Intergenerational College Care Package Event
Thanks to Heather Blackstone for writing about Sparkhouse Digital’s offer of this free downloadable ‘event’ and inspiring this Great Idea.
Blackstone writes, ‘For churches that want to support their college students, Sparkhouse Digital is offering a FREE download – our intergenerational Unscheduled Grace College Care Package Event. (Click here to download this event.) This download describes how you can host a gathering in your church community to create care packages for college students, with each package including a copy of Unscheduled Grace, fun notes, bookmarks, and even a blessing for the packed boxes. It also includes several ideas for additional small gifts to include. This event helps gather together the generations at your church to help students feel missed and loved.
Tip! Invite church members to wear Gera from their alma mater or dream schools as they share memories, hopes, and prayers while packing the boxes for students away from home.’
The idea of an intergenerational care package preparatory party – where those preparing the gift boxes share their own stories about college or post-high-school adventures – is fantastic! It’s a great excuse to mingle the generations, explore one another’s stories, inspire younger generations for their futures – all while sending some love to your recent grads.
The event outline includes:
- Supplies (i.e., additional gifts, craft, and mailing supplies)
- Event Setup guidelines
- Assembly Line Station (for filling the boxes)
- Prayer Chain Station (to create a daily prayer chain)
- Packing Station
- Box Blessing
- Template for Student Letter
- Return Postcard Template
- Prayer Bookmarks Template
The free download and suggested event are admittedly in the interest of selling Sparkhouse’s Unscheduled Grace: 40 Reflections and Prayers for College Students, which is a fine book to share with college students. You might also consider the suggestions in our Faith Formation: Tweens & Teens – Graduation & Post-High School lib guide.
The list of ‘Supplies’, i.e., other gifts to include is fantastic. I would add:
- a gift card to the school’s book store
- music – via online platform or recorded – for studying, singing along, fun
- hand-made/hand-written cards from those who package the boxes
- school-color-themed hand-knit/home-made: scarves, mittens, hats, hot pads, leg warmers, etc.
The Prayer Chain Station is a beautiful idea
- extra idea: personalize prayer chains by making them out of the students’ school colors or colors associated with your congregation’s logo
The Bookmarks are offered in colors to match Unscheduled Grace and black-and-white. Invite Littles and Elders to color the black-and-white printouts together. Again, you might use the recipient’s school colors to personalize them. Or color them in colors associated with your congregation to remind them of home.
This is a fun intergenerational event – what a great excuse to get everyone together to share overflowing love!!
