BRANDO’S TOY DRIVE

Each December, Brandon Welk’s glass studio transforms into a place to store gifts for needy members of our community.

LINDA BALL

FOR EVERCANNABIS

Brando’s Toy Drive is a go in its 8th year

Glassblowing community shows generosity

By Linda Ball EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT

In this otherwise strange year, one thing is for certain: Brandon Welk – Brando to his friends – will not let COVID-19 or anything else get in the way of his annual Christmas Toy Drive for needy families.

Welk is a glassblower/artist with a studio in Spokane. The toy drive has always been an online event, so the pandemic really hasn’t affected his efforts. People who need help making Christmas a reality for their kids know how to reach out to him on Facebook.

What makes his different from other toy drives is that he identifies the families, finds out what they need or want, and does the shopping, so the kids get items they actually want or need.

“It’s so much fun to go shopping with $10,000 in cash,” Welk said. “Everyone asks what we’re doing.”

He said he once received a $4,000 donation, wired directly into his bank account.

For incentive and extra fun, people who donate cash or toys for the fund are entered into contests to win glass pieces donated by various local glassblowers.

This year he might do some videos of some of the prizes, which can be very

See BRANDO’S, 9