Service Projects
The UL Day of Service is a chance to make a positive impact in our community—together. With a variety of volunteer projects available, there’s something for everyone! Take a moment to browse the different opportunities and sign up for the one that speaks to you. Registration now open!
2026 UL Day of Service: Summer Projects (Last updated: June 30, 2026)
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description: Volunteers will make blankets for animals using fleece. Blankets will be donated to the Prince William County Animal Shelter
- Location: TBD
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description: Volunteers will make chew toys for animals using fleece. Chew toys will be donated to the Prince William County Animal Shelter
- Location: TBD
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description: Color A Smile is a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading joy by distributing cheerful drawings to nursing homes, hospitals, Meals on Wheels programs, military troops overseas, and anyone else in need of a smile. Color A Smile has provided millions of these uplifting drawings, creating countless smiles along the way. Volunteers will have a chance to color a picture to be shared with Color A Smile.
- Location: TBD
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Volunteer Description: Volunteers will decorate flower pots that will be given to University Sustainability. These flower pots are often given away during their farmer's markets and are perfect for growing small seedlings.
- Location: Student Union Building (Patriot's Lounge)
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Volunteer Description: Join us to write letters to a group of elders to brighten up their mailbox and days! Letters are to be handwritten following a few guidelines, with all letters being mailed by July 31. This project can be completed in the creativity corner or virtually if you are unable to attend UL Gives Back in-person! Project will be done in connection with the organization, Love For Our Elders.
- Location: Student Union Building (Patriot's Lounge)
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description:Gently used books will be collected and distributed to Little Free Libraries across Northern Virginia. Sign up to deliver materials to LFLs in your neighborhood at the end of the day of service. Volunteers will help make book bags and cards for each bag to be distributed to LFLs.
- Location: TBD
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description: Volunteers will submit Pats for Patriots to recognize and thank George Mason colleagues or students for acts of kindness, generosity, or thoughtfulness. They will also write Letters to Lift Spirits for facilities and housekeeping staff in appreciation of their work, as well as for students to provide encouragement during finals.
- Location: TBD
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Volunteer Description:Volunteers will decorate rocks with inspiriting messages of hope, encouragement, or fun designs to share with others. Volunteers will take painted rocks and place around campus, their neighborhoods, other local area locations.
- Location: TBD
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 20
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description:Volunteers will participate in outdoor work, moving mulch or clipping weeds, trail clearing, etc. Please be sure to wear close-toed athletic shoes, bring water, and sunscreen
- Location: 9100 Freedom Center blvd. Manassas
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 10
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description: Volunteers will help with picking up trash and cleaning at South Lakes Drive Park in Reston.
- Location: South Lakes Drive Park
- Number of volunteer spaces available: 5
- Volunteer needs: Volunteers will assist with scrubbing down book carts, moving a bike rack, dusting the top of bookshelves, and cleaning whiteboards. Must complete an additional registration with the library (Volunteer Portal).
- Time frame: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Location: Fairfax Library (10360 North Street, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030)
We are collecting personal hygiene products to support the Northern Virginia Community. Donations can also bring to Creativity Corner on the “day of” anytime between 9:00am-12:00pm
While we appreciate all forms of generosity, there are frequently requested items that are most popular with student users. Below you will find a list of frequently requested food and personal hygiene items. Please bring all donations to the Patriot Pantry located in SUB I, Room 3011 and leave all donations in the box outside of the Pantry marked “donations”. You can also order popular food items through the Patriot Pantry’s online Amazon Wish List. These items will be delivered directly to the Student Support and Advocacy Center on the Fairfax Campus. To contribute monetarily to the Patriot Pantry, please donate to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund.
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 15
- Project Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
- Project Description: Join Harper and Angel to help tidy our Food Forest! Learn to identify edible and invasive plants, help to remove weeds and turn the compost. We provide the gloves, tools, training, and bug spray. Please wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. We recommend a reusable water bottle, long sleeves, a hat and sunscreen.
- Location: Innovation Food Forest, 4699 Mattaponi River Ln (near the south/lower-level entrance of the Johnson Center, next to Innovation Hall. Volunteers can walk in and find staff near the center of the site.)
- Number of Volunteer Spaces Available: 5
- Project Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm
- Project Description: Volunteers will be spending time with residents at Sunrise Senior Living. Volunteers will have an opportunity play games (games will be provided) and engage with the residents. This project will take place from 1:30pm-3:00pm. All volunteers must complete this form prior to attending: https://sunriseseniorliving.volunteermatters.org/login
- Location: Braddock Glen, 4027 Olley Ln, Fairfax, VA 22032
Women Giving Back distributes quality clothing to women and children in need at no cost. Help us make a difference! Items needed include: casual clothing, professional clothing, athletic wear, evening/formal wear, coats and jackets, pajamas, maternity clothing, bras (like new), shoes (like new), socks (new only), underwear (new only), purses and handbags, jewelry, scarves, makeup and toiletries (new and unopened), diapers, and baby wipes. Donations can also bring to Creativity Corner on the “day of” anytime between 9:00am-12:00pm
information coming soon...