A few years back, a group of volunteers gathered in our warehouse in Houston. There were boxes of underwear to sort, tape guns going strong, and boxes being broken down for recycling. On the surface, it was your typical volunteer shift: Tape, pack, repeat.
But about an hour in, something shifted.
Conversations started bubbling up, work stories, childhood memories, questions about how Undies for Everyone started. Someone asked how many kids were getting underwear that week and someone else shared how they grew up in a house where new underwear was a once-a-year luxury.
And just like that, it became more than sorting boxes.
It became a connection. It became purpose. It became the kind of moment that sticks with you.
We didn’t call it “team building.” But that’s exactly what it was.
So—what is team building, really?
Corporate workshops have kind of ruined the term. Say “team building” and people think of trust falls, personality quizzes, or being forced to build a marshmallow tower out of spaghetti.
But at its heart, team building just means creating meaningful experiences that bring people closer, experiences that turn coworkers into collaborators, volunteers into advocates, and staff into something more like family.
It’s not about games. It’s about glue.
Why team building matters
Nonprofit work is fueled by heart. But heart, as we know, can get tired.
When your job or your volunteer shift revolves around helping others, it’s easy to forget that you need help too—support, connection, a moment to breathe and laugh and feel like you’re not in this alone.
Team building, in its best form, reminds us why we’re here. Why do we do this together? Why does it matter that we are together?
At Undies for Everyone, our team is a mix, staff, volunteers, donors, interns, community partners. Some pack boxes, some keep the lights on and some brainstorm better ways to serve.
And while we’re all doing different things, we’re rowing the same boat.
Team building isn’t one-size-fits-all
You don’t need matching T-shirts or a scenic retreat. Some of the most powerful moments happen during the simplest activities.
Like:
- Volunteering together at a local nonprofit.
- Sharing stories over coffee after a long packing session.
- Brainstorming ideas on a whiteboard and accidentally starting a movement.
- Playing a round of “What’s something most people don’t know about you?”
- Walking together. Laughing together. Listening, really listening, to each other.
The point isn’t perfection. It’s presence.
Team building happens any time people pause long enough to be human with each other.
What it looks like at Undies for Everyone
We don’t schedule “team bonding” on our calendars.
But it shows up on a regular basis.
It shows up when a volunteer shares why they care so much about underwear (it’s always a better story than you expect), when our staff huddles around a packing table to swap ideas, jokes, and logistical puzzles.
Team building happens when someone suggests a wild new distribution idea, and instead of saying no—we say “Let’s try it.”
That’s the beauty of team building when it’s baked into the culture. It doesn’t feel forced, it just is.
The ripple effect
Here’s what we’ve noticed.
When people feel connected, they stay longer and give more. They share ideas that we never would’ve thought of in a boardroom.
They remember that this work is worth doing not just because it helps kids, but because it reminds us who we are, too.
Stronger teams do better work.
Better work reaches more kids.
More kids get the dignity and confidence that comes with clean underwear.
Simple. Profound. Connected.
Want to build something stronger with your team?
You don’t need a consultant or a retreat.
Start with these:
- Talk. Ask your team what connection looks like for them.
- Make space. Even 15 minutes can shift the energy of a long day.
- Serve together. Volunteerism builds bonds because shared purpose is a powerful thing.
- Reflect. After any activity, pause. What worked? What did you learn about each other?
- Keep it real. Team building doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to be true.
And this is where it all loops back
Every pair of underwear we send out into the world is touched by a team.
Not one person. Not one leader.
A team.
That team might be made up of staff, interns, donors, or a group of middle schoolers packing boxes for community service hours.
But together, they make something good happen.
Together, they remind us that community is built one connection at a time.
Ready to build something better—together?
If you’re looking for a way to bring your team together, consider hosting a volunteer day with Undies for Everyone. You’ll pack underwear, sure. But you’ll also build trust, share laughs, and maybe walk away a little more connected than when you arrived.
