Mission Viejo Girl Invites All to Lego And Play Well with Others

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Mission Viejo resident Alicia Serratos, like many 10-year-olds, loves playing with Legos.

When her friend Micah started "Play Well Africa" to collect new and used Legos for children in Uganda, Alicia knew she could do more. That knowledge led her to earning more than $3,000 for kids in Africa to share in the Play Well Africa campaign.

"Alicia found out and immediately came home filling a gallon bag with Lego and convincing her siblings to do the same," said her mother, Monica Serratos. "Then, she got her Girl Scout Troop involved."

Alicia invited Micah to a troop meeting to gather the Legos they had all collected. His presentation on his recent trip to Uganda inspired Alicia with a new dream.

"Alicia knew then and there that she had to go to Africa and hand deliver the Lego herself," Monica said. "She approached me with the idea and I told her if she wanted to go she needed to raise the money herself. We tossed around some ideas and ultimately she decided on making Lego jewelry and selling it. "

Using social media and sales platforms available, Alicia and her mother set up an Etsy account and put together a blog.

"When we first started out, I was drilling the holes in the Lego pieces, but I knew if it was something she was going to take on, she needed to own it," Monica said. "We approached our local Home Depot and they donated a dremel tool and stand. Alicia was drilling away in no time, managing her Etsy page all by herself, shipping everything on her own and keeping track of her orders. She held a few Lego Drives of her own and set up at different events to sell her jewelry."

Making the website was a lot of work, according to Alicia.

"We had an order of 50 necklaces once and I had to make them all in a short amount of time," she said. "That was a bit challenging. It's a lot of work, but I know it's going to make a lot of kids happy, so I just do it."

That "just do it" attitude helped her raise more than $3,000 and for her Uganda trip in August of 2016.

In her mother's eyes, Alicia is a great example of the impact a child can make on the world, and Girl Scouts is a big part of that.

"She has been a part of many different projects, each making an impact both locally and globally," Monica said. "Alicia has ventured out learning about healthy eating and has been working towards getting Girl Scout Cookies made to be GMO free and organic, she currently has almost 50,000 signatures from supporters."

Other projects Alicia has embarked upon include writing and publishing a healthy cookbook with easy recipe for families, with all proceeds going to her local ecology center, participating in food drives, clothing drives, toy drives, harvesting food for the homeless and, crocheting sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic grocery bags. She has taken action for the safety of elephants and is even working toward earning her third Gold Presidential Volunteer Award.

In Alicia's opinion, the Play Well Africa Lego movement is the most exciting thing she has accomplished in her 10 years.

"I got to meet a bunch of people and make friends," Alicia said. "I loved seeing the reaction of the kids when we gave them the Lego blocks, it was really special."

What is next for Alicia and her jewelry venture?

She continues to sell her jewelry with hopes of raising even more money for more Lego blocks to donate, as well as sports equipment, musical instruments, clean water and more for the families in Uganda. Her younger sister, Anabelle, is even getting in on the action. Anabelle has developed a line of holiday ornaments they will be selling on the website.

"She too would like to make that trip to Uganda....but needs to raise the money herself," their mother said. In December, Anabelle and Alicia will hold "Lego Drive December" to encourage local Girl Scout troops, Boy Scouts, schools and local businesses to hold Lego drives to collect Lego to send to kids in Uganda.

Growing up by giving, Alicia and Anabelle's mother has seen how this experience has shaped her children's world.

"Alicia has always had a big heart and displayed the need to give back," Monica said. "Through this experience she has become more familiar with the many aspects of running a business, from computer use and marketing, to relationships and partnerships. After coming back from her trip, she has definitely become more aware of how fortunate she is."

To purchase from Alicia's Etsy store, visit: etsy.com/playwelljewelry