An amazing feat of teamwork turned out twenty bicycles for area kids on a sunny summer day in San Francisco, CA. Blue Star Families coordinated a charity team building event with CarMax. Our Bike-A-Thon™ program gives participants a chance to build collaborative skills through improved communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal connections. Participating organizations build bicycles for children served by area charities.

CarMax Kicks Off Bike-A-Thon™ in San Francisco, CA

We met with the folks from CarMax offices across the central California area at AT&T Park. They were enthusiastic and ready to get to work. After a few ice breaker games, we were joined by members of the San Francisco Giants organization. The friendly competition increased greatly, and it was all in good fun for a good cause, with both sides cheered on by a surprise appearance by the Giants’ mascot Lou Seal, and pitcher George Kontos.

Teams compete for bicycles parts and tools. These games help develop teamwork skills like conflict resolution and delegation. Each of the ten teams assembled two bicycles in the allotted time. As folks took photos with Lou Seal and George Kontos, we arranged the bikes for delivery to the military families served by the Blue Star Families. And unbeknownst to all but a few, the best surprise was yet to come!

Blue Star Families Benefit from the Bike-A-Thon™

Little did any of the CarMax or Giants employees know, but there was a special group of families getting a behind-the-scenes tour of AT&T Park that day. As these families came around the corner into the area overlooking the stadium where we’d been working, we surprised the kids with their new bicycles!

These kids were just as shocked as the Bike-A-Thon™ participants, and equally as excited. There were plenty of smiles, tears, pictures, and cheers that day. We wrapped up the program with a pizza lunch. And then we spent some time coaching and encouraging these children as they practiced riding their new bikes.

Teamwork Makes the Difference

The folks from CarMax and the Giants organization had an unforgettable day using teamwork to make a real difference in the lives of area kids.  The Blue Star Families’ arrangements for the day achieved all of their goals. The organizations they partnered with gained important soft skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Meanwhile, San Francisco-area children served by Blue Star Families received bicycles, a small token of support in gratitude for the sacrifices they make.