In early December, members of the hc1 Communities team took a few hours out of their Thursday afternoon to participate in the We Care Event at the local Boys and Girls Club on the east side of Indianapolis. We Care is an event put on in various U.S. locations every year by the commercial furniture manufacturer, Herman Miller. The Indianapolis event was hosted by Office Works, a division of Herman Miller that works with businesses to create a unique and collaborative work place. This annual event aims to bring businesses and local children together by providing a holiday themed craft for the children at the Boys and Girls Club to create and take home.
The hc1 volunteers found a unique craft that was simple enough for children of all ages to make: holiday bell ornaments. Ahead of the event, we gathered at our Zionsville headquarters to assemble the bells, prepping them for the children to decorate. Pipe cleaners, bells, and small clay pots were the simple ingredients to create a blank creative canvas. The day of the event, we quickly set up our table and anxiously awaited the children’s grand entrance. The Boys and Girls Club gymnasium was filled with different craft tables, including personalized coasters, plates, face painting, and balloon animals. Christmas music, a giant tree, and a visit from Santa himself completed the festive scene.
When the children entered, they were escorted by volunteers to help them carry their goodies. It didn’t take long for the hc1 table to become a popular spot. During the 2-hour event, there was a steady stream of kids decorating their bells. Using all colors of glitter glue, children wrote their names, shapes, designs and drew pictures of all sorts.
One valuable lesson that we all learned that day was patience. Glitter glue does not dry quickly, especially in large quantities, so the kids leave their newly decorated bells at the table to dry while they completed other crafts. After what was surely “forever” to the kids, we discovered that placing the bells in Styrofoam cups allowed the kids to easily transport their new ornaments home without getting ruined.
It would be a lie to say that the children had all the fun. We had a blast taking pictures, meeting other groups, helping the children, and even decorating a few of our own bells. hc1 Communities had such a blast at the We Care event and we can't wait to make this an annual volunteer opportunity!
