On Saturday, March 22, 2025, during our annual USC Alumni Day of SCervice, Trojans will come together to make a difference in their local communities by participating in various community service projects around the world.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
USC Alumni Day of SCervice
California - Central
2Clean Up Historic China Alley
Hanford China Alley- Description:
- In 2011, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named China Alley as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.Help revitalize this endangered historical site by sweeping sidewalks, painting, removing debris and refreshing public spaces to preserve the Alley’s cultural significances.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- China Alley Preservation Society
- Location:
- #1 China Alley
Hanford, CA 93232 - Time:
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 24
- Host(s):
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Stephen Takeda '80 - Contact:
- steve.takeda@gmail.com
714-812-1198 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Casual work attire
- Food & Beverage:
- Bring own bottle water
- Parking:
- Free parking lot next to China Alley
- Weather:
- If raining, will work inside.
Volunteer Instructions
River Cleanup
Dry Creek Regional Park- Description:
- Pick up trash, microplastics and other foreign debris along the Dry Creek River Trail.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Norcal Veterans Peer Support Network
- Location:
- 2001 Edgebrook Drive
Modesto, CA 95355 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Joel Montes '16
NorCal Veterans Peer Support Network - Contact:
- montes.joel@gmail.com
254-702-9264 - Attire:
- Please wear comfortable outdoor clothing.
- Food & Beverage:
- Bottled water and energy bars may be available.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- We will be walking along a river bed picking up trash. Access to the river from the parks trails is limited.
- Supplies:
- Bring your own supplies
- Waiver:
- You may need to sign a liability waiver for this event.
Volunteer Instructions
California - Northern
7Sort and Pack Bags of Food
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano- 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 and Solano
- Location:
- 4010 Nelson Avenue
Concord, CA 94520 - Time:
- 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 40
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in East Bay
Rick Quintana ‘87 - Contact:
- requintana@yahoo.com
925-324-6712 - Age:
- 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.
- Shift 1:
- 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Shift 2:
- 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- 20 people/shift. Volunteers can participate in both shifts (please register for both shifts).
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Assemble Art Materials for Classroom Lessons
Art in Action (Warehouse)- Description:
- Prepare art materials to be distributed for classroom lessons. Tasks include counting art materials, measuring yarn and raffia, cutting sponge to assemble and organizing art supplies.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Art in Action
- Location:
- 1757 E. Bayshore Road, Unit 16
Redwood City, CA 94063 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 12
- Host(s):
- Asmiti Sura '13
Manasi Barath - Contact:
- uscdayofscervice@gmail.com
- Age:
- Must be 18 years old or older.
- Attire:
- Please wear closed-toe shoes.
- Waiver:
- Volunteer waivers required on-site.
Volunteer Instructions
Volunteer at Sacramento Childern’s Home
Sacramento Children's Home- Description:
- We are continuing our Trojan tradition of volunteering with the Sacramento Children's Home. They welcome as many volunteers as possible and understand people will have different skills. Whether you can join us for 1 hour or 3 hours, all are welcome. We look forward to bringing Trojans together in service to our community. Specific volunteer activites coming soon.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Sacramento Children's Home
- Location:
- 2750 Sutterville Road
Sacramento, CA 95820 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- USC State Capital Center in Sacramento
- Contact:
- jm65956@usc.edu
916-588-6380 - Age:
- All ages welcome.
- Attire:
- Please dress warmly and wear closed toed shoes.
- Food & Beverage:
- Coffee & water will be provided. After volunteering, we usually grab lunch together.
- Parking:
- Please drive around the right side of the building and park in any unreserved spot.
- Supplies:
- You can bring outdoor work gloves if you'd like.
- Waiver:
- All volunteers will be asked to sign a waiver.
- Other:
- Please arrive promptly, check in with Jacque or Tera, make a name badge, and sign the volunteer waiver.
Volunteer Instructions
Exploratorium Exhibits Beautification
Exploratorium- Description:
- Help clean the Exploratorium exhibits and get them ready for thousands of visitors. After our project ends, enjoy free access to the museum until it closes.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- The Exploratorium San Francisco
- Location:
- Pier 15 Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111 - Time:
- 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 25
- Host(s):
- USC Marshall Alumni Association Bay Area
- Contact:
- laurenyoung@alumni.usc.edu
7143941551 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Family members are welcome to purchase admission and join the group after 12
- Attire:
- Bring your best Trojan gear and dress comfortably.
- Other:
- If the project is sold out, please email the project host to be added to the waiting list.
Volunteer Instructions
Plant Bamboo for Pandas
San Francisco Zoo- Description:
- Help clear brush and plant bamboo to feed the zoo's star attraction pandas and model sustainability. After our volunteer shift is completed, you may enjoy complimentary access to the Zoo.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- San Francisco Zoo
- Location:
- Sloat Blvd & Upper Great Highway
San Francisco, CA 94132 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 125
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni of San Francisco
USC APAA Bay Area - Contact:
- pramisetti@gmail.com
haroldkwan@gmail.com
lteoh.usc@gmail.com - Age:
- Volunteers must be 11 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Dress in layers and outdoor yard style attire, including closed-toes sturdy shoes or workboots.
- Food & Beverage:
- Bring your own water bottle and snacks.
- Parking:
- Parking will be available for volunteers in the overflow lot (Map to be provided before event).
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Activities are related to, but not limited to clearing brush and planting bamboo shoots either indoors or outdoors. You must be able to do manual yard work which may include digging, lifting, operating a wheelbarrow, etc.
- Supplies:
- SF Zoo will provide PPE, gloves, equipment and tools.
- Weather:
- Backup plan for weather
- Other:
- Volunteers do not have to purchase a zoo ticket for this project.
Volunteer Instructions
Create Mental Health & Wellness Cards for First Responders & Wildfire Survivors
San Pablo Library- Description:
- Create and decorate uplifting, handwritten cards, filled with messages of encouragement and gratitude, for firefighters, medical personnel and families recovering from the devastating wildfires.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Westchester YMCA
- Location:
- 13751 San Pablo Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806 - Time:
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 10
- Host(s):
- Dr. Marya Wright, LCSW '24
- Contact:
- drwright@alumni.usc.edu
- Supplies:
- Pleas bring extra supplies to share! Markers, colored pencils, stickers, blank notecards and decorative paper will make these wellness cards even more special.
Volunteer Instructions
Filoli Horticulture Service Learning Project
Filoli- Description:
- Learn horticulture and gardening tips while cleaning and weeding Filoli's Woodland Garden, getting the greenhouse ready for spring and prepping Orchid House for an interior paint job. You'll also receive free admission to Filoli for the day.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Filoli
- Location:
- 86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- Andrea Pappajohn
Sam Bautista - Contact:
- apappajohn888@gmail.com
650-888-8009
California - Southern : Campus - UPC or HSC
4Assemble Birthday Boxes for Patients
Keck Hospital of USC- Description:
- Help create birthday presents for patients who are admitted into our care and spend their birthday in the hospital.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Keck Medical Center of USC
- Location:
- 1450 San Pablo Street - Third Floor Multi-Purpose Room
Los Angeles, CA 90033 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Keck Medical Center of USC - Patient and Family Experience
Half Century Trojans - Contact:
- lapa@usc.edu
KaylaM.Nagel@med.usc.edu
323-394-4477 - Attire:
- Comfortable clothing and shoes. Seating will be available.
- Food & Beverage:
- Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Assemble Book Kits
JEP House- Description:
- Spend the morning assembling book kits and writing encouraging cards for the many elementary students who participate in JEP's programming.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Joint Educational Project (JEP) House
- Location:
- 801 W 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 40
- Host(s):
- USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
- Contact:
- chapmanm@usc.edu
- Age:
- Volunteers of all ages and physical abilities are welcome!
Volunteer Instructions
Build Relief Boxes for Those Impacted by LA Fires
USC Park Campus- Description:
- Build and deliver relief boxes for people impacted by the LA wildfires. Also, please bring items to donate as well; a donation list will be shared prior to the event.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Persevering Minds
- Location:
- 3607 Trousdale Parkway - TCC 302
Los Angeles, CA 90089 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 60
- Host(s):
- USC Black Alumni Association
- Contact:
- aria.aaron@gmail.com
- Other:
- Please bring or purchase items from this wishlist for the project. /www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1T0FINIEIGNTR__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!tiXyfWHVCImMgYyBlD_mPIdeAwao2z8Diup3qGTn6qUzhQ2NrTJdfHJY-9DDeMWQv7f-Iy_U3rUpkl9Sn1UobKlgNh4BjQ$
Volunteer Instructions
Make Trojan “Fight On” Necklaces
The Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower- Description:
- Show your arts and crafts skills by making beaded necklaces for women fighting life battles.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- USC Hospitals
- Location:
- 1450 Biggy Street, Rooms LG 503-504
Los Angeles, CA 90033 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 65
- Host(s):
- Town and Gown of USC
- Contact:
- carolmollett@aol.com 818-321-3413
- Age:
- Volunteers must be 5 years of age or older
- Parking:
- Please park at the Biggy Lot at 1334 Biggy Street, LA 90033
Volunteer Instructions
California - Southern : Greater Los Angeles
27Create Cards & Donate Items for Families Impacted by the Eaton Fire
Mark Keppel High School - cafeteria- Description:
- Create hand-crafted cards filled with encouraging messages and simple, heartwarming drawings for families impacted by the Eaton Fire. You can also make inspiring posters for display in school lobbies, wellness centers and classrooms. If possible, please bring toiletries, non-perishable food and pet food for these families.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Alhambra Unified & Pasadena Unified School Districts
- Location:
- 501 East Hellman Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91801 - Time:
- 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 60
- Host(s):
- Sharon Woo '79
Rennie Chi
Yuna Hwang
MKHS Alliance - Contact:
- sharonwoo@alumni.usc.edu
- Parking:
- Free parking in the school's parking lots. The nearest lot to the cafeteria is just north of the Hellman/Almansor intersection. The entrance is on Almansor. The cafeteria is at the west end of the school.
- Supplies:
- Paper for the cards, 13" x19" poster paper and a limited number of crayons & color pencils will be provided. Please bring any size poster paper and/or drawing and decorating supplies if you can.
- Shift 1:
- 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- Shift 2:
- 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM
- 30 people/shift. Volunteers can participate in both shifts (please register for both shifts).
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Design and Create Health-Themed Posters for Schools
Mark Keppel High School - cafeteria- Description:
- Help create posters promoting healthy activities and eating habits to children. We will provide example poster designs for reference, though you're free to create your own designs, using provided research materials and resources.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Alhambra Unified & Garvey School District
- Location:
- 501 East Hellman Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91801 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- Reane Co & Sharon Woo '79
MKHS Alliance - Contact:
- sharonwoo@alumni.usc.edu
- Parking:
- Free parking is available in the school's parking lots. The nearest lot to the cafeteria is just north of the Hellman/Almansor intersection. The entrance is on Almansor. The cafeteria is at the west end of the school.
- Supplies:
- 13""x19"" poster paper & limited numbers of crayons & color pencils will be available for volunteers to use. Please bring any size poster paper &/or drawing & decorating supplies if you can.
Volunteer Instructions
Donate and Organize Essentials for Eaton Fire Victims
Mark Keppel High School - Cafeteria- Description:
- Donate specific items and/or assist with on-site tasks. Specific items in need include soup, pasta, peanut butter, canned tuna/chicken, beef stew, chili, rice, shelf-stable juices, soap, shampoo, deodorant and toothbrushes. Fresh produce and dairy are also appreciated. On-site tasks include recording donors' info (names, graduation years/schools); sorting donations (bagging & carrying); checking expiration dates; managing inventory on a spreadsheet; and tracking contributions on a spreadsheet. Transporting donations to Pasadena is a plus.
Donations by the community can be dropped off without registration, but those helping with on-site tasks must register. - Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Friends in Deed
- Location:
- 501 East Hellman Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91801 - Time:
- 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 60
- Host(s):
- Sharon Woo '79
Samantha Wong
Jacob Chow
MKHS Alliance - Contact:
- sharonwoo@alumni.usc.edu
- Attire:
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for your safety. USC gear is not required but much appreciated!
- Parking:
- Free parking in the school's parking lots. The nearest lot to the cafeteria is just north of the Hellman/Almansor intersection. The entrance is on Almansor. The cafeteria is at the west end of the school.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Must be able to carry items, including pet supplies, that can weigh up to 30-40 lbs. We're also looking for volunteers to drive and transport donations to Friends in Deed.
- Shift 1:
- 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- Shift 2:
- 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM
- 30 people/shift. Volunteers can participate in both shifts (please register for both shifts).
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Make Craft Items for Military Personnel
Mark Keppel High School- Description:
- Make paracord lanyards, color drawings, write letters and knit or crochet items for care packages sent to military personnel.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Operation Gratitude
- Location:
- 501 East Hellman Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91801 - Time:
- 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 70
- Host(s):
- Sharon Woo '79
Christine Takatani-Chung - Contact:
- sharonwoo@alumni.usc.edu
- Age:
- Volunteers of all ages are welcome.
- Food & Beverage:
- Bring your own snacks & beverages.
- Parking:
- Free parking in the school's parking lots. The closest one to the cafeteria is near the corner of Hellman & Almansor. The entrance is just north of this intersection on Almansor.
- Supplies:
- We are making items listed on Operation Gratitude's website (detailed list will be provided).
Volunteer Instructions
Assemble Fresh Produce and Food Boxes
Labor Community Services Warehouse- Description:
- Assemble fresh produce and food boxes for unemployed union members and their families.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Labor Community Services
- Location:
- 5600 Rickenbacker Road, Building 1
Bell, CA 90201 - Time:
- 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 17
- Host(s):
- Ana Priscila Garcia '22
Labor Community Services
Building Skills Partnership - Contact:
- agarcia@buildingskills.org 323-391-3179
- Food & Beverage:
- Lunch will be provided for volunteers.
- Parking:
- Ample parking is available.
Volunteer Instructions
Build Food Packages for Food Insecure Angelenos
LA Regional Food Bank- Description:
- Assemble non-perishable food packages for needy families, individuals, seniors and children in Los Angeles County.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Location:
- 2300 Pellissier Place
City of Industry, CA 90601 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- USC Gould Alumni Association
- Contact:
- cromero@law.usc.edu
- Attire:
- Closed-toe shoes are required.
Volunteer Instructions
Play with Children at the Richstone Family Center
Richstone Family Center- Description:
- Do arts & crafts and play outdoor sports with the children at Richstone Family Center. A few USC athletes may join us for what promises to be a fun day.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Richstone Family center
- Location:
- 13634 Cordray Avenue
Hawthorne, CA 90250 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- Trojan League of South Bay
- Contact:
- jcajr98@aol.com
310-480-9898 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Wear casual clothes for both inside and outside activities.
Volunteer Instructions
Hermosa Valley Greenbelt Restoration
Hermosa Green Belt on Valley Drive- Description:
- Learn about the importance of native plants like the California Costal Sage Scrub and the Seacliff buckwheat. Help restore and develop South Bay connecting corridors for populations of monarch and El Segundo blue butterflies and other native birds that overwinter on the greenbelt year round. You will be weeding, cultivating and planting this beautiful corridor.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- South Bay Parkland Conservancy
- Location:
- at 1st Street
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 60
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in South Bay
Paulette Rhaney '71 - Contact:
- p.rhaney@verizon.net
310-613-7221 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 8 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- The project is an outdoor event and may be subject to light rain. Dress appropriately, warmly and in layers, and wear closed-toe shoes.
- Parking:
- Free street parking is available on perpendicular side streets, but please observe parking signs. Free public parking lots are located along Valley Drive at South Park (4th Street), and at 6th Street.
- Supplies:
- Gloves and tools are provided.
- Weather:
- Event may be canceled in the event of heavy rain, but light rain will not deter us.
- Other:
- Also sign up at the South Bay Parkland Conservancy Website. Scroll to the calendar, select March 22.
- Shift 1:
- (30 ppl) Set-up - 9:30 am
- Shift 2:
- (30 ppl) Set-up 11:30 am
- Come 30 min. before your shift time (Set-up time) so we may greet you and provide instructions.
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Battleship Beautification
USS Iowa- Description:
- Help clean this historic battleship. As an added bonus, you might get a chance to see sections of the USS Iowa that are not normally accessible to visitors.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- USS Iowa
- Location:
- 250 South Harbor Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90731 - Time:
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- USC Marshall Alumni Association
USC Alumni Veterans Network - Contact:
- 626-372-5314
- Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Appropriate clothing and close-toed shoes are required.
- Parking:
- Provided on site. Parking for the event is free on the public street but if volunteers decide to park in the parking lot, it will be two dollars per hour
- Physical Ability/Activity:
- Volunteers must be able to clean areas containing hard surfaces.
- Supplies:
- Cleaning supplies will be provided by the museum staff.
- Waiver:
- Waivers will be provided by the museum staff.
Volunteer Instructions
CSU Expo Mini Urban Farm Beautification
CSU/Expo Mini Urban Farm- Description:
- Help revitalize the CSU/EXPO Urban Mini Farm, a vibrant community space, by harvesting plants and seeds, moving compost and mulch, digging up weeds and grasses, cutting back overgrown plants, and clearing trash.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Community Services Unlimited Inc.
- Location:
- 3990 Bill Robertson Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90037 - Time:
- 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 15
- Host(s):
- Community Services Unlimited Inc.
Good Neighbors Campaign - Contact:
- cris@csuinc.org
323-422-4886 - Age:
- Children 16 years old and younger must be accompanied by adults who are responsible for and will supervise them at ALL times.
- Physical Ability/Activity:
- Volunteering may include all manner of farming related activities, so what you do will depends on the needs of the farm.
- Attire:
- Even in cooler weather the EXPO Farm can get quite warm. Please dress in light colored, layered clothing and comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. It’s also a good idea to have a sun hat, especially in the spring and summer and some sunblock.
- Parking:
- There is some limited parking in an area between the farm and Martin Luther King Blvd., and street parking in the surrounding area. We encourage folks to walk, bike or get public transport to the farm.
- Other:
- Please note there is no restroom at the farm itself. There are restrooms at the senior center located next door and if that is closed, at the swim stadium a little further along Bill Robertson Lane.
Volunteer Instructions
El Sereno Middle School Band Room Cleanup and Painting
El Sereno Middle School- Description:
- Clean and organize instrument racks, equipment and storage areas and paint the band room.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- El Sereno Middle School/LAUSD All-District Marching Band
- Location:
- 2839 N Eastern Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90032 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 25
- Host(s):
- USC Trojan Marching Band Alumni Association
- Contact:
- 213-706-8462
- Attire:
- Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty while cleaning and painting.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Must be able to paint or clean areas as needed.
Volunteer Instructions
Habitat for Humanity El Sereno Build Day
El Sereno- Description:
- Join us to rehabilitate several El Sereno homes, which will be sold to first-time homebuyers at a nonprofit rate.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
- Location:
- 3826 Sheffield Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90032 - Time:
- 7:45 AM - 3:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Young Alumni Council
USC Viterbi School of Engineering - Contact:
- lelitam23@gmail.com
josephchen@alumni.usc.edu - Age:
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. If you're under the age of 18, please bring a printed & signed minor waiver to the event.
- Attire:
- Wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Please also bring plenty of water and a sack lunch or snacks.
- Parking:
- There will be limited street parking so we highly recommend carpooling if possible.
- Waiver:
- Volunteers should also register using the personalized registration page-sgvhabitat.charityproud.org/VolunteerRegistration/Index/8288 and sign the waiver on this page. Registration closes March 10.
Volunteer Instructions
Native Habitat Cleanup
Westwood Greenway- Description:
- Join us for a 10:00 AM guided tour of Westwood Greenway to learn how this thriving native habitat impacts biodiversity, energy, water, pollution, and our local identity. At noon, help the Westwood Greenway grow by removing invasive plants that take resources away from the native species.
Volunteers are welcome to come and go as they please, so feel free to drop by for any part of the event that fits your schedule! - Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Westwood Greenway
- Location:
- 2596 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 200
- Host(s):
- Anne Gaw '04
Trojan Entertainment Network
USC School of Cinematic Arts - Contact:
- 424-902-0822
cdenning@cinema.usc.edu
ten@alumni.usc.edu
Pack Blessing Bags for the Homeless
XTC KREATiiONS- Description:
- Help pack 100 blessing bags containing essential items for individuals experiencing homelessness. After the packing event, Foster & Banks Walk in Faith Foundation and volunteers will distribute the bags into the community.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Foster & Banks Walk in Faith Foundation
- Location:
- 3959 Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90062 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- Dr. Jamila Banks '04
- Contact:
- dr.jamilabanks@alumni.usc.edu
310-885-1409 - Attire:
- Casual attire recommended.
- Food & Beverage:
- Snacks and water will be provided.
- Weather:
- If it rains project will be moved indoors to an adjacent space.
Volunteer Instructions
Plant Trees in South Los Angeles
The First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles- Description:
- Help plant trees to improve the air quality, mitigate climate impact and provide green space in south central Los Angeles. The goal is to plant 30, 15-gallon street trees.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Koreatown Youth & Community Center
- Location:
- 2263 S Harvard Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 60
- Host(s):
- USC Latino Alumni Association
Isabel Aranda - Contact:
- arandam@usc.edu
- Age:
- Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older
- Attire:
- Wear closed-toed shoes and clothing you are comfortable getting dirty.
- Food & Beverage:
- Bring refillable water bottles. Light breakfast will be available.
- Parking:
- Street parking and parking lot (TBA)
- Supplies:
- Tools will be provided and group will be assigned to staff.
- Waiver:
- Volunteer liability waiver will be emailed prior to Day of SCervice.
- Weather:
- If it rains, there will be an indoor project available.
Volunteer Instructions
Play Bingo with Senior Citizens
Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility- Description:
- Play bingo with the nursing home residents to help stimulate their mental faculties and improve their memories. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility
- Location:
- 325 S. Boyle Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033 - Time:
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 18
- Host(s):
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
- Contact:
- patricktakahashi@alumni.usc.edu
Sakura Gardens Beautification
Sakura Gardens Senior Living Facility- 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 S. Boyle Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 40
- Host(s):
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
- Contact:
- chuch@usc.edu
- Attire:
- Wear casual clothing that you don't mind getting dirty.
- Parking:
- Park 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.
- Supplies:
- Garden gloves and shears provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Sort Food Donations for Los Angeles Residents
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank - LA SITE- Description:
- Sort, box, and prepare food donations for distribution to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank's 600+ agency partners. Your efforts will directly support families, individuals, and seniors experiencing food insecurity.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Location:
- 1734 E. 41st Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90058 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 100
- Host(s):
- Keck School of Medicine of USC
Salerni Collegium Alumni Association
USC Alumni at Northrop Grumman - Contact:
- chelsea.knott@med.usc.edu
323-442-0789
chit.saraswat@ngc.com - Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age and older.
- Attire:
- Please dress in comfortable clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes (closed-toe shoes are required).
- Other:
- No walk-ins are allowed. All volunteers must register online. Before your volunteer shift, please review the Food Bank’s Volunteer Handbook on the website.
Volunteer Instructions
St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Beautification
St. John's Episcopal Cathedral- Description:
- Help prepare St. John’s, during the cathedral's centennial year, for spring and Easter. We will be doing light cleaning and organizing, indoor painting, gardening (weather permitting), and filling Easter Eggs.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- St. John's Episcopal Cathedral
- Location:
- 514 W. Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 25
- Host(s):
- Heather Kelly ’97
Rev. Mel Soriano / Canterbury USC
Rev. Anne Sawyer - Contact:
- socaltrojan@me.com
- Attire:
- Please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or giving color to in the way of paint stains. If you have gardening gloves or thick work gloves, bringing them would be appreciated.
- Food & Beverage:
- Beverages and snack will be provided
- Parking:
- The parking lot is to the left of the cathedral on Flower Street. Parking is free.
- Weather:
- Outdoor work/activities are dependent on the weather.
Volunteer Instructions
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Garden Beautification
St. Mark's Lutheran Church- Description:
- Help us clean and weed the church garden. Other tasks may include cleaning the church interior.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- SOLA Community Peace Center and St. Mark's Lutheran Church
- Location:
- 3651 S. Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:15 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 10
- Host(s):
- Susan Stouffer '07
Kathleen Elliott Chillison - Contact:
- sstouffer.peacecenterdirector@gmail.com
213-219-8716 - Attire:
- Please be prepared to do some outside work/gardening/cleanup with appropriate clothes and shoes, hat and any needed sunscreen.
- Parking:
- There is parking on 36th Place behind St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
- Weather:
- If it rains, we will clean the church interior.
Volunteer Instructions
CANCELLED: Drive-Through Item Giveaway for Students Impacted by LA Fires
Pasadena Unified School District Central Office- Description:
- Help assemble and distribute items in a drive-through giveway for Pasadena students impacted by the fires. Other tasks include managing traffic, coordinating logistics, providing entertainment and cleaning up post-event.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Pasadena Unified School District
- Location:
- 351 S. Hudson Avenue, #130
Pasadena, CA 91101 - Time:
- 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 45
- Host(s):
- USC Athletics
USC Trojan Outreach - Contact:
- wittj@usc.edu
213-872-5768 - Food & Beverage:
- Lunch will be provided.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- There will be some lifting of items, tables, chairs, etc., for first and 3rd shift. Items as heavy as 50lbs may be lifted and moved.
- Weather:
- In case of inclement weather, the distribution of items will still take place, but entertainment won't be provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Empower Youth via Life on a Farm Day
Families Forward Learning Center- Description:
- Participate in a project for preschoolers featuring singing, storytime, gardening, a petting zoo, and other creative arts and crafts activities.
- 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:
- 30
- Host(s):
- USC Trojan Affiliates
Cheryl Holcomb '82 - Contact:
- cherylholcomb1417@gmail.com
626-233-6857
Sort and Tag Donated Items for Habitat for Humanity
ReStore Pasadena- Description:
- Sort and tag donated items, ranging from clothing to furniture, for Habitat for Humanity's ReStore Pasadena.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Habitat for Humanity - San Gabriel Valley
- Location:
- 32 N. Sierra Madre Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91107 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Jessica Lin '13
- Contact:
- linjsusc@gmail.com
310-493-3762 - Physical Activity/Ability:
- Variety of duties, including helping customers move furniture to their vehicles.
Volunteer Instructions
San Fernando Valley Street Cleanup
Tampa & Vanowen (Northeast Lot)- Description:
- Help clean up local San Fernando Valley streets, which could include illegal dumping sites, abandoned homeless encampments, sections of the LA River and various train tracks. The volunteers will be cleaning Tampa North and South / Vanowen East and West.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Volunteers Cleaning Communities
- Location:
- 19255 Vanowen St.
Reseda, CA 91335 - Time:
- 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 40
- Host(s):
- Juli Duva '14
Eric Gomez - Contact:
- juliduva@gmail.com
818-943-8421 - Parking:
- Please park on the Vanowen side of the parking lot.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Nothing too strenuous, but you must be able to bend over and pick up litter.
- Supplies:
- Trash bags, vests and trash grabbers are provided. Gloves are also provided, but if you have some please bring your own.
- Waiver:
- All participants need to sign waivers, which they can do there upon arrival.
Volunteer Instructions
Plant Trees in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando- Description:
- Plant small trees at either a school or suburban location.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- TreePeople
- Time:
- 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Joanna Bayer '91
Brooke Bayer
Trojan Entertainment Network - Contact:
- jcwbayer@aol.com
ten@alumni.usc.edu
818-389-9051 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Please wear clothes that can get dirty and bring a pair of work gloves, if you have them. Comfortable clothing that can get dirty. Sturdy, close-toed shoes. Hat to provide shade. Sunscreen. Work gloves - if you prefer to use your own. A mask for respiratory protection.
- Food & Beverage:
- Please bring water. Please bring a filled water bottle and a snack for yourself.
- Waiver:
- Tree People will require a waiver to be signed via their website- treepeople.tfaforms.net/5014884?sid=a0uVm000005UGE9IAO.
Volunteer Instructions
Volunteer at a Horse Ranch
Ahead With Horses - Shadow Hills Ranch- Description:
- Help with horse riding lessons, grooming horses, sanding and staining benches, weeding, landscaping and general maintenance around the ranch.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- AHEAD With Horses
- Location:
- 10157 Johanna Avenue
Shadow Hills, CA 91040 - Time:
- 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 25
- Host(s):
- USC MRED Alumni (Jonathan Braun ’17)
- Contact:
- jonnyb180@gmail.com
- Age:
- Must be 12 years old or older.
- Attire:
- Must wear close-toed shoes, long pants, and a shirt with sleeves (no tank tops).
- Food & Beverage:
- Bring plenty of water.
- Waiver:
- Each volunteer must read the volunteer manual and sign a liability release form for 2025. (If under 18, must be signed by your legal guardian).
Volunteer Instructions
Clean and Organize Therapeutic Toys
Momentum Pediatric Therapy Network- Description:
- Clean, organize and inventory therapeutic toys for children with disabilities.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Momentum Pediatric Therapy Network
- Location:
- 1815 W 213th Street, Suite 100
Torrance, CA 90501 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Tamara Hatwan '89
Winny Soenaryo - Contact:
- Thatwans5@gmail.com
818-389-0964
California - Southern : Orange County and San Diego
13Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trail Cleanup
Agua Hedionda Discovery Campus- Description:
- Help with native planting, habitat restoration, building and installing oyster wattles, invasive species removal, brushing and trail maintenance, importing and hauling erosion control structure material, graffiti and trash removal and trail sinkhole repairs.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
- Location:
- 1580 Cannon Road
Carlsbad, CA 92008 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 40
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in San Diego
- Contact:
- marialisariley@gmail.com
- Age:
- Volunteer must be 16 years or older to participate. Participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Attire:
- Wear long pants, comfortable shoes, clothing you don't mind getting dirty. Please bring sunscreen, a hat and your own water bottle/water.
- Parking:
- Ample free parking is available at the Agua Hedionda Discovery Campus. Enter at driveway, make a right with parking towards the north side of the campus.
- Supplies:
- Although tools are provided, please feel free to bring your own gardening equipment such as shovels.
- Weather:
- Project will happen rain or shine. Dress weather appropriate.
- Other:
- Please sign this waiver prior to attending (if under the age of 18, a parent/guardian must sign the waiver on your behalf)
Volunteer Instructions
Volunteer at Alzheimer’s Awareness Film Screening
Glenner Center TOWN SQUARE®- Description:
- Volunteer at an Alzheimer's Awareness Event screening of the Seth & Lauren Rogan documentary, "Taking Care" at the Glenner Center TOWN SQUARE®.
See www.takingcarefilm.com/ for more about the documentary. - Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc.® & Hilarity for Charity
- Location:
- 2765 Main Street, Suite A
Chula Vista, CA 91911 - Time:
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 5
- Host(s):
- Trojan League Associates of San Diego County
- Contact:
- pbnordsy@aol.com
858-945-6272 - Ages:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Please wear your USC attire to increase visibility for our Day of SCervice!
- Parking:
- Parking is available on-site.
- Other:
- Please let us know if you would like to help by bringing event supplies, and or coordinating the collection of event supplies, such as food and beverages.
Volunteer Instructions
Create Care Packages for Patients
Loan Direct Office- Description:
- Craft handmade blankets and stuffed animal in care packages, each paired with a thoughtful, personalized card, for patients at UCI Health.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- UCI Health
- Location:
- 245 Fischer Avenue, A5
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 80
- Host(s):
- Michelle Bui
- Contact:
- michelleuyenbui@gmail.com
- 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:
- Breakfast will be provided for Shift 1. Lunch will be provided for Shift 2.
- Supplies:
- Essential supplies will be provided.
- Shift 1:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Shift 2:
- 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- 40 people/shift. Volunteers can participate in both shifts (please register for both shifts).
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Foster Teens Home Beautification
Teen Leadership Foundation- Description:
- Assist with light landscaping and painting at a transitional home for teens preparing for lives beyond foster care.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Teen Leadership Foundation
- Time:
- 9:45 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Trojan League of Orange County
Susan Washle '88
Diane Heimstaedt - Contact:
- swashle2@gmail.com
- Waiver:
- Volunteers MUST copy and paste the link below in order to sign a waiver and register with Teen Leadership Foundation - teenleadershipfoundation.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/7035d324-a895-4418-ba3d-30f63cdd94eb
- Other:
- Due to privacy reasons, project address will only be shared with registered volunteers prior to the event.
Volunteer Instructions
Salt Creek Beach Cleanup
Salt Creek Beach- Description:
- Clean up plastic and other debris from the beach.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Location:
- 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Point, CA 92629 - Time:
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Wahaj Bokhari '21
- Contact:
- bokhariwehaj@gmail.com
949-302-2304 - Age:
- Children must be 5 years of age or older and accompanied by an adult.
- Attire:
- Please wear casual clothes, hats and sunblock.
- Supplies:
- Please bring essential cleanup supplies,e.g. trash bags, gloves and etc.
- Parking:
- Available on-site.
- Other:
- Specific gathering location will be provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Cook and Package Meals & Other Tasks
Brackens Kitchen- Description:
- Cook and package meals for distribution. Other tasks may include helping with spring landscaping.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Brackens Kitchen
- Location:
- 13941 Nautilus Drive
Garden Grove, CA 92843 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 15
- Host(s):
- Desiree Alvarado '17
Ian Chamberlain - Contact:
- desireealvarado@alumni.usc.edu
626-274-6877 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
- Waiver:
- Waivers will be provided at site.
Volunteer Instructions
Sort Food Donations for Senior Citizens
Orange County Food Bank- Description:
- Sort and pack a variety of food items into boxes for low-income seniors.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Community Action Partnership of Orange County
- Location:
- 11870 Monarch Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841 - Time:
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- USC Young Alumni Council
- Contact:
- tarynmaister@gmail.com
- Age:
- The warehouse utilizes forklifts and heavy moving equipment; if children are present they must be properly supervised by their parental guardian.
- Attire:
- Closed-toe shoes (preferably tennis shoes) are required; no sandals are permitted. Wear comfortable clothes.
- Parking:
- Located at back of the warehouse.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Volunteers will lift anywhere from 1 to 32 pounds. Most of the event will require people to do repetitious tasks. There are different tasks available for different skill levels and physical limitations.
Volunteer Instructions
Harvest Produce at an Urban Farm
Harvest Solutions Farm- Description:
- Harvest fresh produce, including cabbage and broccolini, to provide nutritious food to underserved communities, schools and neighborhoods.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Harvest Solutions Farm
- Location:
- 12751 Lambert Road
Irvine, CA 92618 - Time:
- 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 80
- Host(s):
- Alumni Entrepreneurs Network
Asian Pacific Alumni Association - Contact:
- hello@zenfinitelounge.com
626-688-6008 - Age:
- Children 7 years of age and older are welcome.
- Attire:
- Closed-toed shoes and pants are required. Hat and sunscreen are suggested.
- Food & Beverage:
- There will be drinking water available on site, but you are welcome to bring your own water, or a 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.
Volunteer Instructions
Household Item Donation Drive & Storage Facility Cleanup and Organization
House2Home Storage Facility (Public Storage)- Description:
- Clean and organize storage units containing furniture (tables, sofas, beds, etc.) to be used during home transformation projects and receive donated items. Other tasks may include transporting donated items to a nearby satellite storage facility. We are also looking for donations of NEW household items for drop-off only:
twin and full bed sheets (grey or white), pots & pans sets, kitchen knife sets, utensil sets (6-8 people), flatware sets (6-8 people) and toasters. - Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Deed and Truth
- Location:
- 17792 Cowan
Irvine, CA 92614 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 16
- Host(s):
- Leonard Lee '95
- Contact:
- leonardlee73@gmail.com
626-710-7703 - Attire:
- Please wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Volunteers should be able to perform physical activities, including lifting heavy furniture, sweeping and cleaning. Some volunteers will also drive smaller household items to a satellite storage facility.
- Other:
- Please register only if you plan to join the cleanup or organizing shift. No registration is needed for drop-offs only.
- Shift 1:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Shift 2:
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- 8 people/shift. Volunteers can participate in both shifts (please register for both shifts). No registration is needed for drop-offs only.
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Make Sandwiches for Shelter Residents
Gulati residence- Description:
- Make sandwiches to donate to the Friendship Shelter, which provides services for the OC's homeless community.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Friendship Shelter
- Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 12
- Host(s):
- Preetika Gulati '04
Aliya Gulati - Contact:
- 714-625-2972
- Supplies:
- We will have ingredients to make sandwiches, but would appreciate any sandwich supplies volunteers may bring (bread, cheese, sandwich meat, nut butter, jelly).
- Other:
- Address will be shared with registrants prior to the event.
Volunteer Instructions
Sort Donations and Clean Workspace
Precious Life Shelter Thrift Shop- Description:
- Sort through donated items, organizing them for easy access and sale. Cleaning tasks include scrubbing floors and baseboards to maintain a clean and welcoming shopping environment.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Precious Life Shelter
- Location:
- 3622 Florista Street
Los Alamitos, CA 90720 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Trojan Women's Network
- Contact:
- marisa.ybarra@gmail.com
- Attire:
- This volunteer event involves cleaning, so please wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting a little messy.
Volunteer Instructions
Sort Food Donations
FAM food bank- Description:
- Sort food donations from local retailers that may be close to or past the "Best by" date, as well as produce that may be bruised. Follow our guidelines and use your judgment to determine which food is still usable and safe to eat.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Family Assistance Ministries
- Location:
- 1000 Calle Cordillera
San Clemente, CA 92673 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 15
- Host(s):
- USC Marshall Alumni Association - Orange County
- Contact:
- deasmun@yahoo.com
949-302-2444 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 5 years of age or older. Everyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Attire:
- Must wear closed-toed shoes.
- Waiver:
- A waiver can be signed on arrival.
Volunteer Instructions
Make Enrichment Items For Animals
OC Animal Care- Description:
- Help make enrichment items for animals. All items will be provided by the shelter.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- OC Animal Care
- Location:
- 1630 Victory Road
Tustin, CA, CA 92782 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
- Contact:
- huber.b@crediblecre.com
- Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- Parking:
- There is ample parking on site.
- Supplies:
- Supplies will come from the shelter.
- Waiver:
- Waivers will be completed at the beginning.
Volunteer Instructions
California - Southern : Other
2Prepare Food and Provide Personal Hygiene Items at Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission- Description:
- Provide personal hygiene items for women, and prepare and serve food at this local rescue mission.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
- Location:
- 47470 Van Buren Street
Indio, CA 92201 - Time:
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 23
- Host(s):
- Trojan League of the Desert
- Contact:
- tjcallawayrealty@outlook.com
951-852-6266 - Physical Activity/Ability:
- Serve food and help perform maintenance work.
- Supplies:
- Supplies will be provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Historic Japanese Cemetery Cleanup
Historic Japanese Cemetery- Description:
- Clear out trash, pull weeds, and clean gravesite headstones and benches in this historic Japanese cemetery.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Ventura County JACL
- Location:
- 2250 E Pleasant Valley Road
Oxnard, CA 93033 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 10
- Host(s):
- USC APAA
Janice Tanaka '77
Samantha Wyllis-Quiñonez - Contact:
- janice@tanakavideo.com
- Attire:
- Please dress appropriately for an outdoor event.
- Weather:
- We will do the cleanup rain or shine.
- Parking:
- Parking is in the neighborhood bordering the site.
- Other:
- Please note that there is not a specific address for the cemetery but it is easy to locate. Maps will be provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Midwest/Mountain
5Sort, Pack and Box Food for People in Need
Roadrunner Food Bank- Description:
- Sort food, repack bulk food, box/bag food, place and stack food on pallets.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Roadrunner Food Bank
- Location:
- 5840 Office Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109 - Time:
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (-7:00) Mountain
- Capacity:
- 22
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in New Mexico
- Contact:
- 505-306-0257
- Age:
- Please review www.rrfb.org for information on requirements for children.
- Attire:
- Sandals, flip-flops or crocs are not permitted. Volunteers must wear shoes with a closed toe and heel whenever working in the warehouse or distribution. Shirts must cover the shoulder; shorts and skirts should be of modest length. Tank tops, tube or halter tops, midriffs, low riding pants, short shorts, or miniskirts may not be worn under any circumstance. Ear buds, headphones and mobile phones may not be used in the warehouse or at a distribution. Valuables, purses, bags and backpacks should be left at home or secured in your vehicle.
- Food & Beverage:
- Water bottles are acceptable if they are a personally identifiable tumbler bottle that can be sealed to avoid leaking if tipped over. Recyclable plastic water bottles (like those from a multi-pack) are not permitted.
- Other:
- Separate registration and waiver required. Details provided by the host prior to the event.
Volunteer Instructions
Mentor and Inspire High School Students
Future Ties- Description:
- Share your lived experiences, professional journeys and career insights with local high school students in one-on-one and group discussions.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Future Ties
- Location:
- 6330 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60637 - Time:
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 25
- Host(s):
- Dr. Airies Davis '16, etiKID Academy
Michelle Rizal, Career Headspace, LLC
Jennifer Maddox, Future Ties - Contact:
- generaldrad@gmail.com
312-725-8551 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Recent college graduates, retirees and professionals from various industries are welcome.
- Parking:
- Secured parking available.
Volunteer Instructions
Pack Meals For Impoverished Families
Feed My Starving Children - Eagan- Description:
- Help pack meals that will be sent out to impoverished families around the world.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Feed My Starving Children
- Location:
- 990 Lone Oak Road, #136
Eagan, MN 55121 - Time:
- 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 35
- Host(s):
- William Sou '98
- Contact:
- william.sou@alumni.usc.edu
- Age:
- Volunteers must be 5 years of age or older. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Attire:
- No jewelry is permitted except
Volunteer Instructions
Urban Farm Beautification
Dirt Beast Farm- Description:
- Help out with a range of activities, from harvesting plants to brush clearing. Volunteers will also help clear invasive plants and create a nature conservation area.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Dirt Beast Farm
- Location:
- 4222 Highland Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64110 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Marcelo Bustamante '12
- Contact:
- 213-864-3915
- Attire:
- Wear season-appropriate layered clothes that are suitable for farm work. Bring sunblock and a hat. Please wear closed-toe shoes, no flip flops or sandals.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- This space is a working farm on 1.5 acres and all volunteers will be required to follow guidelines that will be explained during orientation.
- Supplies:
- Garden gloves and tools will be provided. However volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves if possible.
Volunteer Instructions
Collect and Sort Clothing and Shoe Donations
Soles4Souls- Description:
- Collect and sort clothing and shoe donations.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Soles4Souls
- Location:
- 5158 Parfet Street, Unit #5
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 - Time:
- 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM (-7:00) Mountain
- Capacity:
- 100
- Host(s):
- Mark Muller '81
Eric Seedman - Contact:
- Mark@MarkDMuller.com
303-941-6926
Northeast
2Liberty Street Community Garden Project
Liberty Street Community Garden- Description:
- Help plant the AME Zion Church of Kingston community garden to provide a gardening space for local residents and improve access to healthy produce.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Liberty Street Community Garden (owned by AME Zion Church of Kingston)
- Location:
- 74-76 Liberty Street
Kingston, NY 12401 - Time:
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Maisha Tyler '20
- Contact:
- maishaty@alumni.usc.edu
845-392-3923 - Attire:
- Please wear sneakers, jeans, t-shirts, coats and cold weather gear (if needed).
- Physical Ability/Activity:
- Volunteers must be able to bend down and pick up tools and pieces of wood (under 20 lbs).
- Parking:
- Street parking is available on Liberty Street; lot parking is available at AME Zion Church of Kingston's lot on Franklin Street (1 block away from the site).
- Supplies:
- All supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own gardening gloves.
- Waiver:
- All on-site volunteers must sign an indemnification waiver.
- Weather:
- Event is subject to cancellation/rescheduling if inclement weather is expected.
- Shift 1:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Shift 2:
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- 10 people/shift. Volunteers can participate in both shifts (please register for both shifts).
Volunteer Instructions
Shifts
Central Park Cleanup
Central Park - Grand Army Plaza- Description:
- Wear your USC shirt and help us pick up trash in Central Park.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Location:
- E. 59 Street
New York, NY 10019 - Time:
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 100
- Host(s):
- Jesse Wang
Amirta Srinivas - Contact:
- jcwang2021@gmail.com
amirtasrinivas@gmail.com - Attire:
- Please wear a USC shirt so we can find each other in the park.
- Supplies:
- Please come with gloves and a trash bag.
Volunteer Instructions
South
11Sort and Pack Rescued Food
Atlanta Community Food Bank- Description:
- Sort and pack recently donated food, repackage produce or grains for families, and box non-perishable items for seniors across Atlanta.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Atlanta Community Food Bank
- Location:
- 3400 North Desert Drive
Atlanta, GA 30344 - Time:
- 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 28
- Host(s):
- USC Atlanta Trojan Family
- Contact:
- jpsummers@comcast.net
770-490-6918 - Age:
- Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- 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 may be sorting refrigerated product. Please wear long pants and bring a sweatshirt or light jacket with you. In the event you are working elsewhere, there are lockers onsite to place your outerwear.
- Physical Ability/Activity:
- Volunteers must be able to stand for extended periods of time and may need to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Waiver:
- ACFB has its own volunteer registration system; pre-registration is preferred. Acceptance of ACFB Waiver is included at time of registration, either pre- or on-site.
Volunteer Instructions
Inspect, Clean, Sort and Prepare Donated Items
Central TX Food Bank- Description:
- Inspect, clean, sort, box and prepare donated food and non-food items to distribute to our partner agencies and the communities they serve.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Central TX Food Bank
- Location:
- 6500 Metropolis Drive
Austin, TX 78744 - Time:
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 15
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in Austin
- Contact:
- rmichaelmontoya@gmail.com
213-820-3366 - Waiver:
- Everyone in your group must create an account and sign up into your group reservation before arriving for your volunteer shift - cafb.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/uscalumniclub.
Volunteer Instructions
CANCELLED: Assemble Boxed Meals
Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank- Description:
- Assemble food boxes for needy individuals and families throughout central Virginia.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
- Location:
- 480 Central Rd
Fredericksburg, VA 22401 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in Central Virginia
Patrick Stapleton '73 - Contact:
- pdstaple@gmail.com
- Age:
- All ages are welcome.
- Attire:
- Wear layers for warmth, since we are in a food warehouse setting. Closed toed shoes are required with non-slip soles preferred.
- Physical Ability/Activity:
- Participants will need to be able to stand for at least two hours, reach across and to the side, and be able to pick up at least a 20 lb. box.
- Waiver:
- Each person who is going to participate must register as a volunteer through the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank website Those who are not registered will not be permitted to volunteer. To volunteer, go to our website
Volunteer Instructions
Sort and Assemble Food & Clothing Donations
Trusted World- Description:
- Sort clothing, pack food boxes and assemble hygiene kits for people in need.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Trusted World
- Location:
- 613 Easy Street, Suite B
Garland, TX 75042 - Time:
- 9:45 AM - 12:00 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 75
- Host(s):
- Blanca N. Garcia '08
Diane Blumin '94 - Contact:
- bgarcia912@gmail.com
- Age:
- Volunteers of all ages are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
- Attire:
- Please wear close toed shoes.
- Parking:
- Volunteer parking spots are limited at the warehouse. If full, street parking is available.
Volunteer Instructions
Assemble Easter Baskets & Sort and Organize Donations
Grace's Closet- Description:
- Help assemble beautiful Easter baskets filled with love and treats. Other tasks include sorting donations, organizing clothing items and checking appliances in the Family Resource Store.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Grace's Closet
- Location:
- 2035 Harding Street
Hollywood, FL 33020 - Time:
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Lasana Smith
Grace DeWitt
Vanessa Martucci - Contact:
- lasanasmith@yahoo.com
- Attire:
- Kindly wear closed-toe shoes to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
Volunteer Instructions
Pack Meals for Underprivileged Kids
The Upside Pub- Description:
- Pack lunches for Kids' Meals Inc., which supplies free healthy lunches to underprivileged children, ages 3-5, in the Greater Houston area every weekday.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Kids' Meals Inc
- Location:
- 3402 N. Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77018 - Time:
- 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- Paige Lujan '08
- Contact:
- paige@upsidepub.com
- Parking:
- Parking available in our parking lot or by Grant Park.
- Supplies:
- Supplies will be provided by The Upside Pub.
- Weather:
- If weather is not good we will move the event inside.
Volunteer Instructions
CANCELED Community Garden Beautification
The Salvation Army- Description:
- Help revitalize the garden by raising garden beds and tilling the soil.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- The Salvation Army
- Location:
- 1907 NW 38th Street
Miami, FL 33142 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Lasana Smith
Grace DeWitt
Vanessa Martucci - Contact:
- lasanasmith@yahoo.com
- Attire:
- For your safety, closed-toe shoes are required while volunteering.
- Waiver:
- All volunteers are required to sign a waiver before they begin.
Volunteer Instructions
Prepare and Serve Meals & Assist with Food Distribution
The Salvation Army- Description:
- Help prepare and serve lunch to more than 270 people. Other tasks include assembling grocery boxes for distribution each week.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- The Salvation Army
- Location:
- 1907 NW 38th Street
Miami, FL 33142 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Lasana Smith
Grace DeWitt
Vanessa Martucci - Contact:
- lasanasmith@yahoo.com
- Attire:
- For your safety, closed-toe shoes are required.
- Waiver:
- All volunteers are required to sign a waiver before they begin.
Volunteer Instructions
Provide Hope and Healing for Immigrant and Refugee Families
The Aloe Family- Description:
- Participate in our community day for immigrant and refugee families by interacting with the families, playing games and building relationships with kids to provide hope and healing.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- The Aloe Family
- Location:
- 6535 Premier Drive
Nashville, TN 37209 - Time:
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 25
- Host(s):
- USC Young Alumni Council
USC Alumni in Nashville - Contact:
- yvonnemily@gmail.com
304-780-4656 - Other:
- Volunteer must register with the organization as well- events.civicchamps.com/organizations/3062/opportunities/eyJvcHBvcnR1bml0eUlkIjoxNjcxMCwiZGF0ZSI6IjIwMjUtMDMtMjIifQ==
Volunteer Instructions
Sort and Pack Food and Household Items
San Antonio Food Bank- Description:
- Sort and/or pack produce, non-perishable foods and household items, preparing them for distribution. Duties may include checking for expiration dates, opened packages and spoilage, labeling cans, and packing bags of food or household items. Other duties may include general cleaning of the area, breaking down boxes, etc.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- San Antonio Food Bank
- Location:
- 5200 Historic Old Hwy 90
San Antonio, TX 78227 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-6:00) Central
- Capacity:
- 35
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in San Antonio
- Contact:
- jennifer.white@gmail.com
- Attire:
- Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.
- Food & Beverage:
- Feel free to bring your own hydration beverage with a closed twist off cap (no fountain drinks). Food is not allowed beyond volunteer lobby area.
- Other:
- All group members must register themselves individually using the unique Group Reservation Link. Any slots not filled 72 hours prior to the shift start time will be released to the general public.
Volunteer Instructions
Give Pups a Chance
Brandywine SPCA - DC Campus- Description:
- Provide care for Brandywine Valley SPCA animals. Tasks may include cleaning and organizing, and providing enrichment time for dogs and cats, as well as other special projects as needed.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Brandywine Valley SPCA
- Location:
- 1201 New York Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (-5:00) Eastern
- Capacity:
- 10
- Host(s):
- Rose Cranna '23
- Contact:
- rosecranna@gmail.com
415-205-6336
Pacific Northwest, Hawaii & Alaska
4Saving Grace Shelter Cleanup
Saving Grace Shelter- Description:
- Assist with various cleanup tasks, including general maintenance, gardening and upkeep.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Saving Grace
- Location:
- 990 NW Brook Street, #1
Bend, OR 97703 - Time:
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Cristina Jones '20
- Contact:
- cristinajones@alumni.usc.edu
952-240-9837
Friends of Youth Cleanup
Friends of Youth- Description:
- Help organize, clean, and improve living spaces to create a more welcoming environment for the kids Friends of Youth serves. Other tasks include sorting and organzing clothing donation by size and type.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Friends of Youth
- Location:
- 13116 NE 132nd Street
Kirkland, WA 98034 - Time:
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- Sammi Phan '09
Heidi Bitterman '01
Terri Chan '95
Nicolas Rodriguez '24
Isabella Kelly '21
Andrea Coyle '20 - Contact:
- sphan810@gmail.com
- Age:
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
- Parking:
- Youths of Friends' main campus will have plenty of parking spaces for guests.
- Waiver:
- You must sign the waiver for liability concerns.
Volunteer Instructions
Sort and Repack Food Boxes for the Homeless
Oregon Food Bank- Description:
- Sort, pack or distribute food to individuals and families in need.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Oregon Food Bank
- Location:
- 7900 NE 33rd Drive
Portland, OR 97211 - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- Christopher Marroquin '17 - Young Alumni Council
Kathleen Karl '81 - Contact:
- chrismarroquin12@gmail.com
kathleenp.allenhoward@gmail.com - Age:
- Volunteers must be 8 years of age or older. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) chaperone/guardian; both need to be registered for the same shift and chaperones must participate in the shift.
- Attire:
- Shoes must have closed toes and heels (no sandals, clogs, mules or high heels). Shirts with sleeves are required. Tank tops are not allowed. You will not be allowed to volunteer if you are not dressed accordingly.
- Parking:
- Parking is limited. Please follow traffic flow signs in lots. Use main lot and appropriate street parking. We encourage carpooling or alternative transportation (Trimet Bus #70). Please do not park in neighboring businesses to avoid the risk of being ticketed or towed. Please note gravel lot is no longer available.
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Volunteers must be able to lift at least 5 pounds and be prepared to work in a potentially cool warehouse setting.
- Waiver:
- A completed and signed Youth Release form in English or Spanish is required for first-time volunteers under 18. All new volunteers (or if you haven't volunteered in the last 3 years) are required to complete the New Volunteer Application before attending their first shift (including youth and group members).
- Weather:
- Inclement weather on the day of your shift? Keep an eye on your email the day before or the day of your shift to check for cancellations.
- Other:
- Every volunteer must register ahead of time. Each shift has a limited number of spots. Walk-ins may be turned away.
Volunteer Instructions
Waimānalo Beach Cleanup
Waimānalo Bay Beach Park- Description:
- Mālama ʻĀina with the Trojan ʻOhana! Come dressed in your cardinal-and-gold gear, pack your unbeatable Trojan Spirit and let's help keep our beaches and ocean clean and healthy!
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Sustainable Coastlines
- Location:
- 41-043 Aloiloi Street
Waimanalo, HI 96795 - Time:
- 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (-10:00) Hawaii
- Capacity:
- 100
- Host(s):
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association, Hawai'i Regional Committee
- Contact:
- martin@centre-urban.com
- Supplies:
- Please bring refillable water bottles, reef-safe sunscreen, sun protection (hat, sunglasses), and Aloha!
Volunteer Instructions
International
9Support Shelter Dogs
Laws for Paws HQ- Description:
- Take care of shelter dogs and take them for walks.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Laws for Paws Ho Chi Minh City
- Location:
- Hem 189c/1/4, Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, Street Thao, District 2
Hồ Chí Minh 70000
Vietnam - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (+7:00) Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni Club of Vietnam
- Contact:
- r.l.creighton@gmail.com
840906960051
Food Donation Drive and Sort & Pack Donations for Distribution
Alimento Para Todos- Description:
- Sort food items and household goods. Assemble nutritious food packages.
We are also collecting donations of food, clothing and items you no longer use. Each participant in the workday is asked to bring 3-5 items or kilograms. For those who wish to donate but cannot participate in the workday, donations will be accepted between February 25 and March 18 at Prado Sur 140, by appointment. - Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Alimento Para Todos
- Location:
- Tamemes 23
Iztapalapa, CDMX 9040
Mexico - Time:
- 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM (-7:00) Mountain
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- USC Mexico Office
USC Alumni Club of Mexico - Contact:
- angela@usc.edu
525521449168 - Age:
- Children under 12 years of age are welcome if accompanied by a relative.
- Attire:
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for your safety during a warehouse activity.
- Food & Beverage:
- A simple service of coffee, water, and cookies will be offered during an orientation activity. Please bring any special food items as needed.
Volunteer Instructions
Mentor and Advise People with Special Needs Seeking Jobs
PEP Session 5: Public Speaking- Description:
- Share your experience and advice with people enrolled in The Best Buddies Pre-Employment Program, which secures jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes and support themselves.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Best Buddies Philippines
- Location:
- 7th Floor, Ayala Ascott Center, Palm Drive Glorietta 4
Makati, Metro Manila 1224
Philippines - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni in Philippines
- Contact:
- Ken@cubixoffice.com
9175242088 - Food & Beverage:
- Please bring snacks for the session.
- Other:
- Volunteers will undergo an onboarding session to learn how to interact with people with special needs.
Volunteer Instructions
Chowpatty Beach Cleanup
Chowpatty Beach- Description:
- Help collect trash and other debris from Chowpatty Beach.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Change is Us
- Location:
- Chowpatty, Girgaon
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007
India - Time:
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (+5:30) Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, New Delhi
- Capacity:
- 35
- Host(s):
- Vihaan Kohli '22
USC Marshall Young Alumni Council - Contact:
- vihaan.kohli@alumni.usc.edu
- Attire:
- Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and a hat. Sunscreen is recommended.
Volunteer Instructions
Prepare, Serve and Distribute Home-Cooked Meals to People in Need
The Pepper Cook Seva Foundation Unit#3-A 1st Floor Rashid Mansion The Centurian Co-Operative Housing Society Limited Lala Lajpatrai Road Samandar Point- Description:
- Help prepare and distribute nutritious, home-cooked meals to people in need. Many of the meals will go to orphanages and children's charities. Food Prep - washing, chopping, sorting
Cooking - This will be under the supervision of MasterChef4Many cooks.
Packing - Food that is prepared will need to be packed for distribution. Material will be provided.
Distribution- There may be an opportunity to help with distribution, but that is not required. - Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Masterchef4Many
- Location:
- Off AB Road, , Warli,
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018
India - Time:
- 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (+5:30) Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, New Delhi
- Capacity:
- 15
- Host(s):
- Anupama Dalmia '27
Masterchef4Many - Contact:
- masterchef4many@gmail.com
9820167166 - Physical Ability/Activity:
- Activities include cooking, serving and distributing meals.
- Supplies:
- All supplies will be provided.
Volunteer Instructions
Qianshuiwan Beach Cleanup 淺水灣淨灘活動
Qianshuiwan in Sanzhi District of New Taipei- Description:
- Help us pick up beach trash, understand the sources of the trash and maintain the coastal environment.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- North Coast and Quanyinshan National Scenic Area
- Location:
- Qianshuiwan Parking Lot 集合處: 淺水灣停車場旁
New Taipei 252
Taiwan - Time:
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
- Capacity:
- 50
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni Club of Taiwan
- Contact:
- vickylee1029@gmail.com
- Attire:
- Wear gloves and closed shoes to avoid being stabbed or pierced by sharp objects. Please bring such personal items as drinking water, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, personal medicines, etc.
- Parking:
- Parking is available. You can also take public transportation to the beach.
- Supplies:
- Work gloves, trash clips, trash bags and other related supplies will be provided.
- Other:
- Be careful with glass, needles, or other sharp objects. Stay away from the waves and pay attention to the changes in the tides at all times.If the waste is too large, do not clean it up. Avoid stepping on coastal plants and organisms.
- Waiver:
- Participants participate in the beach cleaning activity on a voluntary basis and agree to bear all risks that may occur in the activity and be responsible for their own safety and health. Participants acknowledge and agree that the USC Alumni Club of Taiwan, as the organizer and its staff, is not required to make compensation, demand compensation from third parties, or bear any legal responsibility for any personal physical injury or property loss directly or indirectly caused during the event. Participants have read the disclaimer in detail upon registration, understand the possible risks of the activity and agree to the above disclaimer.
Volunteer Instructions
Spend Time with Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Fundación abrazo Fraterno- Description:
- Spend time with children with intellectual disabilities. Serve breakfast to the children and their families.
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Fundación Abrazo Fraterno
- Location:
- Maestro Palomo 480, Puente Alto
Santiago, Región Metropolitana 000-000
Chile - Time:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (-3:00) Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Georgetown
- Capacity:
- 20
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni Club of Chile
- Contact:
- mlsepulv.ing@gmail.com
56-94-216-0428
Volunteer for Animal Adoption Day in Shanghai
奇喵幸福制造局 (Qimiao Happiness Workshop)- Description:
- Help provide adoption opportunities for stray animals. Tasks will include transporting animals, assisting in the introduction of cats and dogs during the event, guiding the adoption application process, selling at the charity sale, cleaning the shelters and providing food for the animals. 这是一个为流浪动物提供领养机会的活动，志愿者将负责各类任务，包括接送动物、协助活动期间的猫狗介绍、指导领养申请表填写、义卖、清洁猫屋、照顾猫狗等。
- Type:
- In-Person Indoor
- Organization:
- Shanghai Adoption Day
- Location:
- 上海市静安区金融街购物中心3楼奇喵幸福制造局
3rd Floor, One Financial Street, Jing'an District
Shanghai, Shanghai 200041
China - Time:
- 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- USC Alumni Club of Shanghai
- Contact:
- blessing.waung@gmail.com
- Physical Activity/Ability:
- Cleaning Volunteers
- Other:
- Before the event, a questionnaire will be sent to gather volunteers' preferences and special skills. The organizer will assign roles based on this information. 活动前将发送问卷以收集志愿者的偏好和技能特长，主办方将根据这些信息安排每位志愿者的工作岗位。
Volunteer Instructions
Shenzhen Bay Park Cleanup
Shenzhen Bay Park- Description:
- Shenzhen Bay Park Cleanup is calling for volunteers! Simply meet us at Shenzhen Bay Park Egret Slope and roll up your sleeves to help pick up litter, remove debris, and beautify the park. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your energy and enthusiasm to contribute to a healthier environment and a more vibrant community. Whether you are an experienced environmentalist or just someone who loves the outdoors and wants to make a difference, your efforts will be greatly appreciated.
- Type:
- In-Person Outdoor
- Organization:
- Shenzhen Bay Park
- Location:
- Egret Slope, Shenzhen Bay Park, Binhai Boulevard, Nanshan District,
Shenzhen, Guang Dong 518000
China - Time:
- 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM (+8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore
- Capacity:
- 30
- Host(s):
- Alumni Club of South China
- Contact:
- 86-13823602728
- Age:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
- Attire:
- Please wear comfortable shoes.
- Food & Beverage:
- Please bring your own water.
- Park:
- Need to reserve parking ahead, take Metro Lines 9 or 11, Hongshuwannan Station, Exit A, is more preferable.
- Supplies:
- Please bring gloves and trash bags.
- Weather:
- If it rains, project will be cancelled.
Volunteer Instructions
Online Only
1Color A Smile
Color A Smile with Latino/a Alumni Advisory Board- 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/84982453618
- Time:
- 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM (-8:00) Pacific
- Capacity:
- 200
- Host(s):
- USC School of Social Work Latino/a Alumni Advisory Board
- Contact:
- mirianjuarez.lcsw@gmail.com
Sorry, there are no matching projects.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
- 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!