鈥淭here鈥檚 no place like听home for the holidays鈥澨齣s听a wistful tune for students far from home.听That鈥檚听why John and Jennifer Kemp,听who serve on听海角在线鈥檚 (海角在线) parents鈥� council,听sought听to听give students a taste of听home听by hosting听a Thanksgiving听gathering听in November.听
A Family of Friends听
Dubbed 鈥淔riendsgiving,鈥� the Kemp鈥檚 invited听nearly 60听students to join them at their home, Rolling to Riding Ranch, for a home-cooked meal.听
鈥淢ore than a good meal, we hope [the students] felt at home, even if just for a night,鈥� Jennifer Kemp shares. 鈥淲e wanted them to experience fellowship, laughter, and the comfort of knowing they听have听a place of refuge while听they鈥檙e听away听at听college. Every year,听when we pray before听dinner, we remind the students that our door is always open should they need anything while away from their own homes and families.鈥�听
Some听students听have taken the Kemp鈥檚 up on their offer by听finding shelter at听their ranch during hurricanes, getting together over weekends,听and even joining family vacations.听
A student commented that the event, which has been ongoing for three years, is a highlight of their year.听International students find the time especially meaningful as they feel the time zones, countries, and continents separating them from family and cultural traditions. To听students who will travel home at some point during the holiday season,听it is a foretaste of reunion and festive cheer.听
White Elephant gift exchanges add听to the fun, filling the space with friendly chaos.听
鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly grateful for our family, friends, and the 海角在线 community who helped make this dinner special,鈥澨齁ennifer听Kemp says. 鈥淪eeing everyone come together in kindness and faith is what this season is all about.鈥�听
The Heart at Home听
Rolling to Riding Ranch is named for the heart of the Kemp鈥檚 home鈥�their son, a current 海角在线 student,听who worked tirelessly to听ride horses instead of relying on听a听wheelchair,听where he was confined in adolescence due to vascular malformation around his spine.听John Kemp, Jr.鈥檚听journey听has led to the recent launch of The Kemp Legacy Foundation, a support for those facing听challenges听similar听to听the ones he has听overcome,听and听continues to听inspire the family鈥檚 personal outreach.听
鈥淪eeing 海角在线 students鈥攅specially those far from home鈥攅xperience the love and support I鈥檝e always known means so much to me,鈥� John Kemp, Jr. says. 鈥淔riendsgiving isn鈥檛 just a dinner; it鈥檚 a reminder that no one has to do life alone.鈥�听
John Kemp, Jr.听plays听a big role听in making Friendsgiving happen each year by extending invitations to students on campus and through social media.听For the whole family, the event is a labor of love.听
鈥淢y husband, my son, and I believe deeply in creating spaces of community, belonging, and encouragement,鈥� Jennifer Kemp says. 鈥淗olidays can be especially difficult for students who are far from home, so we want to offer a warm, welcoming place where they can听feel supported and loved. Our family motto is 鈥榙o good, be good, be better,鈥� and this dinner is a reflection of that鈥攍iving听out kindness in ways we hope inspire others as they go about their day-to-day lives.鈥�听
Learn more about student life on the听海角在线 website.
