With a different name but the same original approach, one annual Northview event never fails to make fundraising easy and effective while also providing a fun time for all.
Brick Jam, previously known as Legomania, is a fundraiser held every year to raise money for the Northview band program. Instead of sending emails and asking people to donate money, Brick Jam turns fundraising into an enjoyable Saturday night event for people of all ages.
Attendees could participate in a raffle, compete in a speed building contest, do a scavenger hunt, build and race lego cars, vote for their favorite participants in the exhibition, do some lego shopping, or even get some food at the cafeteria. Multiple activities are combined into a fun event hosted yearly by the band boosters in order to raise money for the Northview bands. Previously known as “Legomania”, this fundraiser took place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the high school.
Community member Regan Johnson enjoyed her fifth year in the organization team for the event. She became interested in getting involved in the band program when her son was a part of it.
“It’s a giant event with lots and lots of Legos and so much fun to interact with other people,” Johnson said. “There’s lots of things to do, not just to look at, but there’s lots of interactive stuff to do.”
The age groups attending the event range from kindergarteners to senior citizens. Everyone gets together to have fun and support the bands.
“I like seeing all the different ages of the groups of people coming. You have little kids that love Legos. You have older, grandmas and grandpas that love Legos. Just seeing everybody having fun, and the laughter, all the colorful atmosphere of it, it just makes it really fun to do something like this. It brings our community together and lets people know what we’re doing for the band in creating this event,” Johnson said.
Television Show “Lego Masters” participants Dawn Sloboda and Jack Schwarz took part in Brick Jam and displayed their work. Attending for the fourth and second year. They were both excited to reunite with other cast members and share their passion for Legos.
“I love seeing the excitement in the kids’ eyes of all kids of all ages, actually, and see some of the unique builds that people have. It’s so much fun to get people excited about being creative,” Sloboda said.
Both Lego Masters find the love for Lego to go beyond generations. Seeing the skills of kids of different ages is very special for Schwartz.
“I like looking at the kids’ builds and seeing what they’ve accomplished. It’s very interesting when you see the different grade levels and the abilities that each of them have. It’s progress,” Schwartz said.
From handing voting tickets to serving food, volunteers made it possible for Brick Jam to take place. Freshman Mollie Jacques volunteered for two years in the event, and won first place in the building competition for the past three years.
“It doesn’t feel like a fundraiser. It feels more like a place to have fun and you’re able to show your creativity and artistry through something that isn’t usually used to create,” Jacques said.
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