Starbucks brought together a group of thirty team members for a Build-A-Bike® charity team building event in Newport News, VA. The Saturday morning event took place at The Mariners’ Museum and Park and supported children from military and veteran families throughout the area. Even with the early start time, the group showed up ready to compete, collaborate, and make a difference. By the end of the event, the team completed fifteen bicycles that would soon head home with deserving local kids through Blue Star Families.
Starbucks describes itself as being in the people business serving coffee. The company focuses heavily on creating opportunities for employees, who are known internally as partners. Starbucks encourages team members to grow within their careers while also making a positive impact in their communities. The organization values inclusion and supports veterans, individuals with disabilities, and diverse communities. Blue Star Families works to strengthen military-connected families through support programs, community resources, and family-focused initiatives across the country. The Build-A-Bike® program, hosted by The Leaders Institute®, gives teams the opportunity to compete in hands-on challenges while assembling bicycles that are donated to local children and families in need.
Starbucks Team Members Build Bikes for Local Military Families During Team Building Charity Event in Newport News
The event gave Starbucks partners a fun and relaxed way to spend time together outside of work while supporting an important cause. Teams jumped into the challenges quickly and started working together to earn bike parts and complete their builds. The room stayed upbeat the entire morning as groups encouraged one another and celebrated every finished bicycle. Since many participants did not regularly work side by side, the activity created a natural way for people to connect through teamwork and friendly competition.
The final donation moment brought everything together. The completed bicycles went directly to children from military and veteran families through Blue Star Families. Daniela Hines played a huge role in coordinating the experience and helping secure Starbucks as the sponsor for the event. Families attended the bike giveaway in person, which gave participants the chance to see the direct impact of their work. Jeremy Siegel also helped create a welcoming atmosphere that kept the event running smoothly from start to finish. The fifteen donated bikes will provide recreation, transportation, and memorable moments for military-connected children throughout the community.
Starbucks would like to thank The Leaders Institute® for organizing such an engaging and meaningful charity team building experience. We’d also like to thank Blue Star Families and Daniela Hines for the incredible work they continue to do for military and veteran families in the Newport News community.