The Big Giveaway- August 24, 2019
This event is a Grace Bible Church event. Visit their website to register and attend. http://grace-bible.org/events/the-big-giveaway
WHY WE DO IT:Thousands of students from all over the world move to College Station each year. At Grace, we want to love our neighbors as ourselves, just as Jesus has commanded us. The Big Giveaway is more than just a furniture giveaway; it is an opportunity to share Christ-like love by stewarding our blessings well and opening up our homes. Our hope is that the Big Giveaway is a catalyst for us to know our neighbors so that the nations may know Jesus. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: See below for specific information about registration, transportation, and meeting American friends at the Big Party!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:Because God has given us more than enough in Jesus, we are to be an overflow of His love “in every good work” (2 Cor 9:7-8). Ways that you may do this for our new neighbors is by donating needed furniture, volunteering for various event days leading up to the Big Giveaway, attending the Big Party, serving the day of, connecting with new international friends, and hosting a meal in your home (more info to come!). Donations of water bottles, snacks for volunteers, cardboard boxes and finances are also welcome!
VOLUNTEER:It takes over 200 volunteers to make this event happen! If interested in serving in any capacity, click here to sign up as a volunteer. Descriptions of the various volunteer opportunities are below.
DONATE – ITEMS WE ACCEPT: Furniture – Living, Dining, Office, BedroomWorking Bicycles, Locks, and HelmetsVacuum CleanersSmall Appliances – most needed items: microwaves, rice cookers, coffee makers, blenders, toaster ovens, lampsDishes/Kitchen Items – sets of four dishes preferred (dishes, cups, utensils)Bedding – sheets, comforters, blankets (please label size, e.g., twin, queen)Towels and Washcloths
NOTE: Please box or bag small items, and label (e.g., kitchen items, appliances, bedding and towels). This helps to make storage and organization easier!
PLEASE DO NOT DONATE:Worn, Stained, or Torn itemsKing Sized Items – mattresses, sheets, comfortersSleeping PillowsClothes / ShoesChildren’s items – cribs, toysBooks, moviesHoliday-specific decor – Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, July 4th, etc.Large Appliances – washers, dryers, refrigeratorsComputer Equipment – monitors, laptops, printersTelevisionsPhones – cellular, cordless, or corded phonesCleaning supplies – mops, brooms, toilet brushes
DONATION DROP OFF DATES:Aug Drop Offs: Volunteers will be available to help unload items.
When — Aug 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Aug 10, 10 a.m. – Noon
Aug 18, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Aug 20 – 21, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where — Anderson College Auditorium (701 Anderson Street)
Please DO NOT bring items to the church outside of designated drop off times or leave items outside the building.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:Below are descriptions of all the opportunities throughout the year to take part in the Big Giveaway. To sign up to volunteer, please click here. DROP OFFS:Help unload and sort items brought throughout the year to our storage facilities. THE “BIG MOVE”:Help move donated items from our storage units to the College Auditorium and Youth Gym at the Grace Anderson Campus on Sunday, August 18, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. THE “BIG SORT”:Help organize, sort, and repair donated items on Tuesday – Thursday, August 20 – 22, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (time slots available! Come for as little or as long as you can). THE “BIG PARTY”: Help welcome our international neighbors into the community through food and fellowship on Friday, August 23, 6 – 9 p.m. (set-up begins at 5 p.m.). THE “BIG GIVEAWAY 2019”:The Main Event! Help in a variety of ways on Saturday, August 24, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(NEW! There are two time slots this year: 7am-11am, 11am-3pm. But we’d love for folks to plan to serve the whole time–there are lots to do and it’s incredible what we accomplish in 8 hours!). We have ROYAL BLUE shirts for the first 100 volunteers that arrive Saturday morning at 7 a.m. If you arrive later or would prefer to wear a shirt you already own, please wear a plain royal blue shirt.
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
WELCOME! WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE!REGISTER:Please come Friday, August 23 starting at 5 p.m. at 701 Anderson Street to register and secure your place in the Saturday queue; you do not need to stay overnight. Return Saturday morning by 7 a.m. for your furniture/household goods. BIG PARTY:After registration, stay for the Big Party across the street at Anderson Park! There will be free food, resources, music, games and other fun. TRANSPORTATION: GETTING HERE: There are two Texas A&M bus routes that get to the Big Giveaway: 26 (Rudder) and 27 (Ring Dance). The Brazos Transit District’s Maroon Route can also get you here. Times vary with all buses, especially on Saturday, so please check schedules ahead of time. At the Big Party on Friday night (see paragraph above), there will be sign-ups for getting rides back home Friday and to the Big Giveaway on Saturday.
GETTING HOME: On both Friday and Saturday, there will be people to help you, your furniture and household goods get home!
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
[email protected] or call 979-777-5555