65 members of Merck’s S&CMI group ended a full day of meetings with a Build-A-Bike® Team-Building Event in Philadelphia, PA, held in-house at Merck’s North Wales campus. Teams built 10 bikes, and each one was safety-inspected and ready to ride. Every bike went to the YMCA’s scholarship program for children in need. A few of those kids came to pick out their bikes in person.
Merck is a global healthcare company with a major presence in the Philadelphia area. Its employees take giving back seriously. Every participant wore a T-shirt that read “Merck Gives Back | Volunteer | Contribute | Connect.”
Merck’s S&CMI Team Donates 10 Bikes During Build-a-Bike® Team-Building Event in Philadelphia, PA
The S&CMI group had spent the whole day in its Face-to-Face Meeting, going through one information session after another. By late afternoon, the group was ready for something different.
Mary McKay, Associate Director of Innovation at Merck, introduced Leaders Institute trainer Michelle Riklan, and the energy changed quickly. The warm-up started with a co-worker appreciation exercise, followed by a memory challenge and a “ball roll” that made teams sort out their roles and think through a strategy together. The room filled with laughter right away.
Then came the build. Teams solved problems to earn their bike parts, with plenty of laughter and some frustration along the way. Teams that had worked out their roles in the warm-up put that to use as they built. By the end, all 10 bikes were built, inspected, and lined up.
Kids From the YMCA Pick Out Their Bikes
A representative from the YMCA explained how the scholarship program supports kids in need. Then a few of those kids walked in and picked out the bikes they wanted. The day ended with grateful kids and smiling Merck employees, and for once a long day of meetings ended on a high note.
Thank You, Merck
We’d like to thank Mary McKay and Merck’s S&CMI group for ending their meeting day with Build-A-Bike®, and the YMCA for bringing kids from its scholarship program to receive the bikes.
If you’re interested in having a meaningful experience at your next team event, contact us about hosting a Build-a-Bike® event in Philadelphia.
