Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
Last fall, Colby alumni around the country came together in the spirit of service.
Guided by the College’s mission to foster knowledge, purpose, and community, this day invited alumni to take small but meaningful actions to improve the places they live.
We are excited to bring this event back in 2026 and continue to grow Colby’s community impact.
Confirmed Projects for Alumni Day of Service 2026
There are currently three projects confirmed in Boston:
- Rosie’s Place
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Meal prepping at Rosie’s Place, a women’s shelter located in Boston, Mass. (the oldest women’s shelter in the world, founded in 1974). No kitchen experience required. Maximum capacity of 10 people. Volunteers must register 3 days prior.
- Women’s Lunch Place
2 shifts: 7–11 a.m.and 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Women’s Lunch Place inspires hope and supports the development of self-sustaining skills for women experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty. We create a safe, welcoming day shelter community in which we respect the dignity of our guests. 6 people per shift.
- Cradles to Crayons
10 a.m.–noon
Cradles to Crayons provides children experiencing homelessness or low-income situations with essential items like clothing, shoes, diapers, and school supplies. Volunteers will quality-check, sort, package, and prepare donations to go to kids in our communities. Children ages 5+ are welcome with an adult. This opportunity has 25 adult volunteer spots available and 10 child spots available.
Gaining Ground
1:15–3:15 p.m.
Gaining Ground, a nonprofit organic farm in Concord, Mass., grows vegetables and fruit with the help of several thousand community volunteers and donates all of this fresh food to area meal programs and food pantries.
We are planning to work at Gaining Ground’s satellite land parcel in Minute Man National Historical Park. Attendees should meet a few minutes before 1:15 p.m. at 955 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742, NOT at the original farm site on Virginia Road.
Register here.
*Please be sure to complete your registration by also signing up through the host organization’s volunteer portal, linked in the registration page above.
Food Bank of the Rockies
8:45 a.m.–noon
The Food Bank of the Rockies ensures that neighbors have access to nourishing food. This volunteer opportunity will take place in an active warehouse setting where volunteers will help with daily tasks of warehouse management to ensure that the Food Bank is effectively fulfilling its mission.
Fort Collins Trolley Barn
9:30–11:30 a.m.
Come learn about the 100-year-old electric streetcars in Fort Collins and help clean them after a busy season on the rails between City Park and Old Town. Our task will include a light cleaning of the windows, seats, and floors of cars 21 and 25, then taking a ride with fellow alumni up and down beautiful Mountain Avenue in Fort Collins. Kid-friendly and casual. Limit of 25 volunteers.
The Woods Project
9–11:30 a.m.
Volunteers will help prepare backpacking and camping gear for the fall season by sorting, cleaning, inspecting, and organizing equipment returning from summer expeditions. This hands-on project directly supports outdoor education programs. Capped at 20 people; breakfast and snacks provided.
Register here.
*Please be sure to complete your registration by also signing up through the host organization’s volunteer portal, linked in the registration page above.
Holland Park Wildlife Area
10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Join HandsOn London and Taskforce for Nature at Holland Park to maintain a biodiverse, healthy green space! This is a conservation-focused volunteering experience for newcomers and regulars alike. Tasks are seasonal, so you may be planting, cleaning up invasive species, building dead hedges, and more. This is a drop-in session, and you are free to come and go as you please.
St. Vincent de Paul Monthly Food Pantry Distribution
8–11:30 a.m.
Join the monthly food pantry distribution at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Wear closed-toed shoes good for walking (sneakers are great) and comfortable clothing. Bring a water bottle. Feel free to wear a Colby T-shirt! Children are welcome.
Maine Needs
9 a.m.–noon
Join us for a morning of volunteering at Maine Needs, an organization that provides basic essentials to individuals and families throughout Maine. We’ll be organizing items, packing up requested items, and having a grand time supporting our neighbors. Capped at 20 people.
Register here.
*Please be sure to complete your registration by also signing up through the host organization’s volunteer portal, linked in the registration page above.
GLIDE
7–9:30 a.m.
Come serve breakfast with GLIDE’s Daily Free Meals Program and be engaged in a truly transformative experience. We serve on average 500–600 meals during this shift every day. Volunteers assist with everything from serving food and bussing tables, to handing out silverware and condiments. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves, break a sweat, and make some beautiful human connections!
Requirement: volunteers must be 8+ years old (fully completed and signed minor waiver required for volunteers younger than 18).
Strong Girls United
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Strong Girls United is a nonprofit organization headquartered in York, Maine, dedicated to helping girls build confidence through sport, mentorship, and mental health programming. Our Sports Equipment Exchange event is a day where the community is invited to drop off sports equipment that can get reused by others in need. The equipment will be sorted, and then the community is invited to come take any equipment they may need (cleats, shirts, sports bras, sticks, etc.). Spend your Alumni Day of Service helping us intake, sort, and then distribute sports gear from and for the local community.
Don’t see your city listed?
Host a Project Where You Live
Organize a service project—on your own or with a group of local alumni, friends, or family.
Complete the form below to register your project so we can connect with you and count your impact.
Want to participate but you’re not sure what to do? We can help!
Fill out the form and a member of our team will reach out to help you plan your project.
Check out these images from Alumni Day of Service 2025
Colby alumni volunteered across the country during last year’s Alumni Day of Service.