Common Questions

WHAT IS SERVE DAY?
Serve Day is our annual outreach event that closes our Summer Small Group Semester. It is an exciting opportunity for us, the local church, to go into our communities and love our neighbors. This summer, whether through a Small Group or by joining a Serve Day project, come be a part of serving our communities and sharing the love of Jesus through simple, practical acts of kindness.

I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVE DAY BUT I AM NOT IN A SMALL GROUP. HOW DO I FIND A SMALL GROUP?
The best way to get involved is through a Summer Small Group, and you can find the group for you by searching our Small Groups Directory. Most groups are open to new members throughout the semester, so feel free to contact the leader of a group that fits your interest, meeting location, and time preference.
If you’re unable to join a Summer Small Group but would still like to join a Serve Day project, you can search available projects through our Serve Day Mobile App.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE SERVE OPPORTUNITY SELECTED AND MY SMALL GROUP WANTS TO SERVE?
Our hope is that each Small Group plans and participates in a Serve Day project this summer.
If your Small Group is in need of ideas, be sure to read on for more information on how to get involved.

HOW DO I PLAN A SERVE PROJECT?
Get creative! Assess the needs of people in your neighborhood and in our local communities and plan a project that meets those needs. Check out our list of ideas and other options from local service organizations for ways to get involved.

HOW DO I COMMUNICATE TO THE CHURCH WHICH SERVE DAY PROJECT OUR GROUP IS PLANNING?
We’d love to know how your group plans to participate in Serve Day. You can register your group’s Serve Day project through the Serve Day Mobile App.

WHO PAYS THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR SMALL GROUP’S SERVE PROJECT (SUPPLIES, TRAVEL EXPENSES, ETC.)?
Each Small Group is responsible for the costs associated with their Serve Day project. We recommend spending time planning your project based on your group’s size and commitment level.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON SERVE DAY?
Bring any personal items you may need during your project: Serve Day T-shirt, sunscreen, drinking water, sneakers, a hat, etc. Your Small Group Leader can confirm any project-specific items you may need to bring: gloves, rakes, lawnmowers, tarps, work tools, etc. Work clothes are a good idea for serve opportunities requiring physical labor, and we recommend not wearing jewelry.

HOW WILL THE CHURCH COMMUNICATE ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT SERVE DAY?
Small Group Leaders and Co-Leaders will receive weekly emails with Serve Day updates. Updates will also be made available through our new Serve Day Mobile Application.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?
If your Serve Day project is outside, make plans to have an inclement weather option available. Some possibilities include visiting a nursing home, serving at a local service organization, or cleaning classrooms at a local school. For indoor serve ideas, view our list of project ideas.

WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Your Small Group Leader should have additional information about Serve Day, or you can email our Outreach Team at kathy.victoryky@gmail.com.

There are a number of different ways you can make a difference in your community through your small group. The key is to build your small group around your gifts, passions and what God has put on your heart to do.

You can begin by asking yourself the following questions. Hopefully, the answers will help you launch your small group around your God-given purpose.

• What are you good at doing and love to do?
• What individuals, ministries or organizations around you could benefit from your skills?
• What needs in your community seem to stand out to you above others?

Form your group around your passion and gifting. Keep it simple, make it fun and invite others who have similar interests and skills to join your group. The following are just a few small group ideas to help get your creativity flowing:

General Ideas

• Host a free garage sale
• Bring free lunches to construction workers and service people in your area
• Hand out free gum at a local park
• Clean up a widow's or single mom's yard
• Give out free sunscreen at a city park
• Give out free bottled water
• Plan a "Back to School Bash" for foster care children.  Have free food, games, and a backpack/school supply giveaway
• Give out free donuts and coffee at the bus station or a shopping center
• Host a free car wash
• Provide minor car repairs for elderly, widows and/or single moms
• Kids host a free lemonade stand
• Clean up a widow or single parent's yard
• Help with home cleanup or repairs for those who are physically or financially unable to do it themselves
• Place American flags at a Veterans cemetery
• Leave treat bags and handwritten notes for your delivery drivers

Nursing Homes

• Deliver fresh flowers to the residents
• Host a worship service at a nursing home (offer worship, devotions, prayer, and fellowship)
• Throw a "Senior Prom" complete with live music, food, and decorations
• Landscape a flower garden and sitting area for residents
• Clean the windows of residents' rooms inside and outside
• Build bird feeders and put them outside the windows of residents' rooms
• Have kids make crafts (necklaces, wooden crosses) that can be given to residents
• Distribute sugar-free snacks to residents and employees (check with staff on food restrictions)
• Host an art context and display residents' paintings (and perhaps set up an auction to sell them)
• Have a tea party
• Help the residents complete care packages for foster kids-this gives them a renewed sense of purpose
• Help residents get dressed up and bring in a professional photographer to have their portraits made

College

• Serve free drinks or snacks at sporting team and band practices
• Give away free mechanical pencils or energy drinks to students
• Host a free picnic in the quad
• Give out free donuts and coffee on the quad

Special Needs/Youth Home

• Identify a family with a special needs child and give the family a mom and dad's day out
• Adopt a group home for the day and throw a party for the residents
• Build a ramp for someone who uses a wheelchair
• Organize a field day for a youth group home
• Organize a "fun day" for foster parents
• Do a home or room makeover

Street Outreach

• Serve hot meals for people experiencing homelessness in your community
• Do a community prayer walk and trash clean up
• Host a "Block Party" with free food, games, music, etc. for families
• Renovate a run-down playground or park in the area
• Do a door-to-door grocery giveaway
• Have a "Free Grass Cutting" day
• Assemble and distribute hygiene packs
• Walk around and give out free donuts
• Do a prayer walk or prayer drive in the community
• Leave encouraging message around town in sidewalk chalk

Hospitals

• Serve free coffee, energy drinks, and snacks to staff and those waiting in the emergency room
• Give out healthy snacks and small blankets to patients of chemotherapy
• Deliver small gifts to patients and families in the children's ward (toys, balloons, stickers, care packages, etc.)
• Conduct prayer visits with patients and those in emergency waiting rooms

Business/Service Organizations/Public Service People

• Wash windows
• Pick up trash in parking lots
• Corral shopping carts to designated spaces
• Cook lunch for your local police or fire station
• Clean up or help with new landscaping for a local school
• Donate blood to the local blood bank

Recommended Reading
    Reach People Movement by Dino Rizzo
    Servolution by Dino Rizzo
    Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren
    The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett
    When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert