{"id":28496,"date":"2015-11-17T03:00:10","date_gmt":"2015-11-17T10:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.churchvolunteercentral.com\/?post_type=cvdaily&p=28496"},"modified":"2016-09-07T18:23:58","modified_gmt":"2016-09-08T00:23:58","slug":"40-ways-to-bless-the-socks-off-your-volunteers-this-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwv.group.com\/childrens-ministry\/blog\/retain\/40-ways-to-bless-the-socks-off-your-volunteers-this-thanksgiving\/","title":{"rendered":"40 Ways to Bless the Socks Off Your Volunteers This Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all need to know we\u2019re appreciated. In fact, encouragement is \u201cencouraged\u201d in the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:11). So get started with these inexpensive and easy-to-prepare ideas—you\u2019re sure to bring a smile to someone\u2019s face!<\/p>\n

Gifts With Notes<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Magnet<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for attracting people to God.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Frozen dinner entr\u00e9e<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for all the meals you ate on the go to get to your ministry on time.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Compass<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for pointing kids in God\u2019s direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Jelly beans<\/strong>: \u201cIt\u2019s \u2018bean\u2019 fun working with you!\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Basket of fruit<\/strong>: \u201cTo a person who\u2019s filled with the fruit of the Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Package of Kool-Aid<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for coming to our aid.\u201d<\/p>\n

7. Paper glider plane<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for your light-hearted humor.\u201d<\/p>\n

8. Loaf of bread<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for being the yeast in God\u2019s kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n

9. Bottle of sparkling juice<\/strong>: \u201cThanks for your refreshing ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

10. Sandpaper<\/strong>: After an absence, attach a note to sandpaper: \u201cIt\u2019s been rough without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

11. Journal<\/strong>: Keep a running log of memories. At the end of the year, photocopy the memories into a booklet. Attach a note: \u201cWe\u2019ll never forget you.\u201d<\/p>\n

12. S’mores<\/strong>: After a camping or retreat weekend, make individual S\u2019mores (chocolate and marshmallow between two graham crackers) and place in plastic bags. Attach a note: \u201cThanks for the sweet memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simple Gifts<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

13. Fill an ice-cream cone with M&M\u2019s. Cover with clear plastic wrap.<\/p>\n

14. Enclose a favorite poem in a handmade card.<\/p>\n

15. Take a photo of each person in action. Write a thank you message on the back.<\/p>\n

16. Give pins with funny sayings, such as \u201cI Volunteer. What’s your super power?\u201d<\/p>\n

17. Give a blank journal so volunteers can record God sightings.<\/p>\n

18. Have kids make coupons that detail how they\u2019ll bless volunteers, such as housecleaning or window washing.<\/p>\n

19. Fill a \u201crelaxation bag\u201d with candles, soaps, and lotion.<\/p>\n

20. Give a spiral notebook as a prayer journal.<\/p>\n

21. Give a coupon for a free movie download. Attach a bag of microwave popcorn.<\/p>\n

22. Personalize small wreaths by attaching symbols for each person, such as pencils and apples for a teacher.<\/p>\n

23. Have kids design pages in a blank book with words of appreciation, illustrations, and signatures.<\/p>\n

24. Make a\u00a0digital movie on your phone of compliments, memories, and comments from the people the volunteer serves.<\/p>\n

25. Give a flashlight in thanks for burning the midnight oil at a retreat or lock-in.<\/p>\n

26. Give monthly-theme gifts for birthdays; for example, in February give candy hearts.<\/p>\n

27. Have kids personalize paper towels by writing a note of appreciation on each paper square.<\/p>\n

28. Write an A-Z note by saying what you appreciate about a person; for example, A<\/strong>rrive early to events, B<\/strong>est guitar player, and so on.<\/p>\n

29. Keep a \u201cfavorites list\u201d for each volunteer.\u00a0Once in a while, give an unexpected favorite treat.<\/p>\n

Gatherings and Receptions<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

30.\u00a0Collect photos of the year\u2019s service activities. Add background music and record people’s thank yous. Host a banquet and show the movie.<\/p>\n

31. Host a Thanksgiving dinner any time during the year. Serve turkey, mashed potatoes, and all the fixin\u2019s.<\/p>\n

32. Give all the people you wish to honor a small tea light at a church service. Have each one turn on their light, then turn out the house lights. Tell everyone to look at all the people who help light the way for Jesus!<\/p>\n

33. Take the church staff caroling any time during the year and show up at the homes of some key volunteers.<\/p>\n

34. Host a \u201cBlue Ribbon Barbecue.\u201d Make 1st place ribbons out of blue fabric and fabric paint. Serve blue food, such as blueberry pancakes or pie.<\/p>\n

Odds and Ends<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

35. Notice ways your volunteers demonstrate God\u2019s love; then call them the following week and voice your appreciation.<\/p>\n

36. Acknowledge their contributions to others.<\/p>\n

37. Share their excitement and affirm them when they want to begin new activities on their own.<\/p>\n

38. Notice their God-given gifts and make sure they\u2019re using them.<\/p>\n

39. Surprise volunteers who teach by designing colorful marker messages on their classroom whiteboards.<\/p>\n

40. Pray for them and let them know you\u2019re doing it by sending a text message.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all need to know we\u2019re appreciated. In fact, encouragement is \u201cencouraged\u201d in the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:11). So get started with these inexpensive and easy-to-prepare ideas—you\u2019re sure to bring a smile to someone\u2019s face! Gifts With Notes 1. Magnet: \u201cThanks for attracting people to God.\u201d 2. Frozen dinner entr\u00e9e: \u201cThanks for all the meals you ate on the go […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":30635,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[137,670],"tags":[602,457,472,474,603,500],"class_list":["post-28496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-retain","category-volunteers","tag-40-ways-to-bless-the-socks-off","tag-appreciation-2","tag-giving-thanks","tag-thanksgiving-2","tag-thanksgiving-ideas","tag-volunteer-gifts"],"yoast_head":"\n40 Ways to Bless the Socks Off Your Volunteers This Thanksgiving - Group Children's Ministry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We all need to know we\u2019re appreciated. In fact, encouragement is \u201cencouraged\u201d in the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:11). 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