Maybe I can put the crew/staff photo inside a test tube for souvenirs. Station leaders can be a mug and a photo inside of the staff.   Any more ideas for the station leaders' gifts?

Nice

So last summer , one mom hosted a VBS volunteer appreciation  party at her house. It was pot luck and BYOB- not everyone could come, but we had a great time!!

For the teens , I simply send them a $5 local ice cream gift card in the mail with a thank you note.

This was so much easier  while still thanking them in some way that would not be thrown out the next day- who needs another mug or keychain??

Laura in MA

Laura
St Agnes Parish
Middleton, MA

We do an annual CM workshop and have lots of speakers, helpers, etc.  We used to try to give away something. What we found was (a) it killed our budget, (b) it was hard to find anything that people might keep (we all have too much stuff). So we opted to do either candy/food or to take everyone to eat somewhere.

1.  definately do a meal, preferably at someone's home.  I planned a pot luck last year (our first vbs in many years) because many volunteers expressed an interest in meeting people.  we do it prior to vbs.  i think the fellowship feels a bit more personal and sincere at a home... it's less of a church event, more of a true gathering of friends.  sort of a breaking barriers kinda thing, taking it beyond sunday worship and out into the "real" world!

2.  we found clip magnets at Dollar Tree with an insert area for a photo.  They are 2/$1.  We are going to insert "Well Done!" - God into the opening.  We will invert the clips and stand them on a display table holding notes of thanks, maybe some photos if we get 'em.  This idea came from a Volunteer Central wire & cube photo display.  I've given the materials to my volunteer in charge of this, so I don't have the scripture verse for you, but it's something like "Well done good and faithful servant."  I'll try to get it from her soon and post it.