Inspired by a California teen’s nonprofit called Pass the Bricks, Decorah teacher librarian Shannon Horton launched a local effort to recycle donated Lego bricks into custom kits for kids in need. With help from students, the bricks are cleaned, sorted, and rebuilt into one-of-a-kind sets.

The first donation of more than 25 kits was delivered to Postville Elementary students in May. Some sets were even tailored to the community, like a Postville Fire Department build. Rachel Sandhorst, counselor at Postville, shared, “My students loved picking out their favorite kit – a space ship or store or basketball court. The recipients are excited to take home their kits to play with this summer!”

What began as a Decorah Middle School mini-course project has now expanded, with Decorah High School National Honor Society members continuing the work each school year. Decorah is now one of three Iowa sites—and over 100 worldwide—participating in this effort to spread creativity through recycled Legos. More information can be found at https://www.passthebricks.org/

DHS National Honor Society members who participated in Pass the Bricks this year

Poolside Batman kit – one of many made by Amelia Pankow

DMS student Soren Zittergruen shows off his Overambitious Mini Figure kit

DMS student Charlie Peterson shows off his finished kit Battle of the Swamp

Decorah Eagles kit ready for donation