After helping build more than 200 bikes and Big Wheels for local youth over the past six years, attendees at the National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) took time Wednesday to provide a different kind of summer fun for Michigan children.
The seventh annual “Make a Child Smile” community service event, sponsored by Adeptive Software, saw attendees put together Summer Fun Supply Kits, which will be delivered to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan.
“Being able to provide children in the local community with items that they wouldn’t be able to otherwise have is what this event is all about,” October Research, LLC Publisher and CEO Erica Meyer said. “We are happy to partner with Adeptive Software and encourage all attendees to take part in this charitable event.”
The kits were presented to a representative of the Boys & Girls Clubs during opening ceremonies Thursday at NS3, which is being conducted at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.
“Giving back and helping the communities of our customers and the industry overall is related to our core values as a company,” Adeptive Software president Bryan Buus said. “Adeptive is about more than just technology; our core values focus us on doing the right thing, encouraging balance outside of work, and improving the lives of our employees and our customers’ employees.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Make a Child Smile event during NS3, helping the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan provide a little something extra to make summer fun for kids.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, founded in 1926, provide high-quality programs for young people in their community. It has 10 clubs throughout the metropolitan Detroit area, focused on youths ages 6-18. They serve more than 15,000 children and young adults each year.
“Over our many years of operating to serve kids, we know that it takes a very large team of people to insure our members are prepared to become responsible, self-reliant, caring adults,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hervey Jenkins said. “Therefore, we are very grateful to Adeptive Software and October Research for partnering with us for their Make a Child Smile event. Thanks to their efforts, 500 kids from metro Detroit will be very much prepared for a fun-filled and safe summer break. The kits will allow our members to get outside, stay active, and be ready to face all the fun summer throws at them.”
Previous community service organizations participating in the Make a Child Smile event include: Texas Foster Care and Adoption Services, Charlotte Ronald McDonald House Charities, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, The St. Bernard Project and Ohio Guidestone.