Like a lightning flash, COVID struck the world with titanic force, destroying homes, families, and businesses. “Normal” as we knew it ended, and many of us in corporate America are still fighting to survive. Not surprisingly though, many entrepreneurs realize that the best lifesavers involve saving others. That’s when charitable team building is a lifeline—when you reach out to help the needy, you also save yourself.
A huge impact on the smallest victims
More than half a million Americans have died of COVID-19—a number that has our heads and hearts reeling with grief and horror. But the devastating affect on our children is almost impossible to measure.
The Wall Street Journal reported, “The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis has hit children on multiple fronts. Many have experienced social isolation during lockdowns, family stress, a breakdown of routine, and anxiety about the virus. School closures, remote teaching, and learning interruptions have set back many at school. Some parents have had job and income losses, creating financial instability—and exacerbating parental stress. Thousands of children have lost a parent or grandparent to the disease….the more major traumas and stressful situations a child experiences, the deeper the impact will be.”
And to compound the problem, kids are suffering from domestic violence triggered by newly unemployed parents who are frightened and angry. They were also victims of house fires caused by families who cooked more while on lockdown. They’re witnessing more physical assaults, gun violence, and road rage from furious, frustrated adults because of the pandemic. And for these youngsters, the emotional fallout is horrendous.
Eye-witnesses to pain and sorrow
First responders are heroes in ways you’d never imagine. These champions are law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. And every day they rush to the aid of terrified domestic violence victims. They run into blazing houses to rescue families and douse the flames. They confront dangerously impaired drivers, deranged pedestrians, and gun-wielding predators.
And they do all of this while children are watching—young eye-witnesses to pain and sorrow. They see things no child should have to face. See things they can never unsee.
Stuffing with healing
Mercifully, when many of these First Responders roll out, they’re prepared to help a lot of these little ones. How? With a stash of our Rescue Buddies awaiting new owners.
Rescue Buddies are toys created during one of Magnovo’s most popular charitable team building workshops. They’re bears, birds, lions, porpoises, tortoises, and mooses stuffed with love and healing. Each one is assembled by workshop participants who engage in friendly competitions to quickly produce the cutest, cuddliest toys. And in the end, everybody wins!
Kindness is a cure-all
After months of pandemic pressure and Zoom fatigue, returning to the office may be stressful as well. Rescue Buddy workshops are textbook examples of when charitable team building is a lifeline. Each session can ease the transition back into the workplace and help rebuild professional bridges and personal relationships.
And believe it or not, stuffed animal therapy is a thing! According to the experts at bearegards.com, “… a stuffed animal is not just a toy but a way beyond it. Children start their first relationship playing with stuffed animals or their favorite teddy bear. Yes, that’s scientifically proven. Children will give them a good name & also assign them new characteristics. With this strong bonding with the toy, they learn new things like how to care, how to socialize, how to share and how to empathize with another person.”
And remember: in the end, everybody wins! These cuddly blessings heal the hearts of corporate teammates, First Responders, and the children who hug them. And right now, everyone needs help to heal and move forward.