Monday, November 11, 2013

Caine's Arcade - Promoting Creativity

One of the things I love is stumbling across something across something new, particularly if it is heart warming leaving you with that warm and fuzzy feeling.

How It Started

This one came from one of my friends back home saying that I had to watch this video and go check out this video. I defy you to watch it and not choke up even a little bit! 


Once I saw it I knew that I had to go visit.



 One of the things  didn't realise at the time thought was that it is not open every weekend. Three times I had decided to go, and found that it was going to be closed that particular weekend. 

Then, my family came into town, and I was planning a weekend trip to sightsee in LA, I thought it would be the ideal time to finally go and visit Caine's arcade. After a little research I not only found that it was going to be open, but also that it was going to be the last day that Caine would be opening his aracde, and also his 11th birthday celebrations.

We all did what you absolutely had to do and bought a fun pass. It was fun entering into the imagination of Caine, and playing on the games that he made in his spare time because of his vision. There were mazes and a claw machine, a basketball hoop and a table top hockey table.
Mum with Caine's Brother
Caine's family were all there helping out on the last day. His Mum & his Dad were obviously very proud of everything that their little boy had achieved, and were amazed where this whole project had taken him. But also looking on proudly and very unassuming was Caine's older brother. 

What Happened Next

Well, this little film went viral and gained momentum. More than anyone thought was possible. Out of the mind of one little boy, the Imagination Foundation was born, and Caine found himself traveling the country.

Another inspirational event developed for this is the Global Cardboard Challenge of which there have now been two. Children from around the world have been encourage to participate and get creative by unleashing their imaginations.

As for Caine, the hope was to set up a scholarship fund for his university education. He has been offered scholarships already and the money has gone further to help so many more children. But for right now, he is working on his plans for a bicycle shop :)

Modeling the merchandise!
A nod has to be given to Nirvan Mullick, the film maker who stumbled across Caine's Arcade when buying a handle for his car, and saw the potential to make the beautiful film to start with, and arranged a special day that would go on to change a young boy's life.

One of the most amazing aspects of the day, is showing up there with a load of random strangers from around the world that came together to this one small car parts shop on a back street in West LA, for a common cause - We Came To Play!! :)

More information can be found on Caine's Website: http://cainesarcade.com/ and/or Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/cainesarcade?fref=ts

My star of the show: Miss Bieny, my Beautiful Goddaughter!