21decindex

Brandon Cooper 2004 T.T.T 2004 Extra Effort Award Winner

Toy Tractor Times 2004 Extra Effort Award

Michael G. Henry

Each year, collectors from all around the world have a dramatic impact on the farm toy hobby. This year, the Toy Tractor Times would like to honor one of the collectors that has had a positive influence on the hobby and has reached out to others with their service. This year’s award is . . .

Turning One’s Dream into Possibility and Reality

When Brandon Cooper was three years old, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a chronic disease that progressively weakens the body’s muscles. By the time he was seven, he would need a wheelchair to help him move around. Some people would wonder what one should do, but luckily for Brandon, a strong influence was always there.

Brandon’s grandfather, Wayne Cooper of Fombell, Pennsylvania, helped Brandon get into a van and trekked 450 miles, almost seven hours, to Lafayette, Indiana, to attend his very first farm toy show. This was the first of many, almost now uncountable, farm toy shows that they would attend together. During their journeys afar, they would meet other collectors and keep up to date on the latest developments in the hobby.

Many years have passed since that first trip to Indiana. Brandon’s grandfather has since sold his outstanding pedal tractor collection (but continues to collect and restore) and Brandon has grown into a fine young man. Going into his senior year at Riverside (Beaver County) High School, Brandon had the difficult decision to make on what type of senior project that he should embark on.

Brandon's Show Has Pedal Pulling and Displays

However, this Riverside Panther wasn’t just going to go through the motions. The hard work that was laid before him was in his genes, so he was going to go above and beyond your normal project. Brandon decided that he was going to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His decision was based on the past help that the association gave to him. When he was younger, they would send him to summer camps.

Along with helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he decided to also help an area that was hoping for a blast from the past. Brandon gave the farm toy hobby a boost in Western Pennsylvania by bringing back a farm toy show to the Beaver Falls area. Back in the early 1980’s, a man by the name of Charlie Baird held a very good farm toy show in Beaver Falls. Brandon decided to hold a farm toy show with all of the proceeds going to benefit Muscular Dystrophy.

For the second year in a row now, Brandon’s Farm Toy Show has brought collectors from all over the United States back to the area. His show in North Sewickley Township, at the Concord United Methodist Church, has helped both a charity and collectors gather to discuss the farm toy hobby. Brandon’s contribution to both the charity and farm toy hobby is impressive.

Selection of Toys at The Show

Brandon’s favorite toys have to be John Deere, most likely due to his father Greg’s influence. Many wonder if he would make Massey Harris a second place finisher since his grandfather has several nice Massey pieces! He has well over 150 farm toys and has displayed them at various venues, one of which was in downtown Zelienople, Pennsylvania, during the Christmas holiday.

Show Manager Brandon Cooper

Brandon enjoys collecting 1/64 farm toys due to the fact that you can get more for your money. He also buys different models and usually gets the ones that catch his eye.

^{To learn more about
Brandon's collecting and toy show visit Official
Brandon's Farm Toy Show Web Site .}

The Toy Tractor Times would like to congratulate Brandon Cooper of Fombell, Pennsylvania, as this year’s recipient of the first annual Extra Effort Award.

^{Brandon will}^receive^{a
chrome 2004 Rick Larsen Edition International 1086.}

Rick Larsen Edition Toy Tractor Times International 1086: Brandon Cooper the 2004 Winner