Local Love: Cheeriodicals & Barnsley Resort Support United Ability
Pre-K classroom with Cheeriodicals, Barnsley Resort Staff, and Event Participants
Introduction
As a Birmingham-based company, we love to host corporate giving events that have a local impact for charities that are close to our hearts. United Ability, an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy, is one such organization. This remarkable Birmingham non-profit is dedicated to providing innovative services that connect people with disabilities to their communities. For over 77 years, they’ve empowered individuals of all ages to live full and meaningful lives, fostering a world where disability is part of their story, but does not define them.
Earlier this summer, the Barnsley Resort contacted Cheeriodicals with the goal of adding a Corporate Social Responsibility aspect to their luncheon for local Birmingham event managers. After talking with the Barnsley team, we realized the perfect partnership for their group would be with United Ability. After some discussion with United Ability, we decided to plan a Cheeriodicals event benefiting the students in their Hand In Hand Early Learning Program classrooms.
United Ability Campus
Sharing Little Boxes & Producing Big Smiles
This event was a little different for Cheeriodicals. Usually, our participants are coworkers or employees of the same company coming together for a team building event. In this case, the participants weren’t all from the same sponsoring company; in fact, many were event managers from other Birmingham-based companies. This event shifted from being a team building experience to a community-building experience. Event coordinators from across the Birmingham area came together to provide a unique experience for an amazing resource in their city.
We love adapting our “traditional” events to the needs of our clients and charity partners. If there is a specific cause a company is passionate about, we want to work with you and develop an event that reflects what motivates your team. This particular event emulates our goal of bringing cheer and smiles to as many people as we can!
Event Manager building kits
While lunch was served, our team and the Barnsley Resort staff gave a brief presentation. We then explained what the group would be packing, how to assemble the Cheeriodicals, and where they’d be delivered. The next 45 minutes were spent engaging with participants and creating meaningful connections between people who had just met.
After assembling the Cheeriodicals, we had the opportunity to tour the amazing United Ability campus before personally delivering the Cheeriodicals to the Hand In Hand Pre-K students
Hand In Hand Classroom kids
During our campus tour, we saw firsthand how United Ability’s programming supports both adult and children’s programs. The early learning program brings together children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of all abilities to learn, play, and grow in a truly inclusive setting. On the adult side, participants develop essential life skills through classes, and with the guidance of dedicated staff, many move on to secure community jobs empowering them to live more independently.
After the children’s nap time, our group was allowed to deliver the newly packed Cheeriodicals to the children in the PreK classrooms. Full of laughter and awe, the children were not only appreciative of their unique gifts, but were excited to experience this with their classmates. Showing off their toys, playing with each other, and enjoying time with their new classroom visitors, the children of United Ability warmed all of our hearts.
During our campus tour, we saw firsthand how United Ability’s programming supports both adult and children’s programs. The Hand In Hand program brings together children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of all abilities to learn, play, and grow in a truly inclusive setting. On the adult side, participants develop essential life skills through classes, and with the guidance of dedicated staff, many move on to secure community jobs empowering them to live more independently.
After the children’s nap time, our group was allowed to deliver the newly packed Cheeriodicals to the children in the PreK classrooms. Full of laughter and awe, the children were not only appreciative of their unique gifts, but were excited to experience this with their classmates. Showing off their toys, playing with each other, and enjoying time with their new classroom visitors, the children of United Ability warmed all of our hearts.
Classroom kids playing with toys
Conclusion
Our first collaboration with United Ability was in 2017, so continuing this community partnership has been both a true pleasure and an inspiration. Working alongside the Barnsley Resort team and Birmingham area event coordinators, our team connected seamlessly to bring joy to the children at United Ability. Seeing the smiles of children as they discover a special gift designed to spread happiness is always a heartwarming experience. We look forward to our next event with United Ability and our incredible Birmingham Event Coordinators.
Written by: Erica Bennett
Photo: Cheeriodicals Footer
Curious About Cheeriodicals?
If you’re not already convinced to work with us after this story, we’d be thrilled to chat and share more! Let us be a part of your next team building experience!
We conduct corporate events for teams of 20 – 1,000+ attendees across the United States and Canada. Contact corporateplanner@cheeriodicals.com to see how we can help your team make a difference to those in need of some cheer near you!