News Release
Contact
Nicole S. Rowe
Administrative Assistant,
Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
nicole.s.rowe@wilmu.edu
Wilmington University Academic Advisors Build Bicycles for Kids in Need
Each year Wilmington University advisors and site managers get together for an annual retreat to discuss goals and initiatives, but this year’s meeting was a little different. As part of a team building exercise coordinated by the organization Team Builders Plus, the University employees worked together to build seven bicycles, which were then presented to seven children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware.
Dr. Doreen Turnbo, Director of Academic Advising at Wilmington University, helped organize the event. “It was a great surprise because the children who arrived from Big Brothers Big Sisters did not know they were receiving bicycles, and the advisors and site managers who built the bikes, did not know the children were coming.”
The event was planned after Dr. Turnbo contacted Team Builders Plus looking for an innovative team building exercise that would also give back to the community. Team Builders Plus, an organization aimed at facilitating team-building activities for groups large or small, then helped her pick a program known as ‘Wheels For the World’. The program encourages employees to work in groups to do ‘Survivor’ style challenges in order to construct a bike.
“We hold events just like this all across the country,” said Merrick Rosenberg, representative for Team Builders Plus, “It’s a great team building exercise with an even greater reward, when the employees get to present these bicycles to the children.”
Rosenberg and the team at Team Builders Plus helped put Dr. Turnbo in contact with Jeanne Kasey, Public Relations Manager from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children and youth. Kasey was thrilled at the opportunity and began searching for children with the greatest need
At the annual retreat Wilmington University employees worked throughout the day doing brainteasers, crafts, and problem solving puzzles in order to gain more bicycle parts. “We’ve worked well as a team,” said Thomas Hurd, Assistant Site Manager of Wilmington University’s Graduate Center, “We’ve gotten frustrated together but we finally pulled through.”
When all was said and done seven radiant, red bicycles complete with balloons, bells and helmets were standing before them.
Merrick Rosenberg then told all the employees to close their eyes and imagine the faces of the kids that may one day receive these bicycles. When they opened their eyes, the doors opened and seven children walked in guided by their parents. The room erupted into applause.
“We had no idea the bicycles were being presented today,” said Peg Mitchell, Student Success Center Manager at Wilmington University, “This is phenomenal and building these bikes was totally fun. I had my abilities tested, I truly did not know I could put a bike together.”
Dr. Betty Caffo, Vice President of Wilmington University and Provost, welcomed the children and their families saying, “We hope you have had a great day and an even better day when you roll out of here on your new set of wheels. I would like to thank all the academic advisors and site managers who worked hard today to build these bicycles and make a difference in the lives of these children.”
Jeanne Kasey from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware shared in the excitement. “I know the hard work that the employees put into this has brought great joy to these children,” said Kasey, “this is an early Christmas for them and we are very thankful to Wilmington University for choosing our organization for this event.”
When asked why the academic advisors chose to do this activity as part of the retreat Dr. Turnbo replied, “I simply felt that, although, the retreat is meant to improve communication, build trust and enhance morale, we should also do something that takes us outside of ourselves.” She hopes the event will inspire more community centered activities. “I just wanted to include something in our annual retreat that would give back, even if it was in a small way,” she said.
To see more pictures visit http://www.wilmu.edu/ur/multimedia/galleries/slideshow.aspx?pSetID=72157622494207257.
