Looking to learn something new? Join Carolina Adapts Toys for Children (CATCH) weekly to help adapt toys for children with special needs! PR Chair Katie Chai shares more about the team:
- What is CATCH all about?
CATCH (Carolina Adapts Toys for Children) is a student-run non profit organization at UNC that adapts the internal circuitry of toys for children with special needs. Our goal is to “catch” the kids that fall through the mainstream toy market.
- How do you help students?
I wouldn’t say we help (UNC) students directly, but we utilize engineering, creativity, and innovation to give back to the community while also raising awareness about underrepresented communities and their needs. We were founded in November 2018, and donated hundreds of toys to local partners (hospitals, rehabilitation centers, etc.)
- What do you like most about being a member of CATCH?
An average CATCH member will come to our weekly meeting (Tuesday, from 6:30-8 PM) and adapt toys with us! We teach our members how to solder and understand basic circuitry so they can adapt the toys themselves or with the help of prewritten guides. My favorite part of being a member (more specifically part of the EXEC team) is delivering the toys at the end of each semester. During our most recent delivery, I was able to meet a girl who would use the toy in her physical therapy session. This was extremely meaningful to me.
- Favorite toy you have adapted?
I love adapting the firetruck! I think it’s one of our classic toys. We are actually creating special firetruck edition merch to fundraiser to buy more toys.
- How can students get involved?
Any student (no matter their major) can come in to help us adapt the toys. No experience is required. We will teach you everything you need to know. We also need money to buy the toys we are adapting, so if anyone wants to donate to our GoFundMe, we would appreciate it! For $20 you can buy a toy that we will adapt for free and donate! All funds will go directly to this cause! You can also visit our website for more info.