The Kindness Workshop
Bring Comfort and Hope Through Team Building
During the Kindness Workshop, you and your team will have the opportunity to create comfort and a feeling of safety for children in need.
Some children experience trauma like losing their home to a storm or fire. In the chaos that follows, the first hero they come in contact with is a first responder. That kind firefighter or police officer hands the child a soft, cuddly teddy bear. Suddenly, amidst the fear and confusion, they have something to hold onto—something to help them feel safe again. This is the power of a teddy bear in a child’s most vulnerable moment, and because of you, the first responder will have terry bears to share.
Teddy bears have been a universal symbol of comfort since their invention in 1903. In this unique and meaningful activity, your group will work together to craft these comforting companions for children facing traumatic situations. Divided into smaller teams of 4-6 people, participants will engage in exciting team-building challenges to earn the parts needed to assemble plush animals. Not only will you bond with your teammates as you create these heartfelt gifts, but you’ll also make a lasting impact on your local community.
At the end of this hands-on and rewarding 1-2 hour event, the bears your team creates will be donated to the local emergency services organization of your choice. These organizations distribute the bears to children experiencing emergencies, offering them a little piece of comfort during challenging times. So, come together, have fun, and know that your efforts will bring smiles and hope to kids when they need it most.
The teddy bears are donated to first responders (fire fighters, police officers) and members of our social services.
“We had fun sharing the photos with other teams and posting them on Facebook!”
Program Stats:
Group size: 6-300+
Program Length: 1-2 hours
Suggested Team Size: 4 is optimal, 3-6 is fine
Space requirements: Meeting Room
Program Location: Inside
What is the best team size?
We typically recommend teams of 5. However, teams of 3-6 can also work well. 7 or more people per team will not be as engaging for all of the participants.
Is it better to predetermine the members of the teams or randomly assign people to teams?
The answer to this question depends upon your goal for the session. If you have multiple groups coming in who don’t know each other well, you may want to set people up to network with new people. If your group knows each other well, random teams are just fine. It’s also fine if you want people to self-select their teams.
Who forms the teams?
We can randomize small groups on the spot, but for groups larger than 20 people, we recommend you form the teams ahead of time. If you are preselecting the teams, we suggest you disseminate this information to the participants either at the program or before the event. We do not recommend reading off of a list at the beginning of the program.
What is the typical length of the program, and is this flexible?
A typical program runs 1.5-2 hours. Time can be flexed by 15-20 minutes in either direction.
How much set-up time is needed?
It takes one hour to unpack and set up for 8 teams. 9-20 teams require 2 hours. 21-50 teams require 3 hours.
We’re using our meeting room all day. Can the set-up be done in another room and moved in during our break?
This is possible if the room is very close and carts are available. Also, there needs to be a long enough break to give us the time to move all of the training materials. A minimum half-hour break is required, but this could vary based on the group size.
What are the room requirements?
The ideal set up is one 60” round table with linens and chairs for each team. Three 8’ rectangular tables for program supplies for every 10 teams. Also, a screen, projector, sound system and microphone (for groups larger than 30) are needed.
Where do the bears go?
Bears can go to a local police or fire department. Hospitals generally do not accept non-sterilized plush animals.
Can we have more than just bears?
There is a variety of plush animals we can pick from. Please choose bears only or a variety of animals. The options are overwhelming if we were to provide you with a menu. Please trust our experience to select an appropriate variety if that option is chosen. All animals come in several colors, even just bears, and we will bring sufficient options for participants.
Can we choose our own charity?
Yes! You can pick the charity and we will coordinate all of the logistics for you.
Can we meet a representative from our charity?
That is the goal! We strive to have a member of your charity come to the event and speak about the impact of your donation. This is subject to their availability, based on whether current emergencies are happening.
Can this be done outdoors?
In theory, yes, but we don’t recommend it. Be sure to account for the weather and have a backup plan.
Can this be done while drinks and appetizers are being served?
We don’t recommend it since drinks could be spilled on the bears and ruin the item.
How much clean-up time is needed?
We typically remove all of our supplies from the room within a half hour of the program’s end. Larger group sizes may require more time.
Other Programs We Recommend
