Des Plaines boy collecting Legos for needy Guatemalan children

A Des Plaines boy doesn't want Legos for himself for his birthday - he wants them so he can give them to needy children in Guatemala.

Adrian Menzell, 8, is collecting the building blocks from classmates and anyone else who is willing to donate, and plans to bring them to nonprofit organizations in Guatemala City when he takes a trip in November for Day of the Dead celebrations.

He says he was inspired after learning about the children and families who live in the city's garbage dump.

His family is planning a birthday party next weekend when classmates are invited to bring Legos for the cause. And this week, Adrian pitched his philanthropic efforts at a Des Plaines city council meeting, encouraging the public to donate their new or used Legos.

Plans are in the works for a box to be placed in city hall for people to drop off Legos. Until then, Adrian and his family encourage people to message them on the Facebook page Unstoppable Children of the World or via email at unstoppablechildrenoftheworld@gmail.com, and they can come pick up donated Legos.