SOC Chantilly's first annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work day was a hit! Children of SOC staff members became "employees for the day" and participated in a planned day of activities including a first day of work experience complete with badging and contract signing. SOC volunteers made the event possible by running sessions, coordinating kids, organizing food and gifts, filming, and more. Event organizer, Rasha Saad reflects, "The energy that the kids brought to the office was intoxicating. I think I speak for everyone when I say that all the employees felt like they were part of one family, working together and giving these kids a day to remember." View the video here.
The event kicked off with an opening ceremony led by Government Services President Steve Selfridge followed by breakout sessions including a SOC logo design session, scavenger hunt, and passport sticker activities. After lunch came the highlight of the day—the eagerly anticipated SOC Canine Solutions demo. Canine Training Manager, Tiffany Linden and Canine Instructor, Seth Mayo, arrived with three furry, four-legged superstars: Vize, Holly, and Bogi. Daughters, sons, and SOC employees excitedly emptied into the sunny parking lot to watch these working dogs in action. Vize, a six and a half year old Belgian Malinois, was led by Seth to search multiple vehicles. After successfully identifying the scent, Vize was rewarded with high pitched, excited words of praise and a rubber toy. Bogi, a six and a half year old German Shorthaired Pointer, triumphantly demonstrated her luggage searching abilities. Then the kids were invited to meet and pet the dogs. Children loved on dogs, adults witnessed joy, and every face donned a smile. The day of events concluded in the board room with a ceremony where children received a SOC goodie bag and certificate from Billy Conner, SOC Senior Vice-President, Integrated Security.
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work was sponsored by the Day & Zimmermann Parents Resource Group. Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work's mission is to show children "the value of their education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future, and allowing them to begin steps toward their end goals in a hands-on and interactive environment."