Habitat for Humanity seeks LEGO donations for building contest

FINDLAY — Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County will sponsor a building project at the 2025 Hancock County Fair. But instead of using two-by-fours, nails and paint, builders will be fabricating these homes with LEGO bricks. "We're going to do a house LEGO building contest with 4-H for the fair," said Wendy McCormick, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County. LEGO bricks donations can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays until March 29 at ReStore, located at 1200 Commerce Parkway. Donations will be used during a contest scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 28 in the Youth Pavilion during the fair. Habitat will organize guidelines for the contest and 4-H members will be helping the day of the event. Habitat is seeking standard size LEGO bricks in all colors. New and used bricks in good condition will be accepted. Sets or individual LEGO pieces will be taken, and house pieces like doors and windows are needed. "We'll take anything they've got. That way we can have enough to do what we need to do at the fair," McCormick said. Debbie Crow, communications coordinator for Habitat, said they have received a donation of LEGOs from another agency but nothing yet through the official collection effort. She also noted Marathon is doing a special collection to help with the contest and information is being circulated on the University of Findlay campus. The Build a Home LEGO Contest is part of a slate of activities planned this year as the nonprofit organization celebrates its 25th year in Findlay and Hancock County, according to Executive Director Wendy McCormick. "They turn 25 years in 2025, and we're working with them to collect LEGOs," said Lauren Burner-Kitzler, extension educator, 4-H Youth Development. Burner-Kitzler added that its her goal to get the 4-H program more involved in the community this year. Plans so far include working with Habitat for Humanity and the City Mission on projects and collections, she said.