When there’s something strange in your neighborhood. Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Something strange is not having enough toys for children on Christmas. The Ghostbusters of Colorado United are revving up their proton packs for a charged-up mission as they join a nationwide Ghostbusters toy drive “Fill the Ecto” at St. Nix Collectibles, Toys & Antiques, 1834 Main St. #18, on December 16.
Expect a spectral spectacle with Ghostbusters, Ecto vehicles and even a spirited Santa in tow — plus a hint of mysterious surprises. All this ghostly fun serves a charitable cause as the local Ghostbusters fan group rallies to amass toys and funds for Kenzi’s Causes, a Colorado-based charity.
The Fort Collins Ghostbusters, Northern Colorado Ghostbusters and High Plains Ghostbusters also have drop-off stations until then at St. Nix Collectibles, Gryphon Games & Comics in Fort Collins or any of the HD Escape Rooms in Greeley, Westminster or Denver.
In 2013, Alex Eggleston initiated the creation of the Fort Collins Ghostbusters. He and a friend were gearing up to dress as Ghostbusters for a convention and stumbled upon worldwide Ghostbusters groups engaged in community service and charity events. Noticing the absence of such a group in Fort Collins, Alex Eggleston, along with that friend and his wife Mayette, took the plunge and formed their own.
Mayette Eggleston is deeply involved in the group’s mission of spreading goodwill and positivity in the community. Their toy drive initiative began last year after learning about a national Ghostbusters toy drive led by groups in New York City and San Antonio. Their local efforts yielded impressive results, collecting over 600 toys for underprivileged kids and families for Kenzi’s Causes.
“I grew up in the Philippines and I really wasn’t into collecting stuff. It was when I moved here in 2002, and when I married Alex, he’s more like the movie/comic book geek,” Mayette Eggleston said. “I saw Ghostbusters, but it wasn’t in the movies because I was in the Philippines. It was more like back in the day with video stores.”
Her journey towards English proficiency was learning through shows like “Super Friends” and watching vintage films like Charlie Chaplin during after-school hours. Her access to American entertainment also stemmed from familial connections in the United States.
Beyond their dedication to providing toys for children during Christmas, the Fort Collins Ghostbusters have supported many various causes over the years, including the Children’s Literacy Program and the Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
However, for Mayette Eggleston, the significance of giving toys to kids during Christmas runs deeper due to her upbringing in the Philippines, where financial constraints were a harsh reality. The significance of toys during Christmas transcends mere playthings with a childhood experience that formed the bedrock of her commitment to the toy drive initiative.
“I was seven years old when my dad passed away in November. My mom, struggling to provide for four kids, faced hardships after losing half the family’s income. That Christmas was tough; there was only one tiny toy hanging on the tree,” Mayette Eggleston said.
She vividly remembers that Christmas morning, waking up to find a small, wrapped toy resembling a Pez dispenser, and no other presents.
“I was really sad,” Mayette Eggleston admitted, feeling the absence of gifts while witnessing friends and cousins enjoying theirs. “For a child, you don’t understand. For a seven year old, that’s devastating.”
Her childhood in the Philippines lacked resources and charitable support. Financial assistance came primarily from her grandfather, but it was earmarked for essentials like food and bills.
“We didn’t have resources like this. My mom’s charities were nonexistent growing up there. Nothing,” Mayette Eggleston recalled.
Her past struggles resonate deeply in her commitment to the toy drive. Understanding the emotional impact of unfulfilled wants and needs as a child, Mayette Eggleston is determined to create joy for others. She finds solace in providing support for underprivileged children, driven by the memory of yearning for simple joys like a balloon that financial constraints denied her.
“You just want to make kids happy on Christmas. Nobody wants to see a kid sad,” Mayette Eggleston said. “That’s why it continues to have a huge impact on me with trying to help kids.”
