Kiss Dayton! You've just been Kissed.

special connect card goes into each pack

tables are located at all exits, red table cloths and fun balloons create a fun vibe.

The two weekends just before Valentines day. Our teens and children’s areas pack thousands of Hershie Kisses into small zip lock bags with our special ‘you’ve just been kissed’ connect card. People grab several of the bags as they leave the weekend services and go about kissing the people Dayton during the week.

 

packed by our VKidz spreading the value of kindness

 Instruction sheet helps people know what to do

I went to the gym a couple of years ago and asked the receptionist, ‘Have you been kissed today?’ 'What? No.', I then handed her a pack of kisses and said, ‘Well, you’ve just been kissed?’ she laughed and then commented, ‘You’re from the Vineyard, right? I said, ‘Yep, we’re that kissing church down the street.

2nd Saturday of Kindness, February 12th, 10am.

Combined with Kiss Dayton we always go out into the community on the Saturday before Valentines Day to encourage people who work in our community. We usually go to strip malls or town centers where the shops are close together. We purchase carnations and take, our You've just been kissed! packs. 

We go to the shops and ask for the manager, of if it is a small shop we just talk to whoever is at the check out register.

We ask. 'How many people are working today?' and count out flowers for each person. We then give the carnations along with the packs of kisses and say, 'You've just been kissed today, have a great Valentines day.' 

The responses are amazing. Some women really reveal their hearts by stating, 'My guy never gives me flowers.' or 'Wow! This is so nice!' etc. Most ask, 'Who are you guys?' 


I love going to Spa's or high end hair saloons. The ladies are always appreciative and surprised.

MLK Jr. Update...

Filled truck pulls into spot to unload... while unloading, guy with security suit states, "You gotta move we are a working loading dock." I reply, "We are moving in a moment." So, hurriedly we take huge box filled with pre-loaded cups, 2 wagons full of 2 1/2 gal dispensers of hot water and coffee, three 6 foot tables, etc to the location. Location is Courthouse Square Dayton OH.

We hurriedly set up tables. Place coffee water dispensers on tables and gather the pre loaded 12 oz cups.

The marching people arrive...early. Now it is organized chaos! We fill cups, put in stir stick and smile, repeat 600 times. In 35 minutes we are finished, people smiling, thanking, encouraging and generally appreciative of the small cup of coffee, or hot chocolate given with great love.

We had a blast and over 600 people were touched with God's love, no strings attached. Being there helps create a 'we care' vibe.

Here is a note from a grateful mom.

 

Hi Steve
Thanks for what you do to reach out to the city. This year your "touches of hot chocolate kindness" touched my son, Sam and his girlfriend Gloria. And some where deep down I think he really was touched. I don't think Gloria had experienced anything quite like this from a church; she was grateful, almost moved by it. Thank you!

Martin Luther King March Outreach

Each year the Dayton community marches to remember and to celebrate the freedom Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified and passionately proclaimed.

 

We serve our community at the end of the MLK Jr. March. The city gathers in an area then marches to Courthouse Square. We join the celebration and serve the community by providing free coffee and hot chocolate.

Where: Courthouse Square Dayton

When: 11am Monday, January 17, 2011. Come a little early to park (bring quarters for the parking meters).

How: Wear warm clothes, gloves, and a smile. This is a fast-paced event. We serve until we run out of coffee and hot chocolate.

Tip: We discovered it is better to take the time to pre-load the cups with Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate. Buy at Sam's Club $5.80 for box of 60 1 cup servings. We also use a 12 oz cups bought in bulk at Sam's Club. We re-use the box to store the hundreds of cups of Hot Chocolate powder along side the cups we use for coffee. Believe me it is a time / stress, saver when hundreds of people are putting their hands out reaching for the Hot Chocolate. 

On the morning of we put hot water into our weekend coffee pots. The water stays hot for several hours. We then load up everything in wagons. Load the wagons on the truck and head downtown. When we arrive we unload wagons, set up tables and wait for the cold and grateful marchers. Cost for outreach touching around 700 people $100. Good bang for buck.

This outreach is great fun and gratefully received. The outreach can be used at college Campuses, High Schools or where ever people gather.

 

Stack cups inside each other to keep hot chocolate powder sealed.

You can cut more than one pack to save time. Cut, pour powder into cups, stack cups.

Use bag from box of cups to store filled cups, then place bag into box along with extra cups for coffee.

When bag is full of powder filled cups twist bag to seal.

Place filled cups into box with extra cups. Then re-tape the box top to seal. Store in a dry / cool space. 

On the day of outreach grab box, hot water, stir sticks, tables and free signs and head to your location. Have team members pour water or coffee into cups and hand to grateful people. Don't forget sugar and coffee creamer. 

A connect card is always a great connection point.