Staff members of the UCLA Volunteer Center went before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on April 5 to thank them for supporting the 2015 Volunteer Day, which stretched to sites across the entirety of Los Angeles County.
The Board of Supervisors applauded the continued effort of the Volunteer Center and presented UCLA representatives with two certificates of appreciation.
The 2015 Volunteer Day took place on Sept. 26, with approximately 6,000 volunteers performing work across the county of approximately $725,000 in value.
“Thank you for your support of UCLA Volunteer Day, from site suggestions, to providing transportation, to serving with us on-site in your districts,” UCLA Volunteer Center Director Shannon Regan Hickman told the board. “We look forward to continued partnerships and service that will provide assistance to the people of Los Angeles County while also inspiring future civic and community leaders.”
The volunteers have continued serving and leading since that day, with 500 volunteers since joining One Bus, One Cause projects. Over 100 undergraduates have dedicated hours to tutoring campus employees through the ESL program, Project SPELL. “Many more have been referred to campus organizations or nonprofits who need assistance. So, in fact, the impact of Volunteer Day lasts far beyond the few hours spent on site that day,” Hickman added.
“I just want to say something specifically about the great work of UCLA’s annual Volunteer Day because, of course, that’s in my district and they’re here, too,” Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said. “This is the seventh anniversary of a giant day of Bruins service that provides assistance to 48 sites, including schools, food banks, parks, shelters, veterans facilities and neighborhood centers … Let us thank you so much for the service that you do from UCLA.” All five supervisors donated buses to help shuttle volunteers to and from Volunteer Day sites.
The 2016 Volunteer day will take place on Sept. 19. For more information, visit here.