2018 Impact: A Year of Purpose-Driven Odyssey Teams Charity Activities and Team Building Transformation

 

 

 

A Year of Impact: What We Accomplished Together in 2018 with our Odyssey Teams Charity Activities

At Odyssey Teams, we believe team building should do more than strengthen collaboration - it should change lives. In 2018, that belief came to life in extraordinary ways. Through our LIVE and DIY programs, thousands of individuals and organizations came together to build not just stronger teams, but a better world.

Thanks to the passion, generosity, and commitment of 23,350 incredible participants, we delivered transformational experiences that blended professional development with real-world impact. These weren’t just events—they were moments of purpose, connection, and legacy.

Here’s a look at what we accomplished together through Odyssey Teams charity activities in 2018—and why it matters.

By the Numbers: A Snapshot of Global Good

• 6,000 prosthetic hands built and donated to people in need
• 4,000 sports kits assembled and delivered to kids
• 1,000 bicycles built and gifted to children without bikes
• 750 skateboards designed, built, and donated to youth
• 13 playhouses constructed and donated to families
• 28 states visited to deliver LIVE programs
• 10 countries reached through programs and product delivery
• 23,350 participants engaged in life-changing Odyssey Teams experiences

These numbers represent more than outputs—they represent stories, smiles, and shared purpose. Every hand built, every bike assembled, every kit packed was a moment of connection between teams and communities.

The Heart Behind the Hands

One of our most impactful programs, Helping Hands, empowers teams to build prosthetic hands for amputees around the world. In 2018 alone, 6,000 hands were assembled and delivered—each one restoring dignity, independence, and hope.

These hands weren’t built in factories. They were built in boardrooms, classrooms, and conference centers by teams learning to collaborate, communicate, and care.

Participants often tell us that Helping Hands is the most meaningful experience of their professional lives. And when they see photos or videos of recipients using the hands they built, the connection becomes unforgettable.

Wheels of Joy: Bikes and Skateboards

Through our Life Cycles and Board Meeting programs, teams built 1,000 bikes and 750 skateboards for children who had never owned one.

These aren’t just gifts—they’re tools of freedom. A bike means a child can get to school, visit friends, or explore their neighborhood. A skateboard means movement, expression, and joy.

And for the teams who build them, the experience is transformative. They see the direct impact of their effort. They hand the bike or board to a child. They witness the smile. And they walk away changed.

Sports Kits and Playhouses: Building Confidence and Comfort

In 2018, Odyssey Teams participants assembled 4,000 sports kits for kids—each one packed with gear, encouragement, and the message: “You matter.”

We also built 13 playhouses for families in need, creating safe, imaginative spaces for children to play, dream, and grow.

These projects remind us that small acts of kindness can have big ripple effects. They build confidence, comfort, and community—one kit, one playhouse, one child at a time.

Global Reach, Local Impact

Odyssey Teams delivered LIVE programs in 28 states and 10 countries in 2018. From corporate headquarters to rural schools, from leadership summits to student orientations, we brought purpose-driven team building to diverse audiences.

And wherever we went, the message was the same:
Your team can make a difference. Your work can have meaning. Your choices can change lives.

Whether we were fitting prosthetic hands in South Africa, delivering bikes in Oregon, or building playhouses in Texas, the impact was real—and the gratitude was overwhelming.

Why Odyssey Teams Charity Activities Work

What makes Odyssey Teams charity activities so powerful is their dual purpose:

• They challenge teams to collaborate, solve problems, and communicate effectively.
• They create tangible, meaningful outcomes for people in need.

This blend of professional development and social impact creates a feedback loop of purpose. Teams feel proud of their work. They see the results. They connect with each other and with the world.

And that connection doesn’t fade. It carries into the workplace, into relationships, and into how people show up every day.

Stories That Stay With Us

Behind every number is a story.

• A child in Mexico who received a skateboard and said, “Now I can ride with my brother.”
• A woman in India who received a prosthetic hand and used it to cook for her family for the first time in years.
• A team in California who built bikes and then cried as they handed them to children from a local shelter.

These stories remind us why we do what we do. They remind us that team building isn’t just about productivity—it’s about humanity.

Looking Ahead to 2019

As we moved into 2019, our commitment only deepened. We began creating, testing, and refining new experiences to deliver even greater impact.

Expect more:

• Innovative formats for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events
• Expanded DIY kits for remote teams
• New CSR components that align with your company’s values
• Deeper storytelling and reflection tools to amplify learning

We’re committed to helping your team grow stronger, more connected, and more purpose-driven—while making a real difference in the world.

Final Thoughts: Building More Than Teams

In 2018, we didn’t just build hands, bikes, kits, and playhouses. We built trust. We built culture. We built hope.

And we did it together—with 23,350 people who chose to make their team building experience matter.

If you’re inspired by what we accomplished in 2018, imagine what we can do in the years ahead. Whether you’re planning a leadership retreat, a company-wide kickoff, or a student orientation, Odyssey Teams charity activities offer a way to build culture and community at the same time.

Let’s build something that lasts. Let’s build something that matters.

About Odyssey Teams

Odyssey Teams has been designing radically different approaches to leadership development, team building, and organizational culture since 1991. Our programs are global, award-winning, and rooted in purpose.

• Over 50,000 prosthetic hands delivered to amputees in 75+ countries
• Over 20,000 bicycles built and donated to underprivileged children
• 80% of our clients are repeat or referred—a testament to lasting impact

To learn more or bring Odyssey Teams to your next event, contact us at (800) 342-1650.