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Optimus Prime surprises 40 children with new school backpacks
September 23, 2020
It's not often that children walk into school one day expecting a visit from Cybertron. But that's exactly what happened for a select group of kids at Hamilton Elementary School in Sciota, PA this month.
Joe Fiduccia, owner of the world's only full-scale Optimus Prime truck replica, partnered with Amanda Mullikin of Inch By Inch Daycare LLC as well as the Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Company to surprise some elementary school kids with a visit from Optimus Prime, handing out 40 new backpacks stuffed with new school supplies.
"The pandemic has hurt all of us, "explains Fiduccia. "Normally this time of year, I would be traveling to schools all over the country with Optimus as part of our anti-bully campaign. Unfortunately but understandably, most schools aren't considering any programs for the entire school year."
"So I tried to come up with a creative and safe
way to reach at least some children with Optimus, as I know it would totally make their days a bit brighter. That's when the idea of a socially-distanced backpack delivery in Optimus Prime came to mind."
"This experience actually took several months to coordinate," says Fiduccia. "I started by writing a Facebook post
in a local community group back in early July, soliciting help from anyone who was willing to assist me in creating a totally unique and very memorable experience for school children. Mrs. Mullikin messaged me privately within 30 minutes, immediately offering her services."
Amanda Mullikin, owner of Inch by Inch Daycare LLC
in Mt. Pocono, agreed to provide more than 3 dozen backpacks and supplies for students. "I decided to support this because I love to volunteer. I am also a mother of four. My oldest has Down syndrome, [and] ever since he was diagnosed I went out and educated myself to help him along his journey of life. He is why I love educating children and helping children in need."
Each backpack has a folder, colored pencils, erasers, crayons, writing pencils, pencils sharpener, and a few gifts from Optimus as well. Newly stuffed backpacks now at the ready, Fiduccia just needed to locate a school willing to embrace this unique idea. So he began reaching out to elementary schools in the Pocono region, and eventually found a willing candidate at Hamilton Elementary school in Sciota, PA.
"Principal Karen Houck was immediately on board," explains Fiduccia. "She responded right away and absolutely loved the idea. She was very willing to accommodate us and offered to do whatever she could to make it happen. Together we came up with a strategy to make sure this experience was 100% safe, socially distanced, and most important...impactful."
The special visit finally took place on school grounds - Tuesday Sept 22, 2020. Principal Houck selected the lucky winners, and brought them outside around 2:00 PM during school hours. Joined by a lights and sirens escort from Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Company, Optimus Prime rolled up to the surprise of the children waiting.
"That is always my favorite part of these experiences," says Fiduccia. "Watching their faces when Optimus rolls up with a local police or fire escort out of nowhere. It simply makes them crazy because that is the last thing they are expecting. And in that single moment of joy, all of their troubles instantly disappear."
Once parked, Fiduccia got very creative with the children. In an effort to promote social distancing, he remained in the vehicle and used the truck's amplified audio system to project robotic voiceovers. He explained who they were, why Optimus was there, and even did a round of Transformers Trivia before making Optimus himself speak a few words to the children.
When that was all over, Amanda was asked to come up to an open door on Optimus, revealing the 40 backpacks for the children. With the help of Principal Houck, teachers and staff, Amanda carefully passed out the backpacks while the students picked them up one at a time.
And as if that wasn't enough, the children were invited up close to Optimus for a personal photo before heading back inside the school.
"What an incredible experience," says Fiduccia. "In a matter of seconds, these children went from experiencing the ongoing uncertainty brought on by COVID to pure euphoria and joy...completely forgetting about all of the stresses that are weighing them down. This is what I live for. And I could not have done it without the help of Amanda, and the support of Principal Houck."
Amanda shared why she believes her donation will go a long way towards inspiring these kids: "I feel my donation will impact the children a lot. I feel if children see people go out of their ways to help others, [then] they will go out of their way to help [others in the future]. Plus I think a visit from Optimus will get the children so excited, becoming a memory that they will never forget."
We were honored to partner with Amanda from Inch By Inch Childcare LLC, and encourage everyone to support her brand new Mt. Pocono location. You can find them on this website, Facebook page, or Instagram account. Like us, their mission to bring joy is one that is worthy of a Prime...and we greatly appreciate it.
We also wish to extend our sincerest thanks to the Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Company, who agreed to escort Optimus to the school with less than 24 hours notice.
If you are interested in coordinating a special experience like this for some or all of the children in your school district, please contact us. ROLL OUT!
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