Join us for Day of Service, our annual event where UC Santa Barbara alumni across the globe give back to their communities through acts of service. Whether you are joining a group of Gauchos for a beach clean-up, volunteering at your local animal shelter, library, school, or bringing food to a neighbor in need, we want to celebrate how #GauchosGiveBack to their community!
Registration opens to everyone on August 7, 2024.
New service projects will be added as they are confirmed, so be sure to check back frequently.
The first 500 to sign-up in the continental U.S. or U.K. will receive a Gaucho gift!
Service Projects
Our service projects list will be updated periodically with new volunteer opportunities. Check back regularly for updates! Please note: Some activities may require separate registration with the volunteer site. Important details will be included in your registration confirmation email. If you would like to receive community service hours for your participation, please contact the organization directly.
Coming soon!
North Campus Open Space | 6969 Whittier Dr, Goleta, CA 93117 | 9:00am - 11:00am
Activity: Come help plant coastal sage scrub plants at UCSB's recently restored North Campus Open Space Restoration Project! Learn how this project enhances campus's resilience to climate change, supports endangered plants and animals, provides educational and recreational opportunities for the community at and around the university. Wear close toed shoes and a hat and bring a water bottle with you. Gloves and tools will be provided.
Volunteer capacity: Open
Coming Soon!
Shift Our Ways Collective, Backyard Farm | 7625 Wilbur Ave, Reseda, CA 91335 | 8:00am - 11:00am
Activity: Join Olé LA for a Reseda Farm beautification and compost creation extravaganza! Volunteers will help with farm clean-up, supply and storage organization projects, and learn how to create windrow compost piles. Volunteers will help prepare the site for greenhouse installation later in the fall. Shift Our Ways (S.O.W.) Collective is growing sustainable communities through environmental education, regenerative agriculture, and climate resilience.
Volunteer capacity: 35
Orange County Rescue Mission | Village of Hope, 1 Hope Drive, Tustin, CA 92782 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Activity: Join Olé OC at the OC Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope, which provides transitional and emergency housing for up to 262 homeless men, women, and children, and emergency housing for survivors of human trafficking. Volunteers can choose to help in the warehouse or with meal prep in the kitchen.
Volunteer capacity: 20
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Warehouse | 9850 Distribution Avenue, San Diego CA, 92121 | 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Activity: Join Olé San Diego to help eliminate hunger in your community! Volunteers will assist with projects at the San Diego Food Bank warehouse.
Volunteer capacity: 20
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Resources for finding volunteer opportunities near you:
- VolunteerMatch: Matches inspired people with inspiring causes.
- AARP Create the Good: Connecting you with volunteer opportunities to share your life skills, life experiences, and passions with your community.
- Volunteer virtually with the Library of Congress: Help transcribe Library of Congress documents. Volunteers create and review transcriptions to improve search, access, and discovery of these pages from history.
Questions? Please email programs@alumni.ucsb.edu to discuss!
#GauchosGiveBack
Show us your Gaucho Pride! On September 14, post a picture of yourself on social media wearing your UCSB gift or your favorite UCSB gear. Tag @ucsbalumni and use the hashtag #GauchosGiveBack! You can also upload your photos to our shared album.
FAQs
Yes! Register for Day of Service and select “Make My Own Plan” from the drop-down menu of volunteer opportunities.
Day of Service is September 14, 2024. All volunteer activities must take place on this day to receive a UCSB gift.
Yes! Family and friends are welcome to join.
Please reach out to Alumni Affairs staff at programs@alumni.ucsb.edu.
You will receive a confirmation email from Alumni Affairs staff with important information regarding your volunteer activity.
Yes. If you are no longer able to participate in a Day of Service activity with a volunteer capacity limit, please email programs@alumni.ucsb.edu as soon as possible.
Consider making a gift to the Gauchos for Life Fund which enables Alumni Affairs to create meaningful engagement opportunities that build strong ties between UCSB and its alumni.