Whiz Kids: Brothers Lego of Treasures to Give Back

Names: Nate, Hayden and Cole Brice

Accomplishment: This week, we’d like to pay homage to a group of Whiz Kids as the 30th annual Huntington Woods Men’s Club Auction approaches. Money raised at this year's auction will be used to help purchase single-stream recycling carts for households that were not part of the pilot program. In past years, the Men’s Club auction raised money for the purchase and installation of solar panels that will placed on the Huntington Woods Recreation Center’s roof, pool renovations, the running track and new play structures at Reynolds Park. This event provides a unique experience for the community to contribute, and our Whiz Kids stepped up.

Key to Awesomeness: Susan and Trey Brice recently began gathering items they could donate for the annual auction. Soon, their three sons took notice and wanted in on the action.

Cole, 9, Hayden, 7, and Nate, 5, began to hint that they wanted to contribute, too. After some discussion, it was decided that they would build a few treasures with their Legos, which will be Gift 417 at the auction.

“We built mini-figures,” said Cole, who is in fourth grade at Burton. “We just started to build them and put them in a case so we could donate them.”

Cole described the figures as little people. His dad added that the pieces are constructed with different faces and features from the kids’ Lego sets. Each one is a unique creation and dear to kids’ hearts.

The boys, said Susan, love their Legos.

“We have so many Legos,” she said. “Probably enough for all of Huntington Woods.”

Each child worked hard on their creations, so Susan said she made sure the kids knew what they were getting into.

“I said: ‘You realize you won’t get these back, right?’ ”

But the boys are no strangers to charitable work and they have seen what the money raised by the Men’s Club has done in their community. They agreed to give up some of their precious collection for a good cause.

Trey says he and his wife work hard to instill a sense of giving in their children.

“We like to ask, ‘What can we give?’ ” he said, adding that he and his wife often point out projects that have been funded by the Men’s Club.

 “They get it,” Trey said.

Other kids donate, too

The Brices aren’t the only family that is getting in on the action. Here is a list of items donated by kids, according to Men's Club member Todd Sperl:

• Gift 314 comes from Becca and Andrew Enerson. The duo are donating a free lawn-mowing service, including trimming and edging.

• Gifts 415-416 comes from Cub Scout Pack 1292 and Boy Scout Troop 1292. The groups are offering  a leaf-raking service.

• Gift 418 comes from Allie Sperl, who is contributing gourmet cupcakes. Allie, 10, has named her business Sweet Pea Confections and will provide a consultation to discuss the winning bidder's needs and up to 36 cupcakes. Delivery will be available within a 5 mile radius of the Huntington Woods Recreation Center.

• Gift 461 comes from Cub Scout Pack 1292 and Boy Scout Troop 1292. The groups are donating holiday wreaths, garland, bows and pine cones for the holidays. The groups will deliver the items up to a 5 mile radius from the Recreation Center.

The 30th annual Huntington Woods Men’s Club Service Auction will be held at 6 p.m. March 26 at the city’s Recreation Center, 26325 Scotia. Click here for details.

Correction: Money raised at this year's auction will be used to help purchase single-stream recycling carts.