PAU Community Service Day

Join the PAU community in giving back during Celebration Week, on your own terms, in your own neighborhood.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (and throughout Celebration Week)

Where: Participate from anywhere, anytime

How to Participate: We encourage you to find a local opportunity that feels meaningful to you. Whether that's volunteering at a food bank, picking up litter in a nearby park, checking in on a neighbor, donating to a local cause, or simply performing a random act of kindness, every effort counts. No sign-up required. No minimum commitment. Just show up for your community in whatever way feels right.

Share Your Story (Optional): We'd love to hear how you gave back! Submit a brief reflection after Celebration Week to communications@paloaltou.edu so we can celebrate your impact with the broader PAU community. You'll have the option to remain anonymous.

Need inspiration? Explore a curated list of ideas and resources to help you find an opportunity that speaks to you:

• ✉️ Write a letter of encouragement - Send a kind word to someone who could really use it, a senior, someone facing illness, or a service member.

  • Love for Our Elders - write to isolated seniors around the world
  • Letters Against Isolation - handwrite upbeat notes for seniors in care homes
  • More Love Letters - send encouragement to people nominated by loved ones
  • Dear Jack Foundation - send letters of hope to young adults facing cancer

• 🥫 Donate to a food bank - Drop off nonperishable items at a local pantry or food drive.

  • Feeding America – Find Your Local Food Bank, search by zip code to find a food bank near you

• 🤝 Volunteer locally - Spend a few hours supporting a shelter, library, school, or community org near you. You might even find a local cleanup in your city. 

  • VolunteerMatch/Idealist - search by zip code and cause

• 💻 Donate your skills - Offer your professional expertise to a nonprofit in need.

  • Catchafire - match your skills to nonprofits remotely, on your schedule