WHAT IS VCU DAY OF SERVICE
VCU Day of Service brings together faculty, staff, students, and community partners for a day of meaningful service across the Greater Richmond region.
Rather than creating one-off volunteer projects, we work alongside organizations that are already making an impact in their communities.
Together we strengthen partnerships, learn from one another, and invest in thriving communities.
Find Your Place to Serve
Join VCU faculty, staff and students as we serve communities throughout Richmond.
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
🗓️Date
October 1, 2026
🕐 TIME
Multiple shifts
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
👤 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Faculty + Staff + Students
Choose Your Service Site
Underground Kitchen Annie Giles Community Center
Food & Wellness
Location: 1400 Oliver Hill Way
Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Support UGK Community First in providing nourishing, locally sourced meals and fresh groceries to neighbors managing chronic diseases.
Richmond Hill
Garden & Community
Location: Richmond, VA 23223
Time: 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Serve at Richmond Hill, a historic monastery dedicated to community, justice and spiritual renewal. Volunteers will support its garden and help care for this urban oasis.
Happily Natural Farms
Food Justice & Environment
Location: Richmond, VA 23225
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Help support food justice and climate resiliency at Sankofa Community Orchard. Volunteers may assist with food growing, composting, soil building, tree planting and native plant care.
SOAR365
Event Support
Location: 3600 Saunders Ave.
Time: 10 a.m.– 12 p.m.
Help SOAR365 prepare for its upcoming Donor Dinner. Volunteers will assist with event setup and creating a welcoming space for guests. Some lifting may be required.
Barton Heights Cemeteries & Shockoe Hill Cemetery
Historic Preservation
Barton Heights Cemeteries
Location: 1700 Lamb Ave., Richmond, VA
Time: 9 –11 a.m.
Shockoe Hill Cemetery
Location: 2101 Hospital St., Richmond, VA
Time: 1–3 p.m.
Help preserve two of Richmond’s historic cemeteries through litter removal, clearing overgrowth and invasive vegetation, hauling brush and uncovering grave markers.
Henrico County Community Engagement – Cheswick Park Trail Restoration (Outdoor)
Community Engagement
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Cheswick Park
Address: 1700 Forest Avenue, Henrico, VA 23229
Join Henrico County Recreation & Parks for a hands-on trail restoration project at Cheswick Park. Volunteers will help restore washed-out sections of trail by moving stone using a bucket-brigade system and placing natural debris over restored areas. This opportunity is ideal for volunteers comfortable with physical outdoor work and uneven terrain.
City of Richmond Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Time: 12:30 – 3 p.m.
Location: Armstrong Renaissance
Address: 1665 N. 31st Street, Richmond, VA 23223
Join the City of Richmond for Bingo, Beats & Safer Streets, a community event connecting with older adults while promoting safety awareness and community engagement. Volunteers will assist with setup, distribute snacks, play Bingo with residents, and help create a welcoming environment.
St. Joseph’s Villa
Community Support
Location: 8000 Brook Road, Richmond, VA
Time: 9 a.m. - 12p.m.
Join St. Joseph’s Villa in supporting communities throughout Richmond, Henrico and Petersburg.
Additional service project details coming soon.
City of Richmond – Fuchsia Freedom Garden Spruce Up (Outdoor)
Join the City of Richmond for a community beautification project at Fuchsia Freedom Garden. Volunteers will work alongside the Garden Steward to weed, remove debris, mulch, prune, maintain plants, and help keep the garden beautiful and welcoming. No gardening experience is required.
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Fuchsia Freedom Garden, behind Success Academy School
Address: 520 N. Adams Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Henrico County Community Engagement – Henrico Lawn Care Assistance Project (Outdoor
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Henrico, VA 23238
Address: Exact address will be provided to registered volunteers to protect the resident’s privacy.
Join Henrico County for a hands-on lawn care project supporting an older adult in the community. Volunteers will help cut grass, trim hedges, remove weeds and overgrowth, and improve the overall appearance and safety of the property.
Richmond Public Schools: Carver Elementary School
School Beautification
Location: 1110 W. Leigh St., Richmond, VA 23220
Time: 9 a.m.–11 a.m.
Help create a welcoming environment for students, families and staff. Volunteers will pull weeds, spread mulch and refresh landscaped areas around the school.
Mary & Frances Youth Center
Youth & Clothing Access
Location: 120 S. Linden St., Richmond, VA 23220
Time: 11 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
Help develop a clothing closet supporting Henrico County Public Schools. Volunteers will sort, organize, fold and prepare donated clothing for distribution through local family programs.
VCU Health Hub at 25th
Health & Wellness
Location: 1330 N. 25th St., Richmond, VA
Time: Group 1 - 9 - 11 a.m. Group 2 - 12 - 2 p.m.
Join the VCU Division of Community Engagement, VCU Health Hub at 25th, and Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) for the VCU Day of Service Nourishment Kit Assembly.
Volunteers will work together to assemble nourishment kits filled with nonperishable, grab-and-go food items and messages of encouragement. These kits will help provide practical support while reminding community members that they are seen, valued, and supported.
City of Richmond – Oak Grove Community Cleanup & Fair (Outdoor)
Time: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Oak Grove Playground
Address: 2200 Gordon Avenue, Richmond, VA 23224
Join the City of Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement, VCU, and the Oak Grove community for a neighborhood cleanup and community fair. Volunteers will assist with cleanup activities, event support, welcoming residents, and connecting community members with resources. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed.