eventsvolunteers

Events

Every year, Global Connections holds events including welcome picnic/free garage sale, fall festival, international Thanksgiving dinner, spring break trip and barn dance to t he international community of Bowling Green.

Barn Dance

Last summer was the first time Global Connections organized a barn dance, which was hosted by InterVarsity. In July, the international community was invited to the home of one of the GC volunteers for a good, old-fashioned Barn Dance. Students enjoyed various yard games and a cookout and learned how to do the Electric Slide and Morning Glory Cha-Cha with the BG Naz Band. They also learned how to do-si-do (or square dance) that night with some very able instructors. We’re looking forward to another Barn Dance this upcoming summer!

Host Church/Organization: InterVarsity

Volunteers Needed: provide food, serve food, set-up/clean-up, mingle with students, vans and van drivers to transport students from and to a designated spot on campus

Welcome Picnic/Free Garage Sale

Originally started by Grace Brethren Church before the formation of Global Connections, this event has become somewhat of a tradition for new and continuing students. Each August before the start of the semester, new students are invited to attend a Welcome Picnic and Free Garage Sale as Global Connections wishes to welcome all new students and help furnish their apartments. Throughout the year, Global Connections volunteers collect household items and furniture, which are stored in a storage unit provided at a discounted rate to us by MECCA Management. These items are then given away through a raffle.

Host Church/Organization: Grace Brethren

Volunteers Needed: provide food, serve food, set-up/clean-up, mingle with students, help transport household items and furniture to students’ apartments

Fall Festival

Each October, students gather at the home of one of the Global Connections’ volunteers for a late afternoon and evening of fall fun. For the past two years, BG Naz has hosted this event, planning all kinds of fun activities for students and their families—pumpkin carving and a pumpkin contest; a cookout, complete with a bonfire to roast hotdogs and make s’mores; line and square dancing with a live band; yard games like corn hole and volleyball; and hayrides.

Host Church/Organization: BG Naz

Volunteers Needed: provide food, serve food, set-up/clean-up, mingle with students, vans and van drivers to transport students from and to a designated spot on campus

International Thanksgiving Dinner

Originally hosted by Bowling Green Covenant Church, this is our largest cultural event for the international community in Bowling Green. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, several hundred students gather for a typical Thanksgiving meal complete with all the trimmings. Students are also invited to participate in a free raffle in which small household items, TVs, DVD players and VCRs, microwave ovens, gift cards to area stores and toys are given away. In the past, there has also been a concert of musicians from the various Global Connections’ churches and organizations, concluding with the audience participating in singing “Brown Eyed Girl.”

Host Church/Organization: Bowling Green Covenant Church

Volunteers Needed: provide food, serve food, set-up/clean-up, mingle with students, donate raffle items, vans and van drivers to transport students from and to a designated spot on campus

Spring Break Trip

In 2006, the World Student Association (WSA) and GC planned a trip to Chicago for several days over Spring Break. Unfortunately, the trip was canceled because the minimum number of students to make the trip wasn't met.

Volunteers Needed: mingle with students, vans and van drivers to transport students from and to a designated spot on campus

Cedar Point Trip

In May 2006, WSA and Global Connections sponsored a trip to Cedar Point. About 25 students had a great time all day at the Park.

Volunteers Needed: accompany students on the trip, mingle with students