January Impact on inclusion award: McDermott Elementary
School
Building Inclusion, One Gingerbread House at a Time
McDermott Elementary School is receiving the January Impact on Inclusion Award for creating meaningful and inclusive opportunities for all students! McDermott’s Unified Club brought Unified partners and athletes together for a festive gingerbread house activity that celebrated teamwork, belonging, and the power of inclusion.
The event began with one of their partners reading the book Charlie’s Gingerbread House to both Unified partners and athletes. The story set the tone for the day, highlighting creativity, cooperation, and kindness. After the reading, Unified partners worked alongside athletes to build their own gingerbread houses using the same ingredients Charlie used in the story: peppermint sticks, gumdrops, marshmallows, jellybeans, and sprinkles that looked like freshly fallen snow. Each house was unique—just like the students who created them—and every creation reflected collaboration and shared joy.
Once completed, the gingerbread houses were proudly displayed for the entire school to see, spreading holiday cheer and serving as a visible reminder of what inclusion looks like in action. After the display, students were able to take their houses home to enjoy. This sweet activity not only celebrated the holiday season but also reinforced why McDermott’s Unified Club was honored with the Impact on Inclusion Award—because inclusion is built when everyone is welcomed, valued, and given the opportunity to create something meaningful together.
McDermott Elementary School is receiving the January Impact on Inclusion Award for creating meaningful and inclusive opportunities for all students! McDermott’s Unified Club brought Unified partners and athletes together for a festive gingerbread house activity that celebrated teamwork, belonging, and the power of inclusion.
The event began with one of their partners reading the book Charlie’s Gingerbread House to both Unified partners and athletes. The story set the tone for the day, highlighting creativity, cooperation, and kindness. After the reading, Unified partners worked alongside athletes to build their own gingerbread houses using the same ingredients Charlie used in the story: peppermint sticks, gumdrops, marshmallows, jellybeans, and sprinkles that looked like freshly fallen snow. Each house was unique—just like the students who created them—and every creation reflected collaboration and shared joy.
Once completed, the gingerbread houses were proudly displayed for the entire school to see, spreading holiday cheer and serving as a visible reminder of what inclusion looks like in action. After the display, students were able to take their houses home to enjoy. This sweet activity not only celebrated the holiday season but also reinforced why McDermott’s Unified Club was honored with the Impact on Inclusion Award—because inclusion is built when everyone is welcomed, valued, and given the opportunity to create something meaningful together.
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Published January 2026
