“Our ’Canes Day of Service challenges alumni and friends to find areas of need in their local communities and extend a helping hand,” said Erica Arroyo, B.Sc. ’03, M.A.L.S. ’08, associate vice president of engagement at the University of Miami. “A bonus of these events is the opportunity to connect individuals to the collective power of the ’Canes network.”
These ’Canes rolled up their sleeves to participate in special service projects to celebrate Earth Month and National Volunteer Month. To learn more about regional events celebrating ’Canes compassion, keep reading.
Making a house call
The Atlanta ’Canes Community partnered with HouseProud Atlanta, which helps seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners maintain their homes, to make a big difference in one woman's life. Volunteers helped return her home to its former glory by planting shrubs and flowers, laying mulch and pavers, and painting the exterior.
Nourishing body and soul
Broward County ’Canes worked with Feeding South Florida, the leading food bank for Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, to collect and organize donated food to help further its mission of ending hunger in South Florida.
Cleaning up the Great Lakes
Chicago ’Canes teamed up with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the largest and oldest citizens' environmental organization dedicated to protecting North America's Great Lakes, to clean up Chicago’s largest public beach, Montrose Beach. Volunteers combed the beach for trash and debris to keep it a haven for beachgoers, birds, and endangered plant life.
Thrifting with a purpose
Charlotte ’Canes collected and categorized household items for Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, which recycles reusable household items to the public.
Planting seeds of kindness
Dallas-Fort Worth ’Canes volunteered their time with the Dallas Arboretum. Participants supported the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden festivities, helping children take in the splash pads, gardens, and animal life.
Serving hot meals and the local community
Denver ’Canes paired with Meals on Wheels, an organization devoted to addressing senior hunger and isolation, to deliver free, nourishing meals to the local community.
Helping Hustle-Town
Houston ’Canes partnered with the Houston Food Bank, the nation’s largest food bank, to inspect, sort, and repackage donated food items for distribution to local families facing food insecurity.
Crossroads
Indianapolis ’Canes partnered with Fishers Parks and Recreation to cultivate locally grown produce and assist with family-focused events at the urban farm, Fishers AgriPark.
Volunteers were also invited to donate to the Midwest ’Canes Community Scholarship Fund to support first-year students from the Midwest area with financial need. To those interested in giving to the fund, follow the link.
Tradition of service
Jacksonville ’Canes partnered with the Clara White Mission, which provides hot meals for the hungry and transitional housing for the homeless. Volunteers prepared nutritious meals for the area’s homeless population.
Fresh produce for those in need
The Los Angeles Greater Area ’Canes Community teamed up with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to deliver fresh produce to low-income seniors, women with infants, and children in the area.
Protecting marine life
Alumni, families, faculty, and friends of the University came together to support the Miami ’Canes Community as it hosted a shoreline cleanup of Virginia Key.
Participants were encouraged to donate to the Rosenstiel School’s Scholarship Fund. To those interested in giving to the fund, follow the link.
Assisting the Special Olympics
The Orlando ’Canes Community hosted a community outreach project to benefit the Special Olympics of Florida as it hosted its 2023 Central Region Summer Games. The Special Olympics of Florida provides year-round training and competitions in various Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities.
Making a difference by playing with puppies
Palm Beach County ’Canes volunteered with the Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue, the largest foster-based rescue in Palm Beach County. Volunteers walked, exercised, and bathed the animal tenants of the shelter, as well as performed data entry for its newest furry residents.
Keeping our parks beautiful
The Sarasota ’Canes Community gathered for a beach cleanup at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach. The beach sits at the intersection of four bodies of water: the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Brushy Bayou.
Cleaning our beaches
The Tampa ’Canes Community partnered with Madeira Beach Trash Pirates at Archibald Beach Park for a beach cleanup on Madeira Beach. Afterward, volunteers played a friendly game of volleyball and relaxed beachside.
In service of brighter futures
The Washington D.C. ’Canes partnered with Capital Area Food Bank to help feed hardworking families.
