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Biggest Hearts

F

or 26 years, Wonder Works

specialty toy store has served as a

springboard for fostering children’s

imaginations in order to give back to

the community.

“It’s a store, but it’s so much

more,” said owner Christine Osborne.

“Wonder Works is a platform for the youth in the commu-

nity and their philanthropic spirit.

It reaches well beyond just selling

girl scout cookies.”

An occupational therapist by trade, Osborne and late

co-owner Dan Morrisey felt

from the beginning that it

was important to emphasize

a giving and caring nature.

Their employees – known as

magic makers – have a twin-

kle in their eye and help every

customer feel that they are

in a wonderful place – they

leave happier than when they

arrived. The magic makers

also keep a keen eye out for

children who want to foster

their skills and actually help

them do so in an entrepre-

neurial way.

William Manzi, for example, is an 11-year-old who

came up with an idea to make fishing lures and sell them

to raise money for a cardiac program at MUSC in honor

of his grandfather.

“He told us about his idea. We gave him advice on how

to make it more marketable, gave him ideas for packaging

and display, and we gave him the opportunity to sell it in

our store,” beamed Osborne.

Manzi’s Lowcountry Lures is just one of many phil-

anthropical businesses fostered with the help of Wonder

Works: Abby’s Friends, Hugs for Harper, Keys for Hope;

and Lemon-Aidan also give back to charities that support

causes from fighting cancer to helping the homeless.

“We have found that you never tell a child no, because

you never know what door that will slam for the rest

of his life. Always help them with ideas because they’re

more encouraged to continue doing it in the future and

become an inspiration to others. If you foster their entre-

preneurial spirit from the beginning, you are equipping

them with tools to succeed in life and a passion to help

others,” she said.

Wonder Works hosts two major charitable events

annually, with many of these children-started businesses

in attendance: Wonderfest, which kicks off the Cooper

River Bridge Run, and the

largest free family festival in

Charleston.

Elfstravaganza will be held

Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

at Wonder Works’ Mount

Pleasant location. Partner-

ing with Belle Hall Shopping

Center, the town of Mount

Pleasant, Harris Teeter and Li-

cense to Play, Wonder Works

offers countless free activities

and holiday treats. Fifteen na-

tional toy companies will give

kids and adults the opportunity

to try the season’s hottest new items, and, in Wonder Works

fashion, every child will leave with a free toy.

“Just one child can make a difference. We don’t know

if the next child who walks through our doors might be

the next Bill Gates,” Osborne explained. “But the more

we can foster learning – teach them to look an adult in the

eye and ask ‘would you like to purchase this because the

money goes to this cause that is important to me’ – the

more we teach them to take the next step.”

Visit Wonder Works specialty toy store for the hottest

trending toys as well as local children’s philanthropical

products in Belle Hall Shopping Center. Experience the

magic.

WonderWorks Toys

Opening Doors

for Children

By Anne TOOLe

Photo courtesy of Wonder Works Toys.

Wonder Works hosts two major charitable events annually, with

many children-started businesses in attendance.