Preston Yow (b.2009, Hong Kong)

Growing up in a family with three siblings, we learned the value of sharing. Many of my favorite childhood memories are tied to those shared moments—looking back at family photos, we’d often laugh at how the same toys found their way into each of our hands over the years. Our parents taught us to take care of what we had so others could enjoy it too, a lesson that stayed with me.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when extracurricular activities were canceled, I decided to use my free time to sort through toys we had outgrown. These toys were still in good condition, and I wanted to give them a meaningful second life.

That’s when I decided to create Public Goods.

Public Goods is a platform I founded to give underused toys a new purpose. I collect toys in any condition, clean and repair them, and donate them to charities that serve disadvantaged youth in Hong Kong. Beyond toys, I also sell shirts, stickers, and bags to support our mission, with all proceeds going to the Refugee Union.

One of my most memorable donations was a toy robot that arrived in poor condition. Its batteries had leaked, and it was covered in residue. I carefully cleaned it, replaced the batteries, and restored it to working condition. Seeing the toy in its renewed form and knowing it would bring joy to a new family was incredibly rewarding. That robot is just one of over 200 toys I’ve donated so far, each carrying the hope of creating happiness for someone else.