Photo:©2023 Hallmark Media
©2023 Hallmark Media
There’s truly no place like home — and the stars of theHallmark Channelexperienced that first-hand last week.
On June 8,Lacey Chabert,Jonathan Bennett,Tyler Hynes,Nikki DeLoach,Andrew Walker,Ashley Williamsand many, many others visited the headquarters of Hallmark in Kansas City for the very first time.
While there, the crew was met with cheering employees and interacted with them through games (and Hynes, Walker and Paul Campbell may have even treated them to a performance a certain dance). They also were given a tour from none other than Don Hall Jr., the company’s executive chairman and the grandson of its founder.
“What a special day!“saidChabert. “It was just wonderful to be with so many friends and be able to celebrate with everyone who makes Hallmark the incredible company that it is. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to make movies with this company.”
PEOPLE was on the scene for the entire day. Below, enjoy exclusive photos and details from the exciting moment.
“We connected with so many beautiful humans who are the backbone of Hallmark and the reason Hallmark Channel exists,” said DeLoach.
Once inside, the actors headed to a theater on campus, where Bennett hosted a series of holiday-themed games for his colleagues and the staff. Here, Chabert revealed that she has a competitive streak — even when it’s a matter of throwing candy canes onto a string of tinsel.
The Three Wise Men finished the dance with their tree-pose finish as the crowd erupted with cheers. They weren’t the only ones to dance during gametime: Kristoffer Polaha, Williams, DeLoach and John Brotherton were all tasked with shaking ping-pong balls out of a Kleenex box wrapped around their waists. Polaha may have successfully emptied his box, but Brotherton proved he could twerk!
Mean Girlscostars and friends for more than 20 years, Chabert and Bennett shared a moment before lunch. “Mom & Dad are home,” Bennettwroteon Instagram.
After lunch, the actors did a little shopping in the company store. Erin Cahill, whocalledthe experience “an incredibly special day,” checked out the selection of candles.
Bottoms up, Ashley. TheSister Swapactressdescribedthe visit — as well as her weekend at Christmas Con — as “a stupidly good time.”
Bennett found an ally, both on-site and with the network as a whole. “This day was so special and beyond words,” theHoliday Sitterstar said. “Thank you will never be enough. This was absolutely magical.”
The actors met with Don Hall Jr. ahead of their tour and history lesson. It was a moment the stars cherished and discussed all weekend long. They were especially impressed to learn that Hallmark invented wrapping paper!
Cheers! Reeser and D’Orsay celebrated the beautiful day at a special cocktail hour in the actors' honor.
“To learn the history of this company and to see firsthand how they truly live out every single value in their lives and work was nothing short of awe-inspiring,“saidDeLoach. “From Don Hall Jr., grandson of the company’s founder, to every single employee, they lead with kindness, love, generosity and humility. I’ve always been proud and honored to represent a network that is a champion for hope in the world. But to see where it all began and to truly feel how we are all connected to each other and an extension of everything that The Hall Family and its many, many employees have built, was beyond meaningful and something I’ll never forget.”
source: people.com
