7th best that is...
This water balloon was all that stood between me and the end of Battle of the Businesses. I had to throw—wait, no, toss—this little balloon about ten yards to my teammate, who had to safely catch it before taking a step back and repeating until we were the last ones standing out of 25 other companies. My partner didn’t seem super amused by my Dan Marino impression as I warmed up my arm and dropped back, pretending to launch it like a football.
That’s when I heard the voice next to me trying to read the back of my team shirt: “Goo…buh…goo? Did I get it right?” After a week of hearing Gubagoo mispronounced all week, I laughed and glanced at my opponent who nailed it on her first try. “If I had a prize, I’d give it to you!” I shot back, just as the whistle blew.
The water balloon left my hand and…POP! In my defense, my aim was right on target, for better or worse. With no balloon left to toss, our brief appearance had concluded. I strolled back to the sideline full of cheering and laughing Reynolds and Reynolds and Gubagoo teammates, feeling very dry, alongside a slightly frustrated and very not dry teammate.
It was a perfectly hilarious way to go out (for me at least—I didn't think to ask my partner’s thoughts on it).
But hold up, what is Battle of the Businesses???
Battle is the biggest annual fundraiser for Special Olympics of Greater Dayton that pits local businesses against each other in a variety of events. Participating Battle teams had spent the last several months fundraising for Special Olympians, and Battle Week was the culmination of all those efforts: competing against other the other companies in a dozen athletic events for a chance at a big trophy! Reynolds and Reynolds has a storied history in the event after decades of participation, not just being one of the biggest fundraisers, but often contending for the grand championship (check the names on the giant trophy if you think I’m exaggerating).
And for the first time ever, Gubagoo
joined in on the fun(draising). That meant over 80 employees around the Reynolds campus getting seriously involved. Together, we raised over $20,000 and shattered the company record. And in the buildup to Battle Week, it was common to see rookies and veterans alike practicing after work, trying everything from tug-of-war to sack race. I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in Battle since 2018 on the Reynolds teams, but the passion and commitment this year was off the charts.
A final banquet wraps up the week, with trophy presentations (go ReyRey!), the big reveal on the overall fundraising numbers, and of course, a dance party. Just like you’d see in one of your favorite movies, a dance party is always the move to cap off a celebration.
Beyond the competition
But let’s rewind a bit and go back to that moment where we learn how much everyone raised. That moment the Special Olympians cheer as they receive that oversized check, you know, the kind that takes multiple people to hold? It’s an amazing feeling seeing that, and knowing you directly made a difference in making it possible.
Battle is a truly fun and exciting experience, and I’d be willing to bet it’s one you couldn’t find anywhere else. But while the competition grabs everyone’s attention, we can’t lose sight of the reason Battle exists. Our efforts help support Special Olympians as they travel and compete in athletic events all over the country. In 2025, the Battling companies contributed over $74,000, and it was so fulfilling to be a part of that.
We ran the Gubagoo team with some rookies and it was awesome getting those new faces out there and showing them what Battle is all about. In our first year,
we finished in seventh place (out of 25!), but we had podium finishes in a few events like volleyball, trivia, and corn hole! Better yet, we had so many teammates surprise themselves on their first try at several events, and with a little more practice, you won’t want to face Team Gubagoo in 2026!
Except when it comes to
tug-of-war, I’d rather not get into that.