Deloitte’s Day at the Rodeo

Steve Poe helps with the super-size bowling game.

Steve Poe helps with the super-size bowling game.

It wasn’t a typical day at the ranch for Hephzibah’s group home residents on Friday, June 10th. For one thing, a Llama was grazing on the front lawn. Add to the mix a colorful bouncy house, a dunk tank, ponies, carnival games, face painting, cotton candy and 26 excited children and you have one unforgettable end-of-school-year celebration.

Hephzibah’s special day, fondly known as the Rodeo, rewards kids for all those long afternoons dedicated to homework. This year 20 volunteers from Deloitte helped spin cotton candy, man the grill and assist with games as part of the firm’s Impact Day 2016 – one day each year when employees have an opportunity to take time off from Deloitte work to help members of their community.

“I have had a great experience as a volunteer at Hephzibah over the past few years and really wanted to introduce Hephzibah to my colleagues,” said Steve Poe, a partner with Deloitte Advisory. As a HeartMate to a boy in the Group Home, Poe visits with him each week to hang out, go on outings and be a good listener.

“I know our team enjoyed spending time with the kids and learning more about Hephzibah,” Poe said. “These are great kids.”

Megan Feinberg, a member of Hephzibah’s Western Auxiliary Board and current treasurer, was also part of the Deloitte team. She enjoyed sharing her love of Hephzibah with her Deloitte coworkers.

The Deloitte team worked alongside 30 members of the Huskie Helpers, an Oak Park River Forest High School service group. Huskies did much of the planning and behind-the-scenes work of invitations, signs, and setup. They also partnered with kids to help them navigate all the Rodeo activities.

Warm, sunny weather made the dunk tank a popular attraction this year. Kids formed two lines – one to throw balls at the target and one to sit on the perch inside the tank and await a plunge into refreshing water. Volunteers stayed busy helping kids in and out of the tank! If you’re interested in getting your coworkers involved with a project at Hephzibah, contact Marissa Grott at mgrott@hephzibahhome.org

 

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