skip to content

Community Outreach

Special Projects

Coins for a Cause

Coins for a Cause is a collaboration between Dining Services, Community Outreach, and various UConn student organizations to raise funds for non-profit organizations. Each month funds are collected through donation boxes located in select Dining Services locations. At the end of the month all of the change is collected, counted, and rolled; a check is then sent to the designated philanthropy in the amount of the raised donations. This is a quick and easy way to donate a substantial amount of money for an philanthropy. To get involved review the guidelines and requirements for participations. Should your organization meet the specified requirements submit an application to Olafemi Hunter at student0840@ad.uconn.edu

Special Olympics

The Special Olympics “is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.” (Special Olympics mission statement). Community Outreach supports Special Olympics through ongoing volunteering opportunities that are offered all year long. For general information, please contact: Katelyn Donovan at: uconn.co.olympics@gmail.com


Special Olympics Dodgeball Tournament


(OCTOBER 24TH 2009)

The 2nd annual Dodgeball Tournament allows various Uconn student organizations and surrounding community organizations to form teams for participation in the dodgeball games as well as help raise money for Special Olympics branches in Connecticut. Uconn students are also instrumental in the planning and facilitation of the annual Dodgeball Tournament held. If you are interested in being involved Contact: Brittni Paliotta at uconn.co.sododgeball@gmail.com


Special Olympics Soccer Tournament

The 4th annual Husky Classic Invitational is a Unified Sport soccer tournament which will be taking place in mid-April. This soccer invitational combines equal numbers of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports team for training and competition. Currently we are looking for volunteers to help organize, plan, and implement event details by serving on a committee. If you are interested in being involved Contact: Julia Leonard at uconn.co.classic@gmail.com


Community Service Days

Community Service Days are designed so that individual students & student organizations can participate in a service activity that is convenient & meets their interests. There are multiple Special Olympics service days including Chowderfest & the Penguin Plunge. For scheduling information and information on how to participate check on the Community Service Days page.


Give and Go

(May 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th 2010)

Don’t Dump it, Donate it! Give and Go encourages students to donate furniture, clothing, school supplies and food, as they move-out at the end of the semester, instead of throwing it away. Volunteers will help organize and sort donations, as well as motivate students to be more environmentally minded and recycle things they’re not taking home for the summer. The project will be held rain or shine. Contact: Bella Vogt at uconn.co.giveandgo@gmail.com


Advocacy

Community Outreach looks to support and enhance involvement of UConn students in civic engagement through new and ongoing programs, co-sponsorship of events, trainings, conferences, co-sponsorship of events and advertisement of community civic engagement and service opportunities. If you are interested in getting involved with the big issues that affect us all Contact: Dan Diaz at uconn.co.advocacy@gmail.com


Hoops of Hope


(DECEMBER 1ST, 2009) IN GAMPEL PAVILION

Hoops of Hope is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and financial assistance for Zambian HIV/AIDS sufferers and their families. 15 million children, 12 million of which living in sub-Saharan Africa, have been orphaned due to AIDS’ effect on their parents. Children as young as 7 years of age are becoming heads of their households and left to care for themselves. Hoops of Hope participants shoot free throws to raise money to provide these children with the security and nurture normally gained from their parents. This year Hoops of Hope participants will be able to shoot free throws in the University of Connecticut’s Gampel Pavilion as a part of World AIDS Week’s group of initiatives aimed at awareness and advocacy of the issue. For more information on Hoops of Hope visit www.hoopsofhope.org. To get involved with this year’s event Contact: Erin Lalime at uconn.co.hoopsofhope@gmail.com


MLK Day of Service

Since 1994, when Congress passed legislation encouraging that Martin Luther King Jr. Day be observed as a national day of service, participation in the day has grown. This day fosters over 5,000 projects that take place across all 50 states. The 2009 King Day of Service saw a record number of Americans honoring Dr. King’s memory by volunteering in their communities; it was during this year of service that the University of Connecticut began imparting their services to the cause. Community Outreach leaders participate in a day of service every year to honor Dr. King. More information on how to get involved will be posted soon!