DIRECTORS OF FUN

Corporate Social Responsibility Team Building

TEAM BUILDING WITH A HIGHER PURPOSE:  R&D Events recently had the opportunity to partner again with our good friends at EPI-USE to produce a custom Corporate Social Responsibility event that we dubbed “The Ultimate Charity Challenge”.   A blend of high energy, interactive games paired in a partnership with local charities made this a truly unique and rewarding experience for every attendee.  With the event taking place at the Marriott Harbor Beach in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, R&D Events sought out four local charities that were making an impact in South Florida and designed an interactive game show that would not only be fun, but rewarding for all who attended.

EVENT OVERVIEW Throughout the course of two hour event, participants competed in a variety of games that were not only highly engaging, but served a deeper purpose.  We kicked the event off with a one hour game show that included music trivia, Minute to Win It inspired games, as well as an over-the-top version of our award-winning musical chair scavenger hunt game (always a crowd favorite).  This first hour was designed to help raise the energy level in the room as well as allow the attendees and their families (spouses and children are encouraged to attend) to simply let loose.  Following the game show portion of the event, we invited each of the selected charities up on stage for a one-on-one interview with our emcee.  This allowed the audience to learn a little bit more about each charity and how their donation will benefit the local area.  Following each interview, the audience would then engage in an activity that would benefit each cause.  The selected charities and their partnered games were as follows:

• Women in Distress of Broward County:  WID is a local women’s shelter that provides a safe haven for battered and abused women.  We designed a game called “Tower of Hope” in which participants were given toilet paper, paper towels and tissue boxes and were instructed to build the tallest structure using only those items.  The team with the tallest structure would win the game and would be awarded with the privileged of presenting the $1,000donation check to the charity.   Following the event, all of the toiletry items (along with an additional $1,500 in sheets, pillows, and other “wish list” items) were donated and delivered to the shelter.

• The Humane Society of Broward County:  Following the Humane Society’s presentation, which included a cameo appearance from “Digger the Dog” (the Humane Society mascot), teams were provided with a basket filled with either cat or dog toys that they would then need to transform into a stylish, gift basket.  Following the game, all of the gift baskets were donated to the Humane Society, who in-turn, will use them as gifts for people who adopt a dog or cat from their shelter.  In addition to the gift baskets, we also partnered with EPI-USE to donate a state-of-the-art HD camera as well as a friend for “Digger the Dog”.  As with all of the charities, we sat down with the staff at the Humane Society and asked them, “what do you really need?”  Their response, “Scratchers”; a cat mascot that we can use for presentations at schools and charity events.  So, we got them a mascot…definitely one of the most unique and memorable donations we have ever made.

• The Everglades Foundation:  This organization is helping to restore the Everglades, a fragile and neglected ecosystems that not only supports the 7 million people living in Southern Florida with drinking water, but the nearly 100 million tons of produce that the US consumes each year.  Since a monetary donation was most needed by this charity, we decided to onve again include a partnership with Women in Distress for their charitable game.  So, we had teams assemble a 2′ x 5′ , 48-piece puzzle that depicted images from the Everglades.  Following the game, all of the puzzles were donated to the Women in Distress children’s therapy room, and the Everglades Foundation were provided with a check for $1,500.

• Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation:  We saved what we believed would be our most impactful presentation for the end, as we knew that their message would would truly touch the hearts of everyone in the room.  The JJCCF serves a truly noble cause within Southern Florida; children with cancer.  Their mission is to help support families who are struggling to make end’s meet as they care for their child who is battling cancer.   The stories told by the presenters had everyone in the room moved, including the team at R&D Events.  Following their presentation, all of the children in the room gathered up on stage to present a $2,500 check to the JJCCF which received a standing ovation.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY R&D Events considers themselves blessed to have the opportunity to partner with clients that have a passion for giving back.  Corporate Social Responsibility is not a fad; it is a way of life for some companies.  And even in a troubled economy, it is so moving to see companies like EPI-USE donate a portion of their bottom-line and give back to a community like Ft. Lauderdale that is truly in need.  The impact from this event will surely stick with us for years to come.

MORE INFORMATION If you are looking to design a custom event with charitable ties, R&D Events can help.  We are the leaders in Corporate Social Responsibility events and we travel throughout the United States partnering with local charities and organizations that have a passion for their communities. Contact us today to learn more!