USC Alumni Day of SCervice

Alumni Day of Service, Saturday, March 23, 2024

On Saturday, March 23, during our annual USC Alumni Day of SCervice, Trojans came together to make a difference in their local communities by participating in various community service projects around the world. Huge thanks to all of our project hosts, who made this special day possible, as well as all the volunteers who showed up to make an impact.

Fight On!

Photos

Impact Stories

Prepare Meal Kits for Youth – Aloha, OR

  • Benefiting: Good SamariKidz
  • Hosted by: Amanda Choi ’08

Thank you so much for helping package 5 days worth of food for 120 unhoused Beaverton students in such a short time. The packages were delivered to a nearby church after the event for distribution. Due to our budget, I was limited in what items I could buy, but hopefully this will help the students.

I hope to plant small seeds for the kids that came to help out. We read the book Maddie’s Fridge and it’s one of my favorites in teaching empathy to young children about hunger, charity, friendship, trust and helping others. Good Samarikidz is my passion project and hopefully lets little ones know they can make an impact even at a young age.

— Amanda Choi

group photo

Sort and Pack Rescued Product – Atlanta, GA

  • Benefiting: Atlanta Food Bank
  • Hosted by: Jim Summers ’74

Regardless of USC Trojan victories over UCLA, Stanford and Notre Dame, I am most proud to be a USC alum every year on a Saturday in March–the annual USC Alumni Day of SCervice. Spanning the globe, more than 2,000 members of the Trojan Family gathered to volunteer at deserving charities and give back to their respective local communities. In Atlanta, twenty-five members of the USC ATL Trojan Family gathered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank Hunger Action Center to fight food insecurity in our community. Our volunteers inspected, sorted and packed 8,460 pounds of food for distribution across the ACFB service area, translating to 7,050 meals for food-insecure families in north Georgia. We truly did meaningful and transformative work. Proud to be a USC ATL Trojan!

University of Southern California Trojan Family – Lifelong and Worldwide!

✌️FIGHT ON, Y’all!✌️

— Jim Summers

Day of Service volunteers in Atlanta

Professional Attire and Career Shop – Houston, TX

  • Benefiting: Institute for Careers and Leadership Development
  • Hosted by: Ashley Davis ’02

We hosted a project because we enjoy giving back and knew the ideal opportunity to do so. We’ve always had a passion for teens and college students as they prep for the job-ready market and this was perfect… to spring clean closets as a pay-it-forward initiative. Our project benefits Prairie View A & M’s Career Closet to assist students in feeling and looking their best as they prepare for job interviews. We were also able to collect evening attire and summer attire for those students who attend galas, and oftentimes, summer internships. It is so valuable for the community to understand that not every student is equipped to know how to properly present themselves and how to actually dress for success. Our volunteers launched friendships and one in particular really enjoyed learning more about USC and Houston alums.

— Ashley Davis


Battleship USS Iowa Beautification – Los Angeles, CA

  • Benefiting: USS Iowa
  • Hosted by: USC Alumni Veterans Network & Marshall Alumni Association, LA Region

I hosted the project because I’m a veteran and the USS Iowa has much significance to the veteran community. The ship hosts numerous veteran events during the year and is the center of the annual U.S. Navy Fleet Week.

The USS Iowa is maintained by an almost entirely volunteer crew. So the project benefits everyone who visits the historic battleship.

With this project we were able to clean parts of the ship that the full- time volunteers could not get to. We left the ship looking a lot cleaner than when we started.

— Bertin Guillory

volunteers pose on the USS Iowa

Help Grow Healthy Food and Beautiful Flowers – Santa Cruz, CA

  • Benefiting: Common Roots Farm
  • Hosted by: USC Alumni in the Bay Area

I led a group at Common Roots Farm in Santa Cruz. The farm was built to be a place where people of all abilities can work and have a sense of purpose. In addition, they are using organic and restorative farming practices. Doing even a small part to make this possible is worth a few hours of weeding. 🙂

— Lesley Ruzon

Day of SCervice volunteers

Walk and Distribute Necessities – Hong Kong, HK

  • Benefiting: ImpactHK
  • Hosted by: USC Alumni Club of Hong Kong

USC alumni and Impact HK worked as a team to serve homeless people in Hong Kong. We are here to make our city a better place where everyone cares for their neighbor!✌️

— Garrick Tang

group photo on a Hong Kong street

Walking Path Litter Removal – Newport, OR

  • Benefiting: City of Newport
  • Hosted by: Helen Beaman ’13

I moved to a rural coastal community 4 years ago, and am now faraway from the Day of SCervice projects I used to participate in, but I didn’t want to miss out on this meaningful tradition. My community sees a lot of tourism–for the most part, year-round–so you add in coastal winds and you have a recipe for a lot of litter and debris in high-utilization areas. I enjoy jogging and walking my dogs along a particular pathway in South Newport and have often thought about picking up litter in the area. This project gave me an opportunity to represent USC as an ambassador for community service as well as for my profession (social work) that upholds volunteerism as a core value. I enjoyed a lovely morning in the sunshine, tidying up a beautiful recreational path in my community! FIGHT ON!

— Helen Beaman

trash pickup volunteers stnd by a truck

Prepare Food for Distribution to Low-Income Seniors – Garden Grove, CA

  • Benefiting: OC Food Bank
    Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC)
  • Hosted by: USC Gould Alumni Association of Orange County
    USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

I wanted to do more community service with my 12-year-old daughter. We did this same project last year and she really enjoyed it, which is what prompted me to help host the project this year. Community Action Partnership of Orange County had a very efficient system set up for volunteers and we packed 1,400 boxes of food for hungry seniors.

It was an early start and became a cold, rainy day, but our Trojan Family showed up and showed out! It was great to see volunteers of all ages come together to give back. Fight On!

— Fred Thiagarajah

Day of SCervice volunteers posing

Knit Hats for Premature Babies in Local Hospital NICUs – UPC, CA

  • Benefiting: Local hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)
  • Hosted by: USC Viterbi Emerging Leaders Board

We collaborated on this service project alongside USC Madhatter Knits, a local chapter of the main organization that specializes in knitting hats for premature babies in nearby hospital NICUs. While seemingly small, this act carries a profound impact. Maintaining a stable body temperature is crucial for the growth and well-being of premature babies. The hats crafted by Madhatter Knits play a vital role in helping these infants regulate their body temperature and stay warm. During the Day of SCervice, we collectively created over 20 hats that will be donated to local hospitals, ultimately aiding premature babies in their progress. It’s remarkable how something seemingly small can make a significant difference in the lives of these little ones.

— Angela Wilson

group photo

Guanyin Mountain Clean-Up – Taiwan

  • Benefiting: North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Headquarters
  • Hosted by: USC Alumni Club of Taiwan

On Saturday, March 23, it was a great sunny day. We were doing volunteer work at Guanyin Mountain in Taipei to clean the mountain. There were 41 volunteers willing to come from many places, which really touched me. One alum took the bus to Taipei the day before. Another took the high-speed train at 5:30 that morning. Still another brought their whole family, a total of six people, including his three-year-old twins. One brought his mother who is eighty years old, but at least in super good shape. The special thing is that four non-Taiwanese alumni also signed up. One of them was a 2023 graduate and salutatorian, Carina, who came to Taiwan as a Fulbright student to teach English for one year. It took a long time for her and her friends from Hualien to get to the site.

USC is definitely a common topic for everyone. We all got to know each other in a short time, and with the same goal in mind, we rolled up our sleeves to clean up the mountain.

We were sweaty, but happy, and our work brought us spiritual satisfaction, since we all have respect for the beauty of nature.

Thank you to every volunteer who got up early and came from so many places to join us. Society is better because of you. Thanks to the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center for giving us the opportunity to return nature to its original appearance. Thank you USC for allowing us to unite the power of alumni in this way.

Fight On!

— Yu-Chi Lee (Vicky)

group photo

Sakura Gardens Beautification – Los Angeles, CA

  • Benefiting: Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility
  • Hosted by: USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association

When walking through the community gardens at Sakura Gardens, a senior care home in Boyle Heights, one can tell that at one point it was incredibly beautiful. A bed of roses, a pair of apple trees, even a namesake sakura cherry tree hidden way towards the back. However, in recent years, the community garden has seen a lack of care –grass and weeds have now overgrown the more delicate plants and now make it incredibly difficult to provide basic care for even the larger trees. However, it isn’t for lack of effort. Up until last year, two seniors –one in her 80s and the second in her 90s–had been the sole caretakers of the entire garden. A few months ago, one of them passed away. This is where USC Trojans stepped in–helping the remaining caretaker of the community garden clear the dense grass and remove invasive weeds. Slowly, as we cleared the grass and weeds away, we all started re-discovering the beauty of the community garden that had been hidden away for so many years.

— Martin Nguyen

group photo

Plant and Learn About Healthy Veggies, Pasadena, CA

  • Benefiting: Families Forward Learning Center
  • Hosted by: Cheryl Holcomb ’81

My USC alumni group–USC Trojan Affiliates–asked if I would chair a Day of SCervice project. I said yes because my friend and fellow TA member is the director of Families Forward preschool. It is an amazing program in Pasadena CA that also educates parents. As a retired teacher, it was a great opportunity to serve children and their families along with fellow alumni. What an amazing day with some of the kindest alumni ever!! Everyone gained through this fabulous event by planting and learning about veggies!

— Cheryl Holcomb


Help Pregnant Women in Need – Orange, CA

  • Benefiting: Casa Teresa
  • Hosted by: USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association

Casa Teresa offers housing and educational programs to pregnant homeless women, equipping them with the necessary skills to live independently.

Every month they receive new clothes donated by manufacturers. We sorted and prepared them to be sold at their thrift shop that provides funding for Casa Teresa which houses as many as 35 mothers and children. Some of the volunteers even bought clothes–it was a perfect day.

— Stephen Takeda ’80

group photo

Pack Humanitarian Aid Items for the Homeless – UPC Campus

  • Benefiting: Khalsa Peace Corps’ Share A Meal Program
  • Hosted by: Ravinder Singh ’91

The Share A Meal project of Khalsa Peace Corps hosted a project this year to confirm our hunch that USC alumni and others would like to give back to their local community, and would spend a couple hours packing humanitarian aid packages that would later be distributed to neighbors in need in the local USC community. The USC/URC location, the no experience required, and the short weekend time slot yielded an enthusiastic response. The ages spanned from middle school to retirement age. The volunteers were so motivated that they packed 200 full humanitarian aid packages and 150 feminine hygiene packages in the first hour. We could tell that next year, we can more than double our output!

A light meal was served to the volunteers. While enjoying the meal, volunteers had questions about how to get more involved with distributing the meals and humanitarian aid packages. We shared that USC has a Share A Meal Student Club on campus, and that they go out on Wednesday and Friday nights to serve hot meals, water and humanitarian aid items to the local community. We explained how grateful the recipients of these provisions are for easing their daily struggles a bit. They are heartened to learn that people they don’t even know have taken time from their lives to extend such kindness and concern for them.

The items we were packing were in part corporate donations, and in part purchased through donated funds from individuals, businesses and grants such as the USC Good Neighbors Grant Program. Everyone was thankful to have been part of the project, and some were motivated to follow through on nightly person-to-person distribution with the USC Share A Meal student club.

It was a rewarding project to sponsor and we look forward to expanding our output next year.

— Ravinder Singh


Collect Sports Gear and Equipment for Underprivileged Youth – Granada Hills, CA

  • Benefiting: A2Z Athletics
  • Hosted by: Lusine Lalabekyan ’98

This project was inspired by our son and his love for sports. We hosted this project with him. Sports is a big part of his life and this project was a means for us to give back to our community and benefit other kids and teens who love sports but may not be able to play because of the financial burden associated with the cost of gear and equipment. This was a drop-off event, but some of the volunteers collected and sorted the donations which will be distributed to various organizations benefiting underprivileged youth.

— Lusine Lalabekyan

group photo

Provide Basic Necessities to Migrants Living in Encampments – CDMX, Mexico

  • Benefiting: Fundación Humano y Libre AC
  • Hosted by: USC Mexico Office

SCervice is my favorite alumni engagement event of the year, and I love participating. It gets me to do some community service and learn about different parts of the city and to interact with people from different backgrounds. This year we collected donations for breakfast items, hygiene items, and clothes and shoes, and took them to migrants living in street encampments. We got to meet and speak with migrants from Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua and Haiti, many of whom are traveling with children, and who were all very appreciative of a little conversation and some help with basic necessities. We learned about some of the hardships the migrants are living with and we were able to bring some cheer to one of the city’s most vulnerable and overlooked populations.

— Angela McCracken

group photo

Ocean Front Street Clean-Up – Redondo Beach, CA

  • Benefiting: Keep the Esplanade Beautiful
  • Hosted by: Tiffany Aguirre ’91

I hosted this project because I am a lifelong community member, and the Esplanade is a short, unique ocean-front walk, and this organization’s mission is to maintain and enhance it.

— Tiffany Aguirre

sign on a table

Food Box Assembly and Distribution – Los Angeles, CA

  • Benefiting: AfricActive
  • Hosted by: USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association

I hosted a project this year after becoming involved in AfricActive at a previous Day of SCervice. Through its weekly food distribution, AfricActive addresses the pressing need for food security among vulnerable populations, exacerbated by economic challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosting the event for USC alumni is a great way to foster a sense of solidarity and support within our community.

By organizing the food distribution event, we not only address immediate hunger but also contribute to the long-term resilience of our community.

Volunteers set up the food distribution site, unloaded all of the donated food and supplies, and packed and distributed family boxes to everybody who came to the site.

— Stephanie Chow

group photo

Volunteer to Support Alzheimer’s Research – San Diego, CA

  • Benefiting: Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute & Sharp Mesa Vista
  • Hosted by: Keck School of Medicine of USC

I hosted this project as a proud San Diego alum, who is lucky enough to work for our alma mater in my hometown for a cause that means so much to me personally. My paternal grandfather died of Alzheimer’s and my maternal grandmother currently suffers from dementia. The Keck School of Medicine of USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute put on an amazing event with over 250 attending, with over 90 people participating in AlzMatch, and including all our local Alzheimer’s partners. We had over 30 Day of SCervice volunteers make the day possible. We also screened the film Remembering Gene Wilder and welcomed Karen B. Wilder at the event.

This work has helped us in our efforts to provide the most up-to-date Alzheimer’s research information to our community. Currently there are over 100,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease in San Diego.

— Shelly Moore

group photo

Spend Time with Children with Intellectual Disabilities – Santiago, Chile

  • Benefiting: Fundación Abrazo Fraterno
  • Hosted by: USC Club in Chile

I hosted the project because it provided value for the people we spent time with and the USC community in Chile.

— Matías Sepúlveda

group photo

Ocean Beach Clean-Up – San Francisco, CA

  • Benefiting: TogetherSF
  • Hosted by: USC Marshall Alumni Bay Area

Partnering with TogetherSF to help clean up Ocean Beach, a popular sand beach adjacent to Golden Gate Park, was a wonderful opportunity to bring Trojans in the Bay Area together to beautify a gathering place we have all enjoyed. In a time when there are a lot of negative opinions about San Francisco, it was a joy to show up for our community and remove litter that could have been dangerous to wildlife and people. The manager of the Ocean Beach Cafe is a passionate resident, and he spoke on behalf of the community with words of appreciation for helping to keep their neighborhood clean. In 2 hours, our group filled dozens of trash bags with waste from across Ocean Beach, including plastic wrappers, cigarette butts, broken glass, and oddities like a rusted old power tool and a wine corkscrew! We are proud to say the area is clean, safe and beautiful now for all the people enjoying their time at the beach because of the work we did.

— Seth Novosel


Help People with Food Insecurities – Albuquerque, NM

  • Benefiting: Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico
  • Hosted by: USC Alumni in New Mexico

I’ve hosted this project for several years. New Mexico has a small number of alumni who gather for game watches and the SCervice project. It has grown slightly in the past few years, with hope of a better football team.

The project usually helps the food banks around town. People in NM are poor and need the food bank to help feed families.

Volunteers get to know each and feel good helping others.

— Diane DeReyes


Sort and Organize Donated Clothes – Irvine, CA

  • Benefiting: Working Wardrobes
  • Hosted by: USC Marshall Alumni Association of Orange County

USC Alumni Day of SCervice is such a wonderful tradition and one of my very favorite annual USC events! While it always feels good to give back to the local community, it is extra special to support a worthwhile cause while volunteering with my fellow alumni!

For the past 8 years, I have participated in the USC Marshall Alumni of Orange County’s SCervice project in partnership with the Working Wardrobes Donation Center located in Irvine. I have enjoyed serving as the Day of SCervice Event Co-Lead for the past two years.

I continue to be involved with Alumni Day of SCervice and truly enjoy hosting this event because of the sense of community and the opportunity for alumni engagement that this event naturally provides as we all work together to better our community. I love seeing Trojans of all ages working side by side while getting to know each other in such a casual, organic way.

USC Alumni Day of Service is often an alum’s first time getting re-engaged with their alma mater since graduation. As a result, this event provides a wonderful opportunity for us to share more about USC Marshall Alumni of Orange County and to encourage them to attend one of our upcoming alumni engagement events and to bring their Trojan friends, as our events are open to all alumni. We also share the many ways for our project’s volunteers to stay engaged and involved with the Marshall School of Business, the university, and the Trojan Family.

Working Wardrobes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to help people overcome barriers to gainful employment. Through their Rebuilding Careers program, clients gain access to a wide range of career readiness services at no cost to their clients, all completely individualized and delivered with the utmost dignity and respect. No matter what stands between a client and gainful employment, their Rebuilding Careers program will help their clients achieve The Power of a Paycheck™.

Working Wardrobes was so appreciative that our entire group showed up on time, excited to volunteer, and ready to get to work! We handled a variety of responsibilities from the intake of clothing donations being dropped off at the front to sorting, hanging, steaming and organizing clothes by type to then be sent off to either the Working Wardrobes Career Center or to one of their three stores located in Laguna Niguel, Costa Mesa and Garden Grove. Sales from their three stores directly support the clients of Working Wardrobes.

Participating in USC Alumni Day of SCervice always makes me feel extra proud to be a Trojan and serves as a reminder that the power and strength of the Trojan Family is lifelong and worldwide as more than 2,000 Trojan alumni worldwide were volunteering and doing amazing things to better their communities on the same day!

— Victoria Graveline Waiss


Learn about the Needs of People with Visual Impairments – Shanghai, China

  • Benefiting: beYoureyeS
  • Hosted by: USC Alumni Club of Shanghai

We had our Shanghai Alumni Club Day of Scervice this past Saturday, and I would love to share with you that we had a wonderful event and a great turnout.

We had over 30 alumni show up, some with their families. We collaborated with an NGO organization called “Be Your Eyes,” which helps and serves vision-impaired individuals. During the event we cared for and helped these individuals, while at the same time, our alumni really had a deep experience and gained an authentic understanding of the world that vision-impaired individuals live in every day.

What made this Day of SCervice most meaningful is that all participants are able to take what they have learned while volunteering in order to continue to help vision-impaired people in the future.

The USC Shanghai Alumni Club leadership team really helped put this together. I would love to recognize Blessing, Caroline and Gu Tian for helping organizing this event. And thanks to Miao Ling from our USC Shanghai Office for her continual support.

— Phil Li

group photo

CSU/Expo Mini Urban Farm Beautification – Los Angeles, CA

  • Benefiting: Community Services Unlimited Inc
  • Hosted by: Community Services Unlimited Inc.

CSU has been a wonderful Good Neighbors partner and a good neighbor to our community residents for as long as I can remember. The garden is an amazing space of organic joy. The beds are filled with healthy greens and an abundance of hope and loam. The garden gives our neighbors an opportunity to learn and connect with the earth. The produce from the garden is taken to the Village Marketplace to provide truly fresh, healthy vegetables at affordable prices to our neighbors.

The garden truly takes a village to grow. That “many hands” saying? Yes, and yes. Though the rain made things a little challenging, it was still fun for every one, but made us work a little harder and faster to get out of the rain! We were able to work two beds and get them planted with cabbages and bok choy and radishes, spread compost around the banana trees, create starter pots for the next round of plantings, and whatever else that Cris pointed us at. Cris did a great job of keeping everyone occupied and feeling useful. Several individuals were interested in volunteering on a more regular basis, and most people wore USC gear!

— Dawn Kita

group photo

Play at Boys and Girls Club – San Pedro, CA

  • Benefiting: Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor
  • Hosted by: Trojan League of South Bay

Our local Boys and Girls Club are deserving kids in the San Pedro/Wilmington area who benefited from a “Saturday of fun.” We hosted 68 kids and had 30 volunteers PLUS 5 USC Trojan athletes (3 basketball and 2 track and field) come to play. We did several arts and crafts projects, had a healthy Smoothie station (manned by USC students) and basketball play. Due to the rain, we were not able to utilize the John Colich field for outdoor games. Hopefully next year!

It was wonderful for the kids to see student athletes giving back and having fun playing!

— Franci Agajanian

Search by project name, location or host

Assemble Book Kits and Enhance Working Spaces

Joint Educational Project (JEP) House

Los Angeles, CA

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Spend the morning assembling book kits and writing encouraging cards for the many elementary students who participate in JEP's programming. Volunteers of all ages and physical abilities are welcome!
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Joint Educational Project (JEP) House
Location:
801 West 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
40 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Contact:
chapmanm@usc.edu
213-821-3960

Assemble Food Boxes

Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC)

Garden Grove, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Assemble food boxes for vulnerable populations in Orange County and the surrounding areas.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC)
Location:
11870 Monarch Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Time:
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
80 (29 left)
Host(s):
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Contact:
erikamal@usc.edu
213-300-9193

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Closed-toe shoes required.

Ballona Wetlands Habitat Restoration

Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

Playa del Rey, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help clear out invasive vegetation and trash from the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Friends of Ballona Wetland
Location:
303 Culver Boulevard, #1505
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
Time:
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (0 left)
Host(s):
Trojan Women's Network
Contact:
sasha.vidisheva@gmail.com
505-660-5836

Volunteer Instructions

Ages:
Activities are recommended for volunteers ages 7 and up. Volunteers 16 years of age and under should be accompanied by an adult.
Attire:
Close-toed shoes are required. Dress in weather-appropriate "dirt-friendly" layers, along with a hat; long pants are recommended.
Supplies:
Gardening gloves and a full water bottle are highly recommended. All other tools and supplies will be provided.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.
Weather:
The event will be canceled if it’s raining.

Battleship Beautification

USS Iowa

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help us clean this historic battleship.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
USS Iowa
Location:
250 South Harbor Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90731
Time:
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
50 (-1 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Veterans Network
Marshall Alumni Association, LA Region
Contact:
bertin.guillory@gmail.com
alumnichapter_la@marshall.usc.edu

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Attire:
Wear comfortable clothes that might get dirty.
Parking:
Limited free parking is available.
Waiver:
A waiver provided by the USS Iowa will be emailed to all participants.
Weather:
The event will take place rain or shine.

Beautification of Desert Garden

ONE Archives

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help the USC Libraries by volunteering to provide an aesthetic to the desert garden next to the ONE Archives building. This project entails general gardening tasks, such as the trimming, raking, and weeding of various plants.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
USC Libraries
Location:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
15 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Libraries
Contact:
mykelmon@usc.edu

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Since this project involves working around desert plants like cacti, it is strongly recommended to wear closed toe shoes and durable pants. Sunglasses and hats are also recommended.
Supplies:
Gloves, safety goggles, and gardening tools will be provided, but feel free to bring any if you have your own.

Birthday in a Box

Keck Hospital of USC – Healthcare Center 4

Los Angeles, CA

Healthcare | Hospital

Description:
The Birthday in a box program is a service available to patients who have been admitted to the hospital during their birthday. We ensure that the patient’s birthday is recognized by providing an opportunity to celebrate with their families and care team. Birthday in a Box is created for patients by USC alumni and volunteers during USC Day of Service.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Keck Medical Center of USC
Location:
1450 San Pablo Street
Los Angeles, CA 91709
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
24 (0 left)
Host(s):
Diana Geosano '69
Keck Medical Center of USC
Contact:
kayla.nagel@med.usc.edu
323-442-8516

Volunteer Instructions

Food & Beverage:
Breakfast will be provided
Parking:
Free parking at the P6 Parking Structure

Chinatown / International District Street Clean-Up

Seattle's Chinatown / International District

Seattle, WA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Clean the streets of Seattle's Chinatown / International District. Equipment will be provided by the Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA).
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA)
Location:
423 Maynard Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
Time:
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (14 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in Seattle
Contact:
nelsonshenchen@hotmail.com
206-437-1447

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a waiver signed by parents.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Volunteers need to be able to be up to pick up litter with tongs for two hours.
Waiver:
Volunteers must fill out a waiver and e-mail it to yongkang@cidbia.org.

City Park Beautification

Lawrence Virgilio Playground

Queens, NY

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Beautify a neighborhood green space through cleaning, painting and gardening.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
City Parks Foundation
Location:
39th Rd
Queens, NY 11377
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
Capacity:
35 (4 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in New York
Contact:
victoriajiwonpark@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Waiver:
Required.

Citywide Clean-Up Initiative

Timrod Park

Florence, SC

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help rake, blow or bag leaves in a local park and the West Cherokee Road neighborhoods.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
City of Florence
Location:
400 Timrod Park Drive
Florence, SC 29501
Time:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
Capacity:
25 (25 left)
Host(s):
Shana Harrison '00, '07
Contact:
harrison_shanac@yahoo.com
843-409-4868

Volunteer Instructions

Supplies:
Disposable gloves, lawn and leaf bags, yard rakes and cordless blowers will be provided, along with wheelbarrow/wagons/rolling carts. Free t-shirts too!
Food & Beverage:
Bagged lunches and bottled drinks (e.g. Gatorade) provided.
Weather:
If severe weather occurs, project may be canceled.

Clean, Sort, and Box Food

LA Food Bank

City of Industry, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Clean, sort and box food that will be distributed to people in need through a network of more than 600 agency partners.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
LA Food Bank
Location:
2300 Pellissier Place
City of Industry, CA 90601
Time:
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (0left)
Host(s):
USC Gould Alumni Association of LA
Aya Ichida '97
Contact:
aichida@law.usc.edu

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and have a guardian sign a child waiver.
Attire:
Please wear closed-toe shoes; no heels, open-toe shoes, or sandals are allowed inside the warehouse. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes.
Parking:
Available on-site.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Collect Sports Gear and Equipment for Underprivileged Youth

The Lot at Orthodontic Centers of California

Granada Hills, CA

Other

Description:
Help collect gently used sports gear (clothing items, uniforms, athletic shoes, accessories, etc.) and equipment to donate to underprivileged youth in the community.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
A2Z Athletics
Location:
17745 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills, CA 91344
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
100 (82 left)
Host(s):
Lusine Lalabekyan '98
Ara Jil-Agopian
Contact:
818-458-4977

Volunteer Instructions

Other:
Donations will be accepted in the parking lot behind the building.

Color Pages to Send to Seniors, Kids and Troops Overseas

Zoom

Arts & Crafts

Description:
Gather online to color, chat and send colored pages to senior citizens, kids, our troops overseas and anyone in need of a smile.
Type:
Virtual
Organization:
Color A Smile
Location:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88963478401?pwd=cWRGRGRKQ09lRGJObkJHWVZrRHNRZz09
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
200 (134 left)
Host(s):
Latino Alumni Advisory Board/USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Contact:
mirianjuarez.lcsw@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Supplies:
Please print coloring pages ahead of time. We will provide them by email, or you can go to the organizations website to download and print https

Community Cleanup at Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Join the Black Alumni Association Young Professionals Council for a community clean up at Martin Luther King Jr. Park! Meet us starting at 10 am on Alumni Day of SCervice to give back – right in USC’s backyard. Gloves and equipment will be provided
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Location:
3916 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90062
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
30 (20 left)
Host(s):
Black Alumni Association Young Professionals Council
Aria Aaron '21
Contact:
aria.aaron@gmail.com
615-428-2769

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Come dressed comfortably and in clothes that can get dirty. We encourage wearing USC swag as well.
Weather:
The service project will be held weather permitting (if sunny or light rain).

CSU/Expo Mini Urban Farm Beautification

CSU/Expo Mini Urban Farm

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help out with a range of activities, from harvesting plants to clearing trash. Tasks vary based on the farm's needs when you volunteer.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Community Services Unlimited Inc
Location:
3990 Bill Robertson Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (0 left)
Host(s):
Community Services Unlimited Inc.
Good Neighbors Campaign
Contact:
cris@csuinc.org

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Dress in light layered clothes that are appropriate for farm work. Bring sunblock and a hat. Please wear closed-toe shoes, no flip flops or sandals!
Other:
This space is a working farm, so you will be required to follow guidelines that will be explained during the opening orientation circle. We therefore ask that all parties in a group arrive together (unless other arrangements have been made with us before hand). Groups of volunteers under 17 years of age will be supervised by adults.
Supplies:
Garden gloves and tools will be provided.

Decorate and Pack Lunches for Preschool-Age Children

The Upside Pub

Houston, TX

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Decorate and pack lunch bags for preschool-age children in need.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Kids' Meals Inc
Location:
3402 N Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77018
Time:
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
30 (19 left)
Host(s):
Paige Lujan '08
Contact:
paige@upsidepub.com

Depaul LA Casa Milagrosa Clean-Up

Casa Milagroa

Los Angeles, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Clean and prep this day center for the homeless.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Depaul LA Casa Milagrosa
Location:
161 South Alvarado Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Time:
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (7 left)
Host(s):
Paulo Rodrigues '19
Contact:
paulor@usc.edu
323-449-9793

Volunteer Instructions

Parking:
Lot parking limited to 8 cars. We suggest carpooling or finding parking nearby. There is meter parking on Valley Street.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Distribute Food and Clothing to People in Need

Soup Kitchen London

London, United Kingdom

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Distribute food and clothing to homeless people on and around Tottenham Court Road.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Soup Kitchen London
Location:
79A Tottenham Court Road
London W1T4TD
United Kingdom
Time:
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (0:00) Dublin, London, Monrovia, Casablanca
Capacity:
12 (12 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in London
Contact:
rhodriodavies@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Food & Beverage:
We must provide food & drinks to donate to the vulnerable and homeless we meet on our walk through central London.The food we give must be made in a commercial kitchen and sealed with an allergen label.

Evergreen Cemetery Clean-Up

Evergreen Cemetery

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help us clean up Evergreen Cemetery, the final resting place of approximately 40 Japanese American WWII veterans, including four Medal of Honor recipients.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Go For Broke National Education Center
Location:
204 North Evergreen Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC APAA Young Alumni Council
USC Marshall Young Alumni Council
Contact:
joycelynkyip@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Attire :
Wear outdoor clothes that you don't mind getting a little dirty.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Need to be able to walk, maneuver and lift up to 10 lbs.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Exploratorium Exhibits Clean-Up

Exploratorium

San Francisco, CA

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Assist with exhibit cleaning and other miscellaneous tasks. Post clean-up, volunteers are welcome to stay and enjoy the museum free of charge.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Exploratorium
Location:
Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Time:
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (0 left)
Host(s):
Emily Chow '21
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Contact:
26emilychow@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 18 years of age or older.

Food Box Assembly and Distribution

Rancho Cienega Park

Los Angeles, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Organize supplied food and packages into one-week boxes for distribution to the community. Join us to set up, assemble and put out palettes, tables and tents; offload food from trucks; organize food on tables and set up assembly line; fill boxes and hand out to vehicles and walk-ups; break down everything and clean up.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
AfricActive
Location:
5036 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Time:
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
15 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Contact:
510-556-1382

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Closed-toe shoes and gripped gloves are recommended. We operate outside, so please check the weather to dress appropriately.
By Train:
Take the E line to La Brea/Expo station. Come down the east exit and we are located in the park.
By Car:
From the I-10, head south on La Brea Blvd. GO UNDER the Expo Line Bridge, TURN LEFT into the Price Self Storage Unit parking lot where you can safely U-TURN back on to La Brea and TURN RIGHT onto Exposition Blvd BEFORE the bridge.
If approaching from Obama Blvd. TURN North onto La Brea Blvd. PASS the Superior Grocery store and the Price Self Storage Unit and immediately after, TURN RIGHT into the side street, BEFORE the bridge.:

Guanyin Mountain Clean-Up

Guanyinshan Niugangleng Trail

New Taipei City, Taiwan

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help us collect trash and other debris from the Guanyin Mountain Trail in New Taipei City.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Headquarters
Location:
No. 130, Section 3, Lingyun Road, Wugu District,
New Taipei City 248
Taiwan
Time:
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
Capacity:
50 (5 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Club of Taiwan
Contact:
vickylee1029@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Weather:
If the weather is bad, we will consider canceling the event for safety reasons.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Exhibits Clean-Up

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

San Jose, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Do you have a passion for nature, animals and outdoor fun?
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a division of the City of San José, Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Department and is supported through partnership with Happy Hollow Foundation.
Volunteers will help staff with an onsite project, possible projects include:
(1) gardening (backyard habitat, around the bird aviary, etc.)
(2) enclosure work (substrate spreading for goat & sheep contact yard, meerkat enclosure, etc.)
(3) trash pick-up (everywhere!)
(4) zoo building/painting project (possible)
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Location:
748 Story Road
San Jose, CA 95112
Time:
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
30 (17 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in NorCal
USC APAA Bay Area
Contact:
kevinchuang@alumni.usc.edu
650-336-8901

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older (please contact at least 48 hours prior if you have underage children for special accommodations)
Attire:
Wear closed-toed shoes and clothing you are comfortable getting dirty.
Food & Beverage:
Bring refillable water bottles.
Parking:
Parking passes will be provided.
Supplies:
Tools will be provided and group will be assigned to staff.
Waiver:
Printed participation waiver will need to be signed and brought onsite (or can be signed onsite).
Weather:
If it rains, there may be an indoor project or project may be rescheduled.

Harvest Farm Produce for Distribution

Harvest Solutions Farm

Irvine, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Help harvest produce for distribution to people in need.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Harvest Solutions Farm Irvine (Second Harvest)
Location:
12751 Lambert Road
Irvine, CA 92618
Time:
7:30 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
80 (20 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Entrepreneurs Network
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Contact:
626-688-6008

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Children 7 years of age and older are welcome.
Attire:
Closed-toed shoes and pants are required. Hats and sunscreen are suggested.
Food and Beverage:
There will be drinking water available on-site, but you are welcome to bring your own water, or reusable bottle for refilling. Light breakfast snacks provided.
Parking:
Easy parking right outside the farm.
Supplies:
If you have your own set of gardening gloves or suede/leather gloves, please feel free to bring them. In case you do not bring a pair of gloves, you will be provided with single-use gloves.
Weather:
Rain or shine.
Waiver:
Waiver must be signed prior to event.

Help Grow Healthy Food and Beautiful Flowers

Common Roots Farm

Santa Cruz, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Come and get your hands dirty while doing GOOD! Provide labor at Common Roots Farm, where adults with disabilities join with others to grow healthy food, beautiful flowers and create friendships that sustain everyone.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Common Roots Farm
Location:
301 Golf Club Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (15 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in the Bay Area
Contact:
lesley.ruzon@gmail.com
650-861-0650

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Children are welcome to participate with parental supervision. We suggest children 8 years of age and older.
Attire:
Wear sturdy shoes and clothing you don't mind getting muddy.
Supplies:
Gardening gloves are recommended.
Weather:
We will postpone in case of rain.

Help Homeless Families in Need

SPIN

Costa Mesa, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Collect, organize and deliver supplies for homeless families in need.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Serving People in Need (SPIN)
Location:
151 Kalmus Drive, Suite H2
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
100 (28 left)
Host(s):
Trojan League of Orange County
Diane Heimstaedt '83
Contact:
heimstaedtfamily@yahoo.com

Volunteer Instructions

Food & Beverage:
Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Help People with Food Insecurities

Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico Warehouse

Albuquerque, NM

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Check, clean, label, sort, repack and box food and non-food packaged items for distribution to the needy throughout New Mexico.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico
Location:
5840 Office Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Time:
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (-7:00) Mountain
Capacity:
20 (5 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in New Mexico
Contact:
505-306-0257

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Children between the ages of 8 and 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Attire:
Wear USC gear
Physical Ability/Activity:
Be able to lift up to 20 lbs. and stand for extended periods of time.Volunteers should be able to perform tasks that may be physically demanding, such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending and reaching. We are a fully functioning food warehouse, so volunteers may be working near large equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks.
Other:
Cellphone and ear bud/headphone use is restricted.
PLEASE BE ON TIME-8:
00 AM.

Help Pregnant Women in Need

Casa Teresa

Orange, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Teach young mothers in need how to cook healthy meals and learn computer skills. Sort clothes in the thrift shop and do a light clean of the office.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Casa Teresa
Location:
Hosts will share address information with registrants before the event.
Orange, CA
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (3 left)
Host(s):
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Stephen Takeda '80
Contact:
steve.takeda@gmail.com

Knit Hats for Premature Babies in Local Hospital NICUs

USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience - MCB 101 and MCB 102

Los Angeles, CA

Arts & Crafts

Description:
Participants will have the opportunity to knit hats for premature babies in local hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), providing comfort and warmth to these newborns in need. Join us in spreading love and support through this meaningful act of crafting.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
USC Madhatter Knits
Location:
1002 Childs Way
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
57 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Viterbi Emerging Leaders Board
Contact:
a.wilson@usc.edu
661-974-3525

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 5 years of age or older. Volunteers under the age of 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Food & Beverage:
Complimentary refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please inform the site contact of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Parking:
Free parking is available at Downey Way Parking Structure, located at 3667 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089.

Learn about the Needs of People with Visual Impairments

古美公园蓝睛灵公益实践基地

上海市, 上海, China

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Learn about the deeper needs of the visually impaired by participating in workshops and activities, including a relay race, with the goal of promoting accessibility for all.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
beYoureyeS
Location:
闵行区平吉路799号
上海市, 上海 200020
China
Time:
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
Capacity:
50 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Club of Shanghai
Contact:
blessing.waung@gmail.com
8618420021060

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Wear comfortable clothing.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Organize water for walkers/runners in relay race.

Learn Etiquette for Interacting with the Visually Impaired

Mari Vee's

San Marino, CA

Healthcare | Hospital

Description:
Participate in experiential workshops to learn etiquette for interacting with the visually impaired, such as guiding them through public areas. Engage in open discussions to understand the challenges faced by the blind community. Also, donations of essential supplies, like white canes, are encouraged. Engage with organizations dedicated to supporting the visually impaired community.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
National Federation for the Blind
Location:
2150 Huntington Dr
San Marino, CA 91108
Time:
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
60 (51 left)
Host(s):
Roy Payan '23
Gary Wat
Contact:
garywat.realestate@gmail.com
626-236-2709

Volunteer Instructions

Food & Beverage:
Water and light refreshments will be provided.
Other:
We ask volunteers to bring donations of white canes, and other essential supplies.

Los Angeles Mission Beautification and Food Bank Assistance

The Los Angeles Mission

Los Angeles, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Paint rooms, sweep and mop floors and other miscellaneous custodial tasks. Sort and prepare food boxes at warehouse location: 351 South Anderson Street, LA, CA 90033.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Los Angeles Mission
Location:
316 Winston Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Time:
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
60 (29 left)
Host(s):
USC Latino Alumni Association
Contact:
arandam@usc.edu

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 14 years of age or older.
Attire:
Face masks are optional but highly recommended. Dress appropriately for clean-up projects (no shorts, tank/halter tops or open-toed shoes).
Parking:
No on-site parking. Metered street parking or nearby parking garages. Rideshare and carpooling encouraged.
Waiver:
Complete online. Details will be sent to all registered volunteers.

Make Art with Underprivileged Children and Raise Funds

SDMC Primary School, Hauz Khas

Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India

Arts & Crafts

Description:
Provide mandalas for underprivileged children to color in the spirit of the festival of Holi. Also, help raise funds to buy art supplies for their school.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
SDMC Primary School, Hauz Khas
Location:
F/12, Block F Road, Block F, Police Colony
Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016
India
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (+5:30) Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, New Delhi
Capacity:
20 (18 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Club of Delhi/North India
Contact:
rhea.agrawal1130@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Dress appropriately for the event, preferably semi-formal clothing.
Parking:
The school is located in a narrow lane, nearby parking may not be available. Hiring drivers is encouraged!

Make Easter Eggs and Goody Bags

Nyeland Acres Community Center

Oxnard, CA

Youth Outreach

Description:
Help prepare for Nyeland Promise's first Easter Celebration and Resource Fair by filling up Easter eggs with candy and making goody bags for underserved children.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Nyeland Promise
Location:
3334 Santa Clara Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93036
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
10 (0 left)
Host(s):
Brenda Heredia '18
Contact:
bheredia@usc.edu

Volunteer Instructions

Weather:
Rain or shine, the event is on.

Make Fight On Necklaces

The Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower

Los Angeles, CA

Arts & Crafts

Description:
Handmade beaded necklaces for women fighting life battles
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Town and Gown
Location:
1450 Biggy Street. Rooms LG 503-504
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
65 (0 left)
Host(s):
Town and Gown of USC benefiting Keck Medicine
Contact:
carolmollett@aol.com

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 5 years of age or older
Parking:
Please park at the Biggy Lot at1334 Biggy Street, LA 90033

Mentor Youth on Career Day

Future Ties

Chicago, IL

Youth Outreach

Description:
Share your professional experiences and advice with high school students during one-on-one and group career pathway discussions over lunch.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Future Ties
Location:
6330 S King Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
Time:
11:00 PM - 1:00 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
20 (6 left)
Host(s):
Dr. Airies Davis '16
Contact:
generaldrad@gmail.com
312-725-8551

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Adults with career experiences at any level, including recent graduates and current college students.

National Park Beautification

National Park -Washington DC monument area

Washington, DC

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help us do a spring clean-up: weeding, raking, sweeping, collecting trash and debris, etc. Actual tasks will be posted soon. Please note that the address provided is for the Jefferson Memorial, but our assignment may be at a different location.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
National Park Service
Location:
16 East Basin Drive SW
Washington, DC 20242
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
Capacity:
30 (16 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in Washington D.C.
Contact:
703-395-4048

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Any participant under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign a waiver.
Attire:
Dress for the weather, expecting to do light to medium manual labor outside.
Food & Beverage:
Usually not provided but sometimes water is available.
Parking:
No assigned parking but there is usually parking available around the monuments early on a Saturday in March. Metro should be running as well.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Not everyone has to do the same thing but example activities include weeding, raking, sweeping, etc. IF there is any heaving lifting (50 lbs or so) a number of us can do that.
Supplies:
Materials and tools provided. Bring gloves.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.
Weather:
The group leader decides whether or not to cancel a project, particularly as it relates to inclement weather. Expect to cancel the project in case of heavy to medium rain. ALL projects will be canceled in severe weather conditions (ie. thunder and lightning) due to safety concerns.

Ocean Beach Clean-Up

Ocean Beach Cafe

San Francisco, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Pick up trash and litter to restore the natural beauty of Ocean Beach and protect marine life.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
TogetherSF
Location:
734 La Playa Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
Time:
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
50 (8 left)
Host(s):
USC Marshall Alumni Bay Area
Contact:
303-859-6698

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes.
Parking:
Street parking.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Volunteers will be walking on the sand with large tongs and buckets to collect refuse.
Waiver:
Required.
Weather:
If it rains, project may be rescheduled.

Ocean Front Street Clean-Up

Keep the Esplanade Beautiful

Redondo Beach, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help us pick up trash on the stretch of Esplanade Avenue in South Redondo Beach, between Miramar Park and Knob Hill.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Keep the Esplanade Beautiful
Location:
The Esplanade and Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Time:
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (0 left)
Host(s):
Tiffany Aguirre '91
Contact:
tlovin3@gmail.com
310-422-9467

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Dress appropriately for the current weather conditions.
Supplies:
Supplies will be provided, but please bring your own water.
Parking:
There will be ample metered parking.

Pack and Distribute Food

Seva Collective Food Pantry

Santa Ana, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Help with packaging or distributing of food at food pantry.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Seva Collective Food Pantry
Location:
1441 East Chestnut Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Time:
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
100 (89 left)
Host(s):
Simran Sahny '06
Contact:
simrankaur82@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 10 years of age or older.

Pack Humanitarian Aid Items for the Homeless

University Religious Center (URC) Courtyard and Room 108

Los Angeles, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Package humanitarian aid items for later distribution to the local homeless population. If possible, pre-pack personal care items and other supplies.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Khalsa Peace Corps' Share A Meal Program
Location:
835 West 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Time:
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (0 left)
Host(s):
Ravinder Singh '91
Contact:
ravisinghkhalsa@gmail.com
818-694-3583

Volunteer Instructions

Food & Beverage:
A light meal will be provided.
Weather:
If it rains, the project will be moved indoors to an adjacent meeting space (Room 108).

Pack Meals for Children

Feed My Starving Children

Eagan, MN

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Help pack meals for impoverished families around the world.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Feed My Starving Children
Location:
990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 136
Eagan, MN 55121
Time:
12:00 PM - 1:45 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
30 (14 left)
Host(s):
William Sou '98
Contact:
william.sou@alumni.usc.edu

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 5 years of age or older. Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Attire:
All jewelry is prohibited, except medical alert bracelets and necklaces; new earrings that lock in the back (please inform a staff member); facial piercings; gauges; and wedding bands (although you will need to wear a glove if the band has a stone). Closed-toe shoes are recommended, and they are required if you volunteer in the warehouse.

Participate in a Day of Play

First Global Technopark Carmona

Carmona, Cavite, Philippines

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Help create a space where people can meet and engage in play-based activities that promote fun, active play, cooperation, inclusion and lasting memories.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Best Buddies Philippines
Location:
Lot 1910 Governor's Drive
Carmona, Cavite 4116
Philippines
Time:
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
Capacity:
100 (94 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumi in Philippines
Contact:
karendchien@gmail.com
639199201465

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Open to all ages and abilities. The location is disabled friendly, with wheelchair access and elevators.
Attire:
Casual and comfortable clothes.
Parking:
Free.

Plant and Learn About Healthy Veggies

Families Forward Learning Center

Pasadena, CA

Youth Outreach

Description:
Promote healthy eating by teaching preschoolers how veggies grow. Activities include planting veggies, reading and providing books about vegetables, gardening and painting garden rocks.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Families Forward Learning Center
Location:
980 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
50 (0 left)
Host(s):
Cheryl Holcomb '81
Contact:
cherylholcomb1417@gmail.com
626-233-6857

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 13 years of age or older.

Shifts

Shift 1:
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Shift 2:
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
25 people/shift.

Play at Boys and Girls Club

Wilmington Boys & Girls Club

Wilmington, CA

Youth Outreach

Description:
Help with arts and crafts projects, read to younger children, make smoothies, play basketball, ping-pong and other sports.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor
Location:
1444 W Q St
Wilmington, CA 90744
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
50 (19 left)
Host(s):
Trojan League of South Bay
Contact:
jcajr98@aol.com
310-480-9898

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Attire:
Casual clothes.
Parking:
Free street parking.

Play Bingo with Seniors

Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility

Los Angeles, CA

Youth Outreach

Description:
Play bingo and chat with senior citizens.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility
Location:
325 South Boyle Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Time:
12:00 PM - 3:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Mary Tee' 91 and Nancy Rouguine
Contact:
mytee888@yahoo.com
818-625-6684

Volunteer Instructions

Supplies:
We need prizes for Bingo.

Policy Research and Access to Benefits for the Poor in India

Chennai Outreach

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Research policies that pertain to creating access to life-enhancing benefits for the impoverished. Skills in project management, policy research, India legal, web & social media, as well as knowledge of poverty alleviation, rural development and egovernance, are most appreciated.
Type:
Virtual
Organization:
Empower Tamizhagam NGO, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Location:
M-10, 19th Avenue, Ashok Nagar
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600083
India
Time:
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (+5:30) Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, New Delhi
Capacity:
30 (28 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in India
Contact:
usc@quantaco.com

Shifts

Can be ad hoc with a minimum of 4 hours of commitment. Some work will be done before the event, with release of essential docs on the day.

Prep, Pack, and Serve Lunches for People in Need

Joan Kroc Center (JKC) Kitchen

San Diego, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Shift #1 volunteers assist with meal preparation, such as chopping vegetables and packaging sack lunches, breakfast bags, and meals for the off-site resident facilities. Shift #2 volunteers will help plate and distribute meals from the serving station to clients.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Father Joe's Villages
Location:
1501 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Time:
10:20 AM - 3:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
12 (1 left)
Host(s):
Alison Lee '92
Contact:
alisonglee123@gmail.com
310-650-0077

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Shift #1 volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.
Attire:
Long pants, short or long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes.
Parking:
Free parking available on-site in underground garage on 16th Street, between Imperial and Commercial (closer to Commercial). Volunteers must print and display the parking pass provided when registering to use the garage.

Shifts

Shift #1:
10:20 AM - 12:30 PM Food packing volunteers:
Shift #2:
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Serving lunch at the JKC Kitchen
6 people/shift

Prepare Food for Distribution to Low-Income Seniors

OC Food Bank

Garden Grove, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Prepare boxes of food for distribution to low-income seniors in Orange, LA and Riverside counties.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
CAP OC Food Bank
Location:
11870 Monarch Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Time:
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
35 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Gould Alumni Association of Orange County
Fred Thiagarajah '99
Contact:
fred@rightchoicelaw.com
408-810-4000

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Attire:
Please wear comfortable clothing. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Volunteers may be asked to lift between 1 to 25 pounds.
Parking:
Please note that Saturdays are busy and parking in the OC Food Bank parking lot fills up quickly, but street parking is also available.

Prepare Food for Distribution to People in Need

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

San Diego, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Clean and package fresh produce for immediate distribution. Inspect, sort, box and label food donations.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Location:
9850 Distribution Avenue
San Diego, CA 92121
Time:
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (2 left)
Host(s):
USC Gould Alumni Association of San Diego
James Kramer '08
Contact:
james.kramer@procopio.com

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers between the ages of 11 and 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking:
There is limited parking in the Food Bank's lot; street parking is also available.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Prepare Meal Kits for Food-Insecure Youth

Oneonta

South Pasadena, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Pack meal kits for local school districts to distribute to food-insecure youth. This project also includes a brief story and discussion time for elementary school age kids.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Good SamariTots
Location:
1515 Garfield Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
150 (0 left)
Host(s):
Kelly Kwan '88
Contact:
kelly@goodsamaritots.org
925-818-8728

Prepare Meal Kits for Youth

MSBN Portland

Aloha, OR

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Pack meal kits for food-insecure youth! Local school districts will hand them out to students who rely on school-provided meals to ensure they have enough food during the weeklong spring break. This project is appropriate for kids ages 4 and older and will include a brief story and discussion time.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Good SamariKidz
Location:
18390 SW Aloha St,
Aloha, OR 97007
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
50 (19 left)
Host(s):
Amanda Choi '08
Contact:
choi.amanda@gmail.com

Prepare Meals for Pets in Need

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Animal Care

Description:
Prepare and package meals for pets in need and help in the center's Orphaned Objects Designer Resale thrift shop. Volunteers will get 30 mins of puppy time at the end of the project.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Location:
6461 El Apajo Road
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
15 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in San Diego
Erin O'Kane Allen '04
Contact:
erinokane@gmail.com
858-248-5252

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers between the ages of 14 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Attire:
Wear closed-toed shoes.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Volunteers need to be comfortable with lifting bags of dog/cat food (up to 50 lbs), bending, carrying, etc.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Professional Attire and Career Shop

Melodrama Boutique

Houston, TX

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Donate and help collect clothes appropriate for job interviews and daily office wear for college students and young job seekers.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Institute for Careers and Leadership Development
Location:
5306 Almeda Road
Houston, TX 77004
Time:
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
30 (22 left)
Host(s):
Ashley Davis '02
Contact:
ashleydavis@syrenmusicgroup.com

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Attire:
Please wear comfortable shoes.
Food & Beverage:
Water and small bites provided.
Parking:
Free and on-site parking available.
Supplies:
Please bring gloves and hangers.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.
Weather:
If it rains, project will still proceed. Our venue is also a boutique, so we will be able to collect clothing inside.

Shifts

Shift #1 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Set Up + Assistance for Gathering Donated Career Clothes
Shift #2 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM - Assistance for Gathering Donated Career Clothes, Clean Up/Breakdown
15 people/shift

Provide Basic Necessities to Migrants Living in Encampments

USC Mexico Office

Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX, Mexico

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Collect and sort donated goods (bottled water, breakfast items, clothing, shoes, medicines, hygiene products, etc.) for distribution to some of Mexico City's most vulnerable residents: migants living in encampments. Also, please bring items to donate, select your items here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EAEAC2DAAFEC61-47808090-necesidades
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Fundación Humano y Libre AC
Location:
Prado Sur 140, Lomas de Chapultepec
Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX 11000
Mexico
Time:
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-6:00) Mexico
Capacity:
100 (98 left)
Host(s):
USC Mexico Office
Contact:
angela@usc.edu
525521449168

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
All ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the donating, collecting and sorting of items. Volunteers distributing items must be 18 years of age or older.
Attire:
Wear comfortable clothing.
Food & Beverage:
Bring your own water bottle and snacks.
Parking:
Ample parking with parquímetro on Prado Sur and Sierra Madre at the meeting spot
Other:
If you can’t bring your donation in person to the event, an earlier date/time can be arranged.

Sakura Gardens Beautification

Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help senior living facility residents weed, trim plants and trees, and water the facility's garden.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility
Location:
325 South Boyle Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
15 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Martin Nguyen '18
Contact:
martin@centre-urban.com

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Wear casual clothing that you don't mind getting dirty.
Supplies:
Garden gloves and shears provided.
Parking:
Available on-site. Please tell the parking attendant you're here for the USC Alumni Day of SCervice project. Meet us at the entrance of the dining hall.

San Jose ELSEE Garden Beautification

Middlebrook Gardens

San Jose, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
The CNGF garden, located at 76 Race Street in midtown San Jose, has been building community for 21 years around regenerative land use practices, food access, and native ecology.
The garden itself contains the local California native plant communities of the Bay Area region and hosts many types of wildlife, including birds, pollinators, and insects.
Volunteers will help staff with a beautification project. Possible projects include: oak woodland propagation, spring weeding, making seed balls, etc.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
California Native Garden Foundation
Location:
76 Race Street
San Jose, CA 95126
Time:
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
30 (10 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in NorCal
USC APAA Bay Area
Contact:
kevinchuang@alumni.usc.edu
650-336-8901

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 5 years of age or older
Attire:
Wear closed-toed shoes and clothing you are comfortable getting dirty.
Food & Beverage:
Bring refillable water bottles.
Parking:
Parking lot and street parking
Supplies:
Tools will be provided and group will be assigned to staff.
Waiver:
Volunteer waivers will be provided onsite.
Weather:
If it rains, there will be an indoor project available.

Send Free Books to Incarcerated People

Books Through Bars

Philadelphia, PA

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Assist in reading letters from local prisons, choosing books from the site's library based on the requests, and packing the books to be mailed to the prisons.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Books Through Bars - Philadelphia
Location:
4722 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Time:
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (-5:00) Eastern
Capacity:
20 (12 left)
Host(s):
Jennifer Malins '07
Contact:
jennifer1984smith@gmail.com
818-321-4113

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Attire:
All participants will need to wear a face mask while working in close areas.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Sort and Assemble Bags of Produce

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Los Angeles, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Help sort and assemble bags of produce for individuals and families in need.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Location:
1701 East 41st Place
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
15 (0 left)
Host(s):
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Salerni Collegium Alumni Association
Contact:
valerie.reyna@med.usc.edu
626-506-1304

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
Attire:
Must wear closed-toe shoes (no flip flops, sandals or any shoes exposing your feet). Comfortable clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes is recommended. Keck or USC attire is encouraged.
Parking:
Parking is available, but it is limited. No early exit.
Waiver:
All volunteers will accept terms and conditions when they register for the event online. No physical copies of waivers are needed. A separate link to the waiver will be provided to all registrants prior to the event.

Sort and Organize Donated Clothes

Working Wardrobes Donation Center

Irvine, CA

Other

Description:
Sort and organize donated business wear for job seekers overcoming challenges to find gainful employment.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Working Wardrobes
Location:
17392 Daimler Street
Irvine, CA 92626
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Marshall Alumni Association of Orange County
Contact:
vgwaiss@gmail.com
949-500-7172

Sort and Pack Bags of Food

Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

Concord, CA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Check food for quality, sort by category, and box or bag for distribution in the warehouse sorting areas.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
Location:
4010 Nelson Avenue
Concord, CA 94520
Time:
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
40 (0 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in East Bay
Rick Quintana ‘87
Stacey Weinberger ‘80
Contact:
requintana@yahoo.com
925-324-6712

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers aged 16 and older may participate in any volunteer shift. Children between the ages of 11 and 15 are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Attire:
Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear comfortable clothing (long pants are recommended but not required). Suggest dressing in layers, since the warehouse does not have heat or A/C.
Physical Ability:
This position requires standing, and some volunteers may need to lift boxes weighing up to 35 lbs.

Shifts

Shift 1:
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Shift 2:
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
20 people/shift.

Sort and Pack Food and Household Items

San Antonio Food Bank

San Antonio, TX

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Sort and/or pack produce, nonperishable foods and household items for distribution.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
San Antonio Food Bank
Location:
5200 Historic Old Highway 90
San Antonio, TX 78227
Time:
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
35 (24 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in San Antonio
Jennifer White '04
Contact:
jennifer.white@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Closed-toe shoes required.
Age:
All ages are welcome, but each volunteer under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Waiver:
All volunteers must also register with the San Antonio Food Bank and complete their waiver 72 hours before the start of the shift.

Sort and Pack Food Boxes for People in Need

Capital Area Food Bank

Washington, DC

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Help fight food insecurity by sorting food donations and packing emergency and senior food boxes.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Capital Area Food Bank
Location:
4900 Puerto Rico Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Time:
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
Capacity:
20 (5 left)
Host(s):
USC Gould Alumni Association of DC
AJ Merton '11
Contact:
714-815-3687

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied and actively supervised by an adult.
Attire:
Wear closed-toed shoes (for safety reasons, open-toed shoes and sandals are prohibited in our distribution centers). Wear comfortable clothing you don't mind getting a little dirty. Anything that dangles could be a safety risk, so please plan to keep larger earrings, necklaces or similar items at home or stored in a locker.
Parking:
On-site parking is available.
Waiver:
Required.

Sort and Pack Rescued Product

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Atlanta, GA

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Assist with a variety of tasks, including sorting and packing recently donated food, repackaging produce or grains for families, or boxing non-perishable items for Atlanta-area seniors.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB)
Location:
3400 North Desert Drive
Atlanta, GA 30344
Time:
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (-5:00) Eastern
Capacity:
25 (4 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in Atlanta
Jim Summers '74
Contact:
jpsummers@comcast.net 770-490-6918

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older.
Attire:
Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes are required, with sneakers or work boots recommended. Flip flops, sandals or heeled shoes are not allowed. Please wear comfortable clothing which you do not mind getting a bit rumpled. Some volunteers will be sorting refrigerated product. Please wear long pants and bring a sweatshirt or light jacket with you. In the event you are working elsewhere, we do have lockers for your outerwear.
Waiver:
ACFB has its own volunteer registration system; pre-registration is preferred. Acceptance of ACFB waiver is included at time of registration (either online or in person).

Sort and Repack Food Boxes for the Homeless

Oregon Food Bank Warehouse

Portland, OR

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Help sort and repack food boxes for the homeless.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
The Oregon Food Bank
Location:
7900 NE 23rd Drive
Portland, OR 97211
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (16 left)
Host(s):
Kathleen Karl '81
Samuel Cheek
Contact:
kathleenp.allenhoward@gmail.com
503-267-8842

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 10 years of age or older.
Attire:
Dress in layers.
Food and Beverage:
Bring a water bottle.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

South Santa Monica Beach Clean-Up

Santa Monica Beach Tower 26

Santa Monica, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Pick up litter and trash from the beach. All family members welcome!
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Venice Heal the Bay Club
Location:
2606 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
150(24 left)
Host(s):
Trojan Entertainment Network
USC School of Cinematic Arts
Alumni Real Estate Network
Marshall Alumni - LA Region
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Contact:
ten@alumni.usc.edu
323-428-2264

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
All ages welcome!
Parking:
There is a paid parking lot at 2606 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90405.
Supplies:
Trash bags, gloves and grabbers provided. You may also bring your own.

Spend Time with Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Fundación abrazo Fraterno

Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

Healthcare | Hospital

Description:
Serve breakfast, spend time and give presents to children with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Fundación Abrazo Fraterno
Location:
Maestro Palomo 480, Puente Alto
Santiago, Región Metropolitana 000-000
Chile
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-3:00) Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Georgetown
Capacity:
30 (30 left)
Host(s):
USC Club in Chile
Contact:
mlsepulv.ing@gmail.com
56-94-216-0428

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Beautification

St. John's Epsicopal Cathedral

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Paint, do light cleaning, organizing and possibly a little gardening to spruce up St. John's.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
St. John's Epsicopal Cathedral
Location:
514 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
25 (8 left)
Host(s):
Heather Kelly '97
Rev. Mel Soriano
Contact:
socaltrojan@me.com

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty or giving new color to in the form of paint.
Food and Beverage:
Beverages and snacks will be provided.
Parking:
The parking lot is to the left of the cathedral on Flower Street. Parking is free.

Take Care of Shelter Dogs

Laws for Paws

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Animal Care

Description:
Walk shelter dogs and assist with washing and brushing them. Help fill food bins and clean kennels. Attend a short talk to learn more about the organization, its mission, and how to get further involved with animal rescue and rehabilitation in Vietnam.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Laws for Paws
Location:
Bùi Đình Tuý, Thảo Điền, Quận 2
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh 700000
Vietnam
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (+7:00) Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi
Capacity:
10 (2 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Club of Vietnam
Robert Creighton '16
Contact:
r.l.creighton@gmail.com

Tamarack State Beach Beach Clean-Up

Tamarack State Beach

Carlsbad, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Pick up litter and trash to keep our beach and coastline clean.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Surfrider San Diego
Location:
3906 Carlsbad Boulevard
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
50 (19 left)
Host(s):
Trojan League of Association of San Diego
Contact:
pbnordsy@aol.com

Volunteer Instructions

Food & Beverage:
Please bring your own water.
Parking:
Park and we will meet on the sand by lifeguard tower 34.
Supplies:
All clean-up supplies will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves, trash grabbers and extra trash bags.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.

Teen Heart Screenings and CPR

Animo Ralph Bunche Charter High School

Los Angeles, CA

Healthcare | Hospital

Description:
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the #1 killer of high school student athletes in the U.S. Heartbeat of Champions Foundation (HOCF) teaches teens how to perform CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator). Teens are screened by family history and receive an EKG. SCA screenings can identify teens at risk. The benefit to the community is the more people who are educated to perform CPR, the greater the chance those affected will survive.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Animo Ralph Bunche Charter School (ARB)
Location:
1655 East 27th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Time:
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (4 left)
Host(s):
Ana Mendez '12
Jessica Lazaro-Morales '17 '22
Contact:
ana.mendez@greendot.org
213-514-4352

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Attire:
Dress comfortably (casual pants, shorts, etc.). No sandals please!
Food & Beverage:
Refillable water station available. Please bring any reusable bottle and snacks.
Parking:
Parking is available on street or in staff parking lot.

Shifts

Shift #1 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Set Up, Screening Support
Shift #2 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM- Screening Support, Clean Up
10 people/shift

Urban Rooftop Garden Beautification

Le Jardin Partagé du 5ème arrondissement

Paris, France

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help prepare this urban garden's collective plots for the springtime planting later this month.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Les Jardiniers de 5ème
Location:
17 rue Saint Médard
Paris 75005
France
Time:
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (-12:00) International Date Line
Capacity:
18 (12 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Club of Paris
Contact:
leslienelsoncressy@gmail.com
33660113403

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Please wear outdoor clothing that can get dirty. Supplies

VALOR Monument Clean-Up

Lake Street Park

Los Angeles, CA

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help clean and polish the VALOR Monument, which honors Filipino WWII veterans. Volunteers will also clean and beautify the nearby park areas.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
SIPA
Location:
227 North Lake Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Time:
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
20 (20 left)
Host(s):
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Contact:
kimmy@sipacares.org

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Closed-toed shoes and clothes that supports physical work is encouraged (t-shirt, sweats, jeans, leggings, etc.).
Parking:
Only street parking is available.
Supplies:
All cleaning supplies and park clean-up supplies will be provided.
Weather:
In the event of heavy rain, the event will need to be rescheduled.

Volunteer to Support Alzheimer’s Research

Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute

San Diego, CA

Healthcare | Hospital

Description:
Help out at a community event in support of the AlzMatch Study, which tests whether a single blood test can help speed clinical trial enrollment by identifying people most likely to have amyloid in the brain.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute & Sharp Mesa Vista
Location:
9860 Mesa Rim Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Time:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
90 (57 left)
Host(s):
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Shelley Moore '90
Contact:
shelleym@usc.edu
858-616-7557

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 18 years of age or older. Anyone 16-18 years may volunteer if waiver signed in advance by guardian/parent. Please contact us if you need to bring minor children.
Attire:
Wear layers and comfortable shoes. Bring sunscreen and hat in case you are outside.
Parking:
Reserved for volunteers.

Shifts

Shift 1:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Full shift
Shift 2:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Half shift
Shift 3:
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Half shift
30 people/shift.
Please select a time that suits you best; there's no requirement to remain for the entire duration.

Waimanalo Bay Beach Clean-Up

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park

Waimanalo, HI

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Pick up plastics, paper, metals and other debris from the beach.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
Sustainable Coastline
Location:
41-043 Aloiloi Street
Waimanalo, HI 96795
Time:
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-10:00) Hawaii
Capacity:
20 (0 left)
Host(s):
Rebecca Branham '13
USC Asia Pacific Alumni Hawaii Chapter
Contact:
rbranham@blgroupinc.com
808-397-8275

Volunteer Instructions

Supplies:
Bring water, plastic bags, tools for picking up litter and trash, gloves (if needed) and sunblock lotion.

Walk and Distribute Necessities

ImpactHK

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Hunger | Homelessness

Description:
Join us for a two-hour Kindness Walk through the Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po districts to distribute food and necessities to the homeless.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
ImpactHK
Location:
5A, Splendid Centre, 100 Larch StreetTai Kok Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Time:
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
Capacity:
60 (55 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni Club of Hong Kong
Contact:
emily.chan@alumni.usc.edu.hk
scervice@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Must be 6 years of age or older. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Walking Path Litter Removal

Rogue Brewer's on the Bay

Newport, OR

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Remove litter from a stretch of walking path in south Newport.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
City of Newport
Location:
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR 97365
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
30 (28 left)
Host(s):
Helen Beaman '13
Contact:
beamanh@careoregon.org

White Rock Lake Clean-Up

White Rock Lake

Dallas, TX

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Help collect litter throughout White Rock Lake Park and along the shoreline.
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Organization:
For the Love of the Lake
Location:
521 East Lawther Drive
Dallas, TX 75218
Time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
50 (33 left)
Host(s):
USC Alumni in Dallas
Contact:
davidfine@alumni.usc.edu
310-567-1747

Volunteer Instructions

Age:
Volunteers under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult.
Attire:
Wear closed-toe shoes to prevent cuts and scratches.
Physical Ability/Activity:
Walking and picking up garbage with a garbage grabber.
Supplies:
Garbage grabber, gloves, and trash bags will be provided.
Waiver:
Sign on-site.
Weather:
This event will happen rain or shine. We're Texans, we can handle a little rain.

Williamson Creek West Greenbelt Cleanup

Williamson Creek West Greenbelt

Austin, TX

Beautification | Gardening

Description:
Please join the USC Alumni in Austin for our annual Day of SCervice park clean up. This year we will be cleaning up Williamson Creek West Greenbelt in south Austin​​​​​​​ (MEETING BEHIND HOBBY LOBBY).
Type:
In-Person Outdoor
Location:
6600 S Mopac Expressway South
Austin, TX 78749
Time:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-6:00) Central
Capacity:
50 (45 left)
Host(s):
Michael Montoya '04'08
Contact:
rmichaelmontoya@gmail.com
2138203366

Volunteer Instructions

Attire:
Please wear closed toe shoes

Write Welcome Notes to Incoming USC Pharmacy Students

USC School of Pharmacy

Los Angeles, CA

Mentorship | Education

Description:
Help welcome new students to the USC Mann School of Pharmacy with words of congratulations, encouragement and career advice.
Type:
In-Person Indoor
Organization:
Pharmacy Graduate Alliance
Location:
1985 Zonal Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Time:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
Capacity:
40 (25 left)
Host(s):
Jessica Lin '13
USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Contact:
linjsusc@gmail.com

Volunteer Instructions

Supplies:
Provided on-site.
Sorry, there are no matching projects.

Getting Started

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can become a host?

All degreed alumni who agree to uphold Trojan Family values and the university’s code of conduct are eligible to host a project.

I want to host a project but am not sure how to start?

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to our office. You can also begin contacting your local community groups for ideas and assistance, or to organizations like these that have global volunteer opportunities:

Volunteer LA
Volunteer Match
Just Serve
All for Good
Habitat for Humanity
AARP Create the Good
Feeding America
American Red Cross

Where can I find virtual volunteer project opportunities?

Many organizations offer virtual volunteer opportunities for groups or individuals. A few are listed below:

Meals on Wheels
United Way
Translators Without Borders
Catch A Fire
UN Volunteers
DoSomething.org
Zooniverse
Color A Smile
Volunteer Match
Be My Eyes
Library of Congress
National Park Services
Smithsonian
Warm-Up America

What are examples of past projects?

Animal Care: Pasadena Humane Society
Art & Crafts: “Fight On” Beads
Beautification and Gardening: Community Clean-Up*
Construction: Battleship IOWA Museum Los Angeles
Healthcare and Hospital: Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Hunger and Homelessness: Regional Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children
Mentorship and Education: Young Business Alliance*
Outreach to Older Adults: Bingo at Sakura Gardens
Youth Outreach: Fannie C. Harris Youth Center*
Other: Clothing Drives

What are my key responsibilities as a host?

Below is a short checklist of tasks before, during and after the project to ensure you have an enjoyable, meaningful and stress-free experience.

Before the Project:

  • Attend a one-hour mandatory Day of SCervice Host Informational Session.
  • Submit all project details to the USC Alumni Association (USCAA) regional team by the deadline, using the Project Submission Form.
  • Notify the USCAA if you need a co-host for support and back-up (recommended).
  • Serve as the contact person for the USCAA, the organization and the participants.
  • Email participants with all event details prior to the Day of SCervice.
  • Promote events on regional Facebook group pages and within the FightOnline Community for your region (marketing assets will be provided as needed).
  • Join the FightOnline Alumni Volunteer Leaders Community to interact with other alumni volunteers and to share best practices and tips.

During the Project:

  • Be present at the event.
  • Arrive early—if needed, set up the site with decor and signage.
  • Greet, sign in guests and distribute the Alumni Day of SCervice commemorative gift to participants.
  • Capture photos/videos and share on social media, tagging @usclaumni and using #uscalumni100 #fighton #usctrojans or other popular USC hashtags. Photo tips:
    • Capture faces in good lighting.
    • Get lively group shots.
    • Show off multi-generational families.

After the Project (within 48 hours):

  • Share sign-in list with the USCAA.
  • Share photos, videos or other content with the USCAA.
  • Share feedback and comments.

How do I publicize my Day of SCervice project to USC alumni in my area?

Here are a few ways to promote your project to local Trojans:

  • Post project details on Facebook on your area’s designated USCAA Regional Alumni Groups.
  • Post project details in the designated FightOnline Community for your region.
  • Promote the project in your personal/local network (email, text, post on LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.).
  • Co-promote with the organization.

USCAA will:

  • List projects on the USCAA Event Calendar with regional registration links.
  • Email all alumni in your area (for whom we have email addresses).
  • Provide marketing collateral, assets and social media graphics.

What other resources does the USCAA provide for Day of SCervice hosts?

USCAA will:

  • Provide host training and a detailed timeline.
  • Provide a USC Host Box which includes name tags, check in list, markers, signage and the Alumni Day of SCervice commemorative gift.
  • Provide an e-registration list 5 days prior to the Day of SCervice.

What is our cancellation/illness policy?

Please notify USCAA about cancellations/illnesses as soon as possible and when possible no less than 48 hours prior to the Alumni Day of SCervice so that we can notify participants or, if possible, designate another alumni host.

Please note: Your participant capacity must be based on the venue or the organization’s needs. For any and all questions, please email Lei Wat.

Fight On!