Join us in welcoming international students!
Many international students come to our area each year to study at nearby universities. We have an opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love to them through events like International Student Day, quarterly social gatherings, and building friendships along the way. Would you join us?
International Student Day
Our first connecting point with international students is through our annual International Student Day, always the Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend. Students are invited to enjoy a welcome brunch, get-to-know-you games, and then the big highlight - a free furniture sale!
Students traveling here from other countries arrive with little more than a suitcase, so furnishing their apartment is a vast and immediate need. Our gym transforms into a giant yard sale of new or gently used housewares and furniture, all items given in love to help these students get off to a great start.
Teams of volunteers assist with everything from promotion at universities, furniture collection and arrangement, student transportation, welcome and registration, clean-up, and furniture delivery to the students' apartments.
Teams of volunteers assist with everything from promotion at universities, furniture collection and arrangement, student transportation, welcome and registration, clean-up, and furniture delivery to the students' apartments.
More than a Yard Sale
More than simply meeting a physical need, we want to show these students that there is a community here to support and care for them during their time in the US. Students who come here to study often return to their home countries as the next generation of leaders in their fields.
By serving and loving international students with the love of Christ that we have been given, we are truly impacting the world.
Furniture Collection Week
Monday-Friday, August 24-30
5:00-7:30 PM, Gym
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I donate?
We are accepting donations of gently used or new items:
Apartment-sized furniture:
Sofas, armchairs, dining sets, study desks, desk chairs, bookshelves, lamps, small cabinets, chests of drawers, TV stands, mirrors, side tables.
Kitchen Items:
Pots & pans, glasses & mugs, plates, cutlery, serving bowls, small appliances, tea pots, rice cookers, wooden spoons, water pitchers and oven mitts.
Household Items:
Throw pillows, irons, ironing boards, bedspreads, sheets, towels, rugs.
Apartment-sized furniture:
Sofas, armchairs, dining sets, study desks, desk chairs, bookshelves, lamps, small cabinets, chests of drawers, TV stands, mirrors, side tables.
Kitchen Items:
Pots & pans, glasses & mugs, plates, cutlery, serving bowls, small appliances, tea pots, rice cookers, wooden spoons, water pitchers and oven mitts.
Household Items:
Throw pillows, irons, ironing boards, bedspreads, sheets, towels, rugs.
What items are not accepted?
We will not be accepting mattresses, tube-tvs, over-the-range microwaves, china dishes, children's items, clothing or books.
We cannot take anything that is extraordinarily heavy, broken, or in otherwise poor condition.
We cannot take anything that is extraordinarily heavy, broken, or in otherwise poor condition.
When can I bring my items?
We are accepting donations Monday-Friday, August 24-29, from 5:00-7:30 PM in the Gym, Building F.
If you would like to drop off donations during our church office hours of 8 AM-4 PM, please contact us to schedule a time.
If you would like to drop off donations during our church office hours of 8 AM-4 PM, please contact us to schedule a time.
Is there storage available at the church?
No, we cannot store items ahead of time. Please bring your items during collection week.
Can someone pick up my donations?
Unfortunately, we are unable to pick up your donations.
We will have volunteer teams on-site during collection week to help move items from your vehicle to the gym if needed.
We will have volunteer teams on-site during collection week to help move items from your vehicle to the gym if needed.
Can I get a donation receipt for my items?
Yes, tax deduction forms are available in the lobby of Building F during collection week.
International Student Day
Saturday, August 30 | 10:30 AM
Come and Serve!
There are many opportunities to serve leading up to International Student Day, as well as before, during, and after the event as follows:
Pray
Event Promotion
Partner with our leadership team to speak at student orientations, post in student forums, and place signage on campuses.
Furniture Collection
Know your way around Buy Nothing groups? Promote our event and track down furniture donations from the community.
Furniture Reception
Join our point person during furniture collection week one night Monday-Friday from 5:00-7:30 PM as an individual, or come with your family, friends, or Community Group. You'll help carry items from vehicles, and arrange donations in the gym. You're welcome to pack a dinner (or order in with your group) and eat in between deliveries.
Student Transportation
This role offers a special opportunity to connect with students by picking them up from a designated location at their campus or apartment complex at 10 AM the day of the event. You can also drive the same students back when the event is finished around noon, help them carry small items to their apartment, and wait with them for the furniture delivery trucks and then offer a hand with the larger items. This is a highly valuable time for building relationships. Furniture delivery usually wraps up by 2 PM.
Welcome Team
This team arrives at 9:45 AM to help with setup for the event, staff the registration tables, give directions, answer questions, and be a friendly face that welcomes students to the event. You will receive training from our leadership team before students start arriving between 10:15-10:45.
Furniture Delivery Drivers
We need people willing to lend or drive your trucks or trailers in order to deliver furniture to students' homes starting around 11:30. Students and more volunteers will help move the items. All furniture deliveries are typically finished by 2 PM.
Clean Up Crew
When the event wraps up around noon, we will need a team to consolidate items and move them from the gym to the stage. This team will also breakdown and restore room F101. The time commitment is approximately 45 minutes.
Continue to Welcome
Our hope is that International Student Day is just the beginning point of connection with the students who come.
Be a friend to an international student.
International students often know no one before landing, and family is far away. Many are curious about our culture, food, and faith, and are hungry for relationships.
Yet only 1 of every 4 international students ever gets invited into an American home. It doesn't have to be this way!
We host quarterly social gatherings where we enjoy a meal and cultural activities, such as a Friendsgiving event in the fall, or a Hot Pot Night for Lunar New Year in the winter.
Friendship Partners - Coming Soon!
If you want to go deeper and be paired with a student for one academic year, meeting up once a month, click below.