Magically Building a Better Future
By Diana Bocco
Photos courtesy of the Franks family
In December 2003, the Franks girls undertook a venture that would change the lives of their family and those of many Scottsdale residents forever. As Christmas approached, Madeline and Makenzie Frank became part of the biggest toy drive ever in the area. The twist? The older Frank girl was barely 5 years old!
With the aid of their parents, Christy and John, the girls joined the Phoenix Suns Dancers to organize Kids 4 Kids Toy Drive. “The basic idea at the time was that kids would be giving gifts to other children,” says Christy Frank. ”We raised thousands of toys and dollars for Childhelp USA, but our Kids 4 Kids program also introduced us to other community needs, such as the need to upgrade facilities for certain children’s charity organizations.”
Since then, the organization has added one more Frank girl to the group (Abigail, now 4) and has grown into Magical Builders, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children and their communities. While they still conduct an annual toy drive near the holidays, the Franks have expanded their good works into other programs as well. Magical Builders’ main focus is now the renovation and building of facilities for children’s charities.
In 2005, they renovated the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and are now building a youth baseball and softball field in an underserved area of Placentia, California, with the Angels Baseball Foundation. Each July, the family travels to the city selected to host the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and to renovate a Boys & Girls Club as part of MLB’s scheduled events.
While the Franks insist that the most rewarding part is to share the passion of helping others with their children, Christy emphasizes that there is always that one special kid that makes it all worth it. She tells of 10-year old Quinton, who intensely watched as his family, along with many other volunteers, worked hard on building a wood fence for the club to protect the children from the dangers of the surrounding neighborhood.
“Quinton was being a tough guy with an attitude, saying they really didn’t need a fence because that wasn’t going to stop them,” says Christie of Quinton’s feelings regarding the gang members in the area.
One of the volunteers eventually told Quinton to join them and help out. After a little more complaining, Quinton eventually jumped the fence as it was being built, threw his football to one of the volunteers, and walked over and started to work. His scowls soon turned into smiles as he played with the other kids and helped the volunteers build the fence. By the end of the afternoon, says Christy, Quinton had become a completely different child—laughing, having fun, and taking pride in being a part of the neighborhood.
In 2007, Magical Builders will organize the “Jamma Jingles” program to collect donated children’s pajamas throughout the Valley, and give them to foster homes and shelters for abused children. The official website offers many ideas on how to get involved, and what parents and kids can do to help change their community.
For those interested in becoming a part of Magical Builders, visit magicalbuilders.org.