Yard Sale Success Launches “Buck a Block, Fall 2025” Campaign
ASAP’s September yard sale brought with it the spirit of generosity and hope for children half a world away. The event marked the official kickoff of the “Buck a Block, Fall 2025 Campaign,” a visionary effort dedicated to funding 200 sets of 110 handmade, wooden blocks for preschools in impoverished South African communities.
Shoppers browsed, bartered, and bought, but more importantly, they learned about the campaign’s mission: to provide durable, beautiful blocks that will inspire creative play and learning for generations. Twenty volunteers made all aspects of the sale run smoothly.
The “Buck a Block” initiative is as ambitious as it is simple—each block, carefully crafted and sanded by hand, represents an opportunity for a young learner to build, imagine, and explore. These blocks aren’t just toys; they’re tools for development, collaboration, and joy. Organizers emphasized that once in the hands of a preschool, these blocks will last forever, supporting not only today’s children but generations yet to come.
Funds raised from the yard sale brought the campaign off to a strong start, with neighbors and friends giving generously, some donating on the spot and others since then. The event also raised vital awareness: dozens of new supporters entered a raffle and signed up to join our mailing list.
Organizers expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and excitement for what lies ahead. “Every block we send is a building block for a brighter future,” one volunteer reflected. “With the community behind us, we’re confident South African preschools will get the resources they need for children growing up in impoverished settings to thrive.”
Because our model is to reward initiative (not give handouts) block sets are “earned to own” by preschools as owners accumulate points for attending weekly training sessions and reaching goals to improve their teaching, administration, and settings. With points they buy items at “The Incentive Store” like block sets, which are too bulky and heavy for borrowing. Blocks are “golden” and must be owned but only a few schools have been able to purchase them so far, like the schools in the videos. Donors are solving that problem!
The “Buck a Block, Fall 2025 Campaign” continues through December, inviting everyone to join in—one block or part of a block set or a whole set at a time! The donate button takes you to this campaign. Together, we can help ensure that playtime, creativity, and discovery are built to last.