Missional Youth Groups – Appreciation Dinner

One of the best things we ever did with our teens was host an Appreciation Dinner for the civil servants in our county. 

This event is a great way for your youth group to give back to those who give so much through the year. What could be more fitting for a mission event?

We started this tradition by  inviting the whole police force (Town, County, Deputy, Forestry Service and the State Police that worked our area) to come to our church for an appreciation dinner. The following year we invited the fire and rescue workers for our area and did the same for them. We continued to take turns year after year.

Your teens should take care of all of the details with guidance from the adults. Let them help cook, set up and wait on everyone who comes. Get food donations from your church members and have a few adults help (one adult help in the parking lot with 2 teens to direct parking, one adult keep the tea and water pitchers full so the teens can keep the glasses filled, one adult fill the food bowls so the teens can keep the food coming to the tables, etc.). Give the departments a framed certificate of thanks and appreciation from your youth group (or a plaque if you can afford it) and, if you can afford it, buy a small gift for the department or something small for each person who comes.

* Keep in mind that certain times and days of the year may be busier for law officers and rescue workers. Winter may be a time when weather keeps them busy. Summer may have more travelers keeping them busy. Check with the Departments you are hosting to see what day of the week and time of the year works for them.

* If you have the volunteers, a large enough youth group, and the money/donations, you might want to consider giving them a choice of meat or have a vegetable plate available. We always served family style (put bowls and platters of food on the table and they serve themselves passing the bowls/platters around the table) but you can serve plated meals (your servers have plates with a serving on them and one plate is all the get) or you can set up a buffet if you have the room.

Tags: Christianity, Civil service, Religion and Spirituality, Teens, Youth group