"Every time we are able to give tickets to a kid to go to a game, it's rewarding all over again."
Robb Neuenschwander, a Gopher basketball season ticket holder, hated seeing empty seats at the games. As a Big Brother volunteer, he would often take his little brother, Mario, to the game. He knew how much kids like Mario would love to fill those seats. So he created Tix for Tots. Donated tickets are given to children who otherwise couldn't afford them. They get to attend sporting events, plays, and musical performances for free.
Robb, a sports and music enthusiast, says his goal is to expose kids to new experiences and inspire them to try new things. "They're so exuberant about the entire experience." He says the smiles and thank you notes make it all worthwhile.
Tix for Tots has far exceeded Robb's expectations. Since it became operational in July of 2002, it has provided children with over seven thousand tickets, worth more than 140,000 dollars.
Robb would like those with unused tickets to know there is a place they can send them. His dream is to see Tix for Tots programs in other metro areas across the U.S. as well.
"It's really fun to put your energy into something that is so positive from everybody's perspective."
Designated Charity: $1100 to Tix for Tots
