One of the benefits of owning a comic book/gaming store is the interaction with the customers. Many become family. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Watching your “children” grow up. Helping them learn new games. Watching them mature as players, and as people. That is the best part of what I do.

One of my children is sick. He has been a loyal part of ToyMan Collectables, and a wonderful addition to my family. Kyle Holzwart was recently diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue cancer), and he has had to endure many treatments of chemotherapy. As the medical bills mounted, we knew we had to do something. One of the leading parents in my store, Linn Boedeker, took it upon himself to get involved. He sent a letter to Upper Deck asking them to do something special for Kyle, who is a huge Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fan. He attends tournaments every week in my store, as well as traveling up to three hours to attend Regional events when he is feeling well enough. When Upper Deck received Linn’s letter, it was forwarded to my sales rep, William Estela, who called me and helped set things in motion.