Noble Energy, offshore oil rig specialist, held a Rescue Bear Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana, that provided 35 stuffed animals for first responders to carry on their emergency vehicles. The stuffed animals are used by EMTs, paramedics, firemen and police officers to comfort children that are in traumatic situations. In this case the fire department from Kenner, Louisiana, benefitted from Noble Energy’s generosity and has 35 stuffed and outfitted animals to carry on their vehicles so that children that are in distressing circumstances can be consoled. The team building event was very enjoyable and the participants had a lot of fun while doing something very worthwhile for the community.

The 70 people that took part in the event were mostly offshore oil rig workers. It was an enjoyable sight to see these men and women going through team building exercised that ultimately led to the stuffed animals being constructed. Often times as independent workers we only see teamwork as a necessity in certain situations or circumstances. These participants were independent and capable people who had a good grasp on the importance of teamwork on an oil rig, and through the exercises, got to see one another in a little different light, as well as experience team building at a different level.

We see teamwork in light of the teams we work in close proximity with and sometimes fail to see the larger picture. The people we work with on a daily basis become our team and in that limited vision we understand and define teamwork. But team work has a much larger application. In this case the team work goes beyond the oil rig to include all the support staff and office people that keep the total company operational. By bringing together a variety of workers from across the company to participate in the Rescue Bear Team Building Workshop they got to know and, more importantly, appreciate each other a little better, all the while learning key concepts in making teamwork work.

Thanks to Noble Energy, the Rescue Bear team building opportunity will continue to make a difference in the participants from Noble Energy, the first responders who will use the stuffed animals, and the families that will benefit from their children receiving the animals during difficult circumstances.