Join the MiraCosta College Community and Discover the Power of Service!
Download a digital volunteer booklet to record your hours of service. Students are encouraged to submit their volunteer hours to servicelearning@miracosta.edu so they can be entered into the service database. By entering their hours into the service database, students can be provided with a Service History Report that can be used for applying to scholarships, transfer applications, etc. To request a Service History Report, email servicelearning@miracosta.edu and include your name and SURF ID.
One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
Oceanside Museum of Art needs volunteers! NoSurf Fest is a music and charity event that is being hosted at the museum this Saturday 12/7. We need 5-6 gallery guards from 5-11pm. Gallery guards monitor the drink tables outside of each gallery to ensure that guests do not bring any food or drinks into the galleries--a simple but very necessary job! This should be a pretty cool event with lots of live music and good food--if we have enough volunteers, they should be able to trade off and take some time to enjoy the event! To sign-up, contact Amelia Campbell at amelia@oma-online.org or 760.435.3730. More information is available on their ticketing website: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nosurf/1412891/r/iglinktree
Adopt-A-Family Donation Processing and Drop-off Party: December 2024 - Adopt-A-Family is a holiday giving program designed to help low-income families who are Lifeline clients celebrate the holiday season by connecting them with local businesses, organizations, and individuals who "adopt" them. We are looking for volunteers who can help with receiving donations from donors and distributing donations to staff for delivery to clients. Feel free to sign up with friends and groups! (Shifts available throughout the week of December 4- December 7, with the biggest need on Saturday, December 7, 2024) (Vista, CA) Sign up here: https://nclifeline.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=546142
Fiesta Navideña at La Casita: December 2024 - La Casita after school program is an early intervention program for at-risk youth and provides services for (on average) 30 children ages 6 to 12 on a daily basis. The site allows for a safe space for children to go to when released from school. This year, Lifeline staff and volunteers will host a traditional, Mexican holiday family dinner for the children and their families. This is a nice way to celebrate the hard work of the kids and their loved ones by serving them a holiday meal, along with other festive activities. Volunteer: Come together to help set up the room, decorate the Christmas tree, lead arts and crafts, serve the holiday meal, and sit and mingle with the families. It will be a festive time for all, celebrating this holiday season. Sign up here: https://nclifeline.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1010642
Poinsettia Elementary School is short on campus monitors to cover the recess and lunch periods as listed: 9:55-10:15am, 10:15-10:35am, 11:20am-12:05pm, 12:05-12:50pm. The volunteers will be outside on the blacktop and supervise students while they are having a snack and lunch then go play in the playground structure, blacktop and field. Volunteers must make sure students don't have "food fights" at the lunch tables, that they play safely on the playground structure and out in the field. We currently have 3 campus monitors, but we can always use another "pair of eyes". For questions and to sign up, contact Silvia Crowley at scrowley@carlsbadusd.net or 760.331.6595.
Ivey Ranch Park Association, located off Rancho Del Oro in Oceanside, is seeking volunteers for in-person service opportunities. We have opportunities available during the week and on weekends. Service Projects volunteers assist outdoors with painting, landscaping, gardening, small repairs etc. These one-time volunteer opportunities are ongoing and can be organized for large groups as well. For questions and to sign-up, contact Cythnia Renteria at volunteer@iveyranch.com or 760.722.4839.
Operation HOPE-North County is looking for volunteers to host a Dry goods food drive: This can be done as a group or individually. Date and times can be flexible, you will work within your community, friends and family to collect pasta, rice, beans, etc. to make a one-time drop off at Operation HOPE-North County. These opportunities are flexible and help us provide our community members with staple food items. We serve about 120 families every Wednesday. For questions, contact Kiana Sanchez at ksanchez@operationhopeshelter.org or 760.206.3470. To learn more about our organization, visit operationhopeshelter.org.
Seacrest Village Retirement Communities is looking for volunteers on flexible days between 9:30 am - 11:30 am and 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm! Volunteers are needed to assist staff with organizational projects, such as supply closets, activity supplies, etc. Volunteers will be working under the direction of staff. For more information and to sign-up, contact Sheryl Seltser (Volunteer Liaison) at sseltser@seacrestvillage.org or 760.632.3718. To learn about the organization, visit seacrestvillage.org.
Children’s Paradise is looking for volunteers to engage in activities and active supervision with children (infants, toddlers, preschool, or school-age) any time between Monday and Fridays within are hours of operation 6a-6p. Play all day! Required volunteer documents: application, tb test, and immunizations. Must also meet with Community & Workforce Development Manager for placement arrangement. To sign up, contact Jasmine Reaves at jreaves@childrensparadise.com or 619.399.9317. To learn more about the organization, visit childrensparadise.com.
Additional Ways To Serve Your Community
Here are other ideas and ways to promote a culture of service. You can still be socially connected while staying physically distant from our community partners--be an advocate or speak up on behalf of your favorite non-profit during this difficult season we are all experiencing.
- Share with us how you're giving back. Tag us at @mcc_servicelearning and use the hashtag #MiraCostaSpartansGiveback
- Create a supply drive for one of the many MiraCosta Community Partners, take a look at the list of approved sites for ideas, or feel free to reach out to any of the Service Learning & Volunteer Center Staff.
- Highlight your favorite organization on your social media pages, and share their fundraising opportunities and remember that - no amount is too little and nonprofits need our support.
Resources to seek service opportunities
- VolunteerMatch
- Idealist
- San Diego Food Bank is accepting volunteers on-site and in the community.
- Botanical Community Development Initiatives
- American Red Cross: Find out ways you can support or donate blood.
- MiraCosta College English Language Institute: College students are needed to interact with international students. College students must be willing to carry conversations in English and encourage international students to practice their English. This is a perfect service opportunity for students wanting to learn about other cultures. For questions, contact Zakia Farouq at zfarouq@miracosta.edu or 760-622-8770.
