it get started?
We here in Austin were inspired by our Houston LUGmates’ generous nature, and we set out to try to match it. After a few unsuccessful attempts to try to find the right volunteer coordinator who could match us with an interested party, someone else in the wider organization came looking for us. Armed with photos of some fine Sean Kenney work, a banquet organizer with the Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas came to TexLUG looking for work similar to his. I tempered her expectations a bit, but we were able to deliver some fine LEGO models of their new teaching hospital buildings. She also was able to provide an introduction to Laura Cox at Dell Children's.
Builders Nathan Webster, Ben Rollman, Claire Nordlow, Josh Thomson, Brian Lassiter, and Will Heron all contributed to the build.
How long have you (personally) been involved with TexLUG?
I stumbled on TexLUG’s web presence in 2008 when trying to find online advice for how to update an old 7740 passenger train for whatever train propulsion system was current at the time. And I attended my first meeting with them within the month. That meeting was in the back of an old used toy store named Anna’s Toys who still sells a great selection of LEGO items.
How many volunteers are involved?
Our whole LUG is involved in the toy drives we run yearly. I thought that was around 50 people, but I just checked our attendance logs and we have over 70 people who’ve attended at least one event this year. Most events have been virtual, so that might account for the increase.
For our build sessions at the hospital, we are limited to 5 volunteers at a time. But we usually have just 3 or 4 of us. We don’t want to crowd the kids, and the space only has 3 tables.
TexLUG 2019 donation
How have these activities been affected by the pandemic?
Build sessions were completely stopped of course, but the toy drive carried on. We are looking into doing some pre-recorded sessions for the kids to watch and learn.
TexLUG 2020 donation
What are the LUG's future plans for more community involvement?
That’s a great question - and it’s fun to think about all the possibilities. We’ll continue to work with the children’s hospital. And we always have our eyes open for children’s groups that could use some help. Sadly, there are so many. I’d love to see more members' amazing MOCs auctioned off for charity. That seems like using our nerd powers for good.
Thanks, Will!
Do you know of an individual or an organisation who should be featured in Building Community? Let us know.
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2 comments on this article
Thanks Holly and Megan - love reading about the different LUGs around the world.
More please!
The stars at night,
Are big and bright...
Couldn't resist... Lol
The social component of the US Lugs will always fascinate me! Great job!