10-year-old James Groccia, who has Asperger's Syndrome, participates in a LEGO playgroup to help him develop his social skills. After seeing The Emerald Night Train set several years ago, James has been on a mission to get it, but unfortunately it is now considered a collectors item and extremely hard to come by. So naturally, the boy wrote a letter to LEGO (below) - and LEGO responded.
September 1, 2012
LEGO Systems, Inc.
555 Taylor Road
P.O. Box 1600
Enfield, CT 06083-1600
USA
LEGO Group Headquarters
East Europe, SNG countries, the Baltic States and the Balkans
LEGO Trading A/S
DK-7190 Billund
Denmark
Dear Sirs,
My name is James Groccia and I am 10 years old. I have been playing with many Lego sets and products since I was about 4 years old. I have brick sets, Hero Factory, Creationary, Lunar Limo and more. I participate in a Lego Playgroup to help with my Social Skills (I have Asperger's Syndrome) and I love playing with Legos at home (I play with them every day).
A couple of years ago, I saw The Emerald Night Train set (K10194) and fell in love with it. I wanted it right away, but my parents said I had to save the money to get it. For two years I kept all the money I got for birthday and holiday gifts, some of my allowance and some money I got for participating in a research project. At last, a couple of months ago I had my $100 and was ready to buy the Lego set of my dreams!
My mom started looking for it on line and could not find any. We checked the Lego store in our area and they didn't have it either. I was completely crushed. You've stopped making it! It seems the only way to get one now is to pay $250 on Amazon or ebay, since now it is considered collectible.
I got another Lego set, thinking I could forget about the Emerald Night, but every time I see it anywhere on line I get very sad and disappointed. I still want the Emerald Night so badly, but there are none to be found.
Do you have any at your corporate headquarters? Perhaps I could get one that way? If you have any other ideas, I would be happy to hear them. I have never wanted a Lego set so badly ever in my life!
Your most loyal Lego fan,
James G. Groccia
I related completely to this situation with James. My grandson is a child with Asperger's and he loves Lego sets more than anything else! He has built the most complicated scenarios by himself. The Lego corporation is to be congratulated because their wordless directions are so easy to follow. Thanks for making these children's lives so much happier.
Posted by: Elaine Wax | 11/30/2012 at 04:26 PM