Written by Nina, the Beyond Editorial Team
It was a Monday morning. Three figures in Jedi and Sith robes stood outside a Toys“R”Us outlet, lightsabers in hand. They weren’t cosplaying for a fan convention – they were waiting to dash through the aisles of the store on a mission of a different kind.
This was the Toy Dash Madness, organised and sponsored by Great World. The premise: grab as many toys as you can in 60 seconds at Toys“R”Us. Nine Great Rewards members got to do exactly that with their kids. An additional three slots were set aside for Beyond Social Services to collect as many toys for children and youth in our programmes, and for future fundraising events.
We invited FightSaber, a Star Wars lightsaber performance and costuming group, to take the lead. We wanted volunteers who understood toys, were fast on their feet, and would enjoy the experience. The FightSaber three showed up full of energy and enthusiasm, costumed from head to toe, and with a plan to grab bags full of Toys”R”Us goodies. Before their run, they skilfully brandished their lightsabers outside the store, drawing excitement and smiles from the little shoppers around. They posed for photos, shared laughs with kids, and reminded everyone that giving could be a fun-filled activity.
Once the Toy Dash began, our Star Wars-clad trio moved with purpose. They knew exactly what they were after. Guided by the wise words of Qui-Gon Jinn – “Your focus determines your reality” – the volunteers pursued their goal with unwavering determination. In just sixty seconds, they gathered over $5,500 worth of toys: puzzles, figurines, games…the kind of treasures that light up a child’s eyes.
Which brings us to that often asked question: What is a want and what is a need? Surely needs trump wants. So toys, while desirable, aren’t essential. But not everything in our line of work is about fulfilling needs. Sometimes, it’s about wants. The chance to play. To have something that’s yours. To choose fun, not just what’s practical. This matters too.
We talk often about stability, education, safety – and we should. But experiencing JOY is also part of a good, meaningful life. Play is part of how children build confidence, feel a sense of belonging, and learn who they are. In reality, play is not an optional extra. It’s not indulgent. It’s part of what it means to grow up well.
So yes, we had volunteers in Jedi robes dashing down toy aisles on a Monday morning. And yes, it was fun. But behind it was something more enduring: a belief that children deserve more than just the basics needed to survive. They deserve moments that feel like magic, so they too can dream and aspire to a better life.
Sometimes, all it takes is a lightsaber, a Jedi, and 60 seconds on the clock.