Day of Service is our annual event that encourages UC Santa Barbara alumni across the globe to give back to their communities. We are grateful to those who have participated over the years, bringing together the UCSB community through acts of service. Mark your calendar for this year's event on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, and show your community how Gauchos give back!
If you wish to serve as a volunteer leader in your area, please email us at programs@alumni.ucsb.edu. To preserve the long-lasting positive impact you made this year, please post your volunteer photos in our shared album or direct message us @ucsbalumni on Instagram.
Gaucho For Life Fund
Make 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. Gifts to the Gauchos for Life Fund support alumni events including the All Gaucho Reunion, regional & Olé events, and the Gaucho Professional Network. Your generosity also supports student programs like study nights, career panels, and incoming student welcome receptions.
Service Projects
Stay tuned for a list of opportunities! Events will be added regularly so be sure to check back.
If you would like to receive community service hours for your participation, please contact the organization directly.
Isla Vista Compost Collective | St. Michael’s Church: 6586 Picasso Rd, Isla Vista | 9am - 12pm
Volunteers will create compost piles, tend to the garden, and learn about the composting process at St. Michael's Church, alongside their composting chickens. 12-person capacity limit.
Contact: Carly Marto, compostcollective@islavistacsd.com, 530-643-3007
Mesa Harmony Garden | 500 Dolores Drive, Santa Barbara | 9am - 12pm
Volunteers will help maintain and improve this community food forest. Please sign the waiver prior to arrival. 20-person capacity limit.
Contact: Hugh Kelly, hughmkelly@outlook.com
Santa Barbara Zoo | 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara – Discovery Pavilion | 10am - 1pm
Maximum capacity reached. No more sign-ups available.
Volunteers will help clean the area by wiping down handrails and picking up trash. All tools provided and waivers will be signed on-site. 25-person capacity limit.
Contact: Allyson Holman, AHolman@sbzoo.org
Explore Ecology | Isla Vista Community Services District | Various locations across Santa Barbara County | 9am - 12pm
Volunteers of all ages will clean up local beaches and creeks to reduce ocean pollution and keep Santa Barbara beautiful. Cleanup materials will be provided or you can bring your own. Interested in volunteering in Isla Vista? Join IVRPD at their District Office on this Coastal Cleanup Day.
No capacity limit. Pre-register.
Contact: Jill Cloutier, jill@exploreecology.org
Santa Barbara Food Bank | 4554 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara | September 16th - 23rd (Virtual/In-Person)
There are two options for supporting the Santa Barbara Food Bank:
- Contribute a gift by donating to the Food Bank.
- Drop off items at the Mosher Alumni House on 9/23 between 8am-1pm or at the Food Bank on Hollister Ave on 9/22 between 8am-3pm.
Contact: Jenifer Sanregret, jsanregret@foodbanksbc.org | Kelly Smith, ksmith@foodbanksbc.org
Save Our Shores | Various beaches across NorCal | 9am - 11am
Volunteers will clean up beaches by removing trash and debris so the marine ecosystem can thrive. Safety and data collection instructions as well as disposable supplies will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own buckets, gloves, and trash grabbers, if possible. Varying capacity limits for each site. Register to Save Our Shores. To volunteer with members of Olé in the Bay, please sign up for Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz.
Contact: Krista Rogers, krista@saveourshores.org
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy| Ocean Beach, SF | 9am - 12pm
Volunteers will clean up litter at the beach and raise awareness about plastic pollution. Remember to bring your own (BYO) reusable bag or bucket and gloves, if you have them - help us conserve. Participants must register prior to attending the clean-up.
SF-Marin Food Bank | SF-Marin County | September 16th - 23rd (Virtual)
Contribute to the Virtual Food Drive! Your support will allow the SF-Marin Food Bank to provide critical food support to people facing food insecurity.
Contact: volunteer@sfmfoodbank.org
Heal the Bay | Various beaches across LA | 9am - 12pm
Volunteers will help protect coastal wildlife and keep beaches clean and safe by removing trash and clearing out debris from waterways. Capacity limit is 50 - 100, depending on the site. All equipment will be provided. Register.
Contact: Stephanie Gebhardt, sgebhardtrath@healthebay.org
Good+ Foundation | 4403 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 | 9am-12pm (Virtual)
Help dismantle multi-generational poverty by giving to the Good+ Foundation, which pairs tangible goods with innovative service to create an upward trajectory for low-income families. Donate directly to the Good+ Foundation or shop on Amazon.
Contact: Anastasia Marotta, anastasia@goodplusfoundation.org
Feeding San Diego | 9477 Waples St, Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92121 | 9am - 11am
Volunteers will sort and pack foods at the distribution center. Please register. 20-person capacity limit.
Contact: Harriet Deppe, volunteersd@feedingsandiego.org
San Diego Food Bank | 9850 Distribution Ave., San Diego, CA 92121 | September 16th - 23rd (Virtual)
Contribute to the Virtual Food Drive! Your support will enable the San Diego Food Bank to provide vital food assistance to people facing food insecurity.
Contact: Eliza Barranco, ebarranco@sandiegofoodbank.org
Lasagna Love | Various across the U.S. | September 16th - 23rd
Volunteers get matched to bake and deliver a lasagna to a person in need. Become a Lasagna Love volunteer.
Contact: info@lasagnalove.org
White Pony Express | Pleasant Hill, CA | September 16th - 23rd
There are so many ways to help eliminate hunger and poverty with White Pony Express. Check out the volunteer opportunities.
Contact: WPEAdmin@whiteponyexpress.org
Orange County Beach Clean-Up | Tower 4, Huntington Beach | 8am-11am
Clean up Huntington Beach with Orange County alumna, Aleena McGinnis. Start at Tower 4, going north. No capacity limit. Please bring your own equipment.
Contact: Aleena McGinnis, aleenamcginnis@gmail.com
Moonlight Beach Clean-Up | Moonlight Beach, Encinitas CA | 8:30am-11am
Clean up Moonlight Beach in Encinitas with San Diego alum, Rick Ganzer. Meet at the parking lot near the center ramp that leads down to the beach. No capacity limit. Please bring your own equipment.
Contact: Rick Ganzer, rickganzer@yahoo.com
Project Sign Up Form
Registration closes on Thursday, September 21st.