WORCESTER, Mass. - Peter Panagiotou’s collection of trading cards represents more than just a hobby. Panagiotou is the face behind Pay it Forward Card Shows, a monthly event featuring more than 35 vendors showcasing and selling their own collection of cards and memorabilia.

“When you go to my show, you can buy a card for $0.10, or you can buy a Michael Jordan card or Tom Crady card for $50,000 or more,”  Panagiotou said. 

Panagiotou said the hobby stretches across generations, whether you’re trading a Pokeman card or scoring big on a one-of-a-kind rookie card.

“When you go in that room, it’s all one room. It’s just magic,” he said. “Everyone is buying, selling and trading. It’s just total mojo in those rooms. I walk in there and I just feel comfortable.”

Panagiotou is no stranger to the card game. Buying, selling and trading cards was a part of his childhood, growing up in the city of Worcester.

“We ripped packs before they knew what ripping was all about,” he said. “We did that a long time ago guys. You guys are just copying what we did in the 60’s. My dad and I used to go through the cards and he would tell me stories.”

He now owns up to 10,000 cards, but that’s far from his favorite part about what he does. Panagiotou donates admission money from his shows to the Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation, providing school athletic programs in Massachusetts access to health and safety equipment.  

“The cards are only a vehicle. It’s necessary to be on the table, so these miracles and magic can happen,” he said, “It’s not about me.”

Now in his ninth month of shows, Panagiotou has raised more than $3,000 for the foundation and like the name suggests he plans to keep paying it forward.

“My knees were shaking when I first walked in and I was going up to table and now it’s just a lot of love,” Panagiotou said. 

The next card show is this Sunday at the Leominster-Fitchburg Lodge of Elks from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.