Wednesday, November 13 - WORCESTER, MA: Youngsters who attend the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester have been inspired to start collecting sports trading cards thanks to a positive initiative created by ten-year-old Crosby Preston.
Crosby, who lives in Worcester, has amassed more than 8,500 cards this year, but despite being an avid collector, he is giving them all away to good causes.
The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester was the first to benefit from Crosby’s mission to inspire others to catch the collecting bug when he presented them with 3,500 cards, which he in turn handed out in special packs of 30 cards.
“I love collecting cards and visiting card shows and want other children who may not be able to attend to enjoy collecting too,” said Crosby, who plays hockey for the Worcester Railers junior program. “It’s fun opening a new packet of cards, discovering which new players you have.”
Crosby came up with an idea to ask fellow enthusiasts and those in the sports collectibles industry to donate cards for a good cause. Once thousands of cards came flooding in from generous donors, Crosby divided them randomly into mixed packs of 30 cards, featuring athletes from football, baseball, hockey, basketball and soccer.
The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester serves as a key resource for the local youth, offering programs that support academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and leadership development. Crosby Preston’s donation will help fuel the Club’s efforts by providing kids with a new activity that can promote positive interaction, curiosity, and a love for sports.
Card donations have come so far from Cardboard Promotions, Pure Hockey, @weekndwarriors603, and Sawyers Sports Cards. Crosby will be attending card shows around the Worcester and Greater Boston areas, accepting donations for this positive initiative, which he hopes will continue to grow.
All who donate – whether businesses or individuals - are entered into raffle to win prizes from Pure Hockey, Sawyers Sports Cards and others.
Anyone interested in visiting card shows should visit www.payitforwardcardshows.com and www.cardboardpromotions.com