This Saturday (April 26), the Notre Dame Alumni Association will host the third annual Notre Dame Global Day of Service, with alumni, parents and friends across the world poised to serve their communities in the name of Our Lady’s University.

As of Tuesday (April 22), 177 service projects had been registered with pledged participation from 134 Notre Dame clubs, as well as alumni groups and other alumni, parents and friends in 50 states and 26 countries. Projects range in size from large-scale group projects to individual efforts that benefit local, national and international causes.

In its second year in 2024, more than 3,000 volunteers participated in 189 service projects, representing 126 clubs, 50 states, and 30 countries.

“The Notre Dame Global Day of Service is about connection, unity and living out the Notre Dame mission of being a ‘force for good’ in a powerful and accessible way,” Alumni Association Executive Director Dolly Duffy said. “In its third year, we’re building on that spirit with the help of our passionate alumni, clubs and groups across the globe and we’re excited to get started.”

In South Bend, the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley is offering two opportunities to get involved through outdoor cleanup events. From 10 a.m. to noon, the club will help with gardening and outdoor cleanup at Good Shepherd Montessori School (1101 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend) before transitioning to Unity Gardens (3701 Prast Blvd., South Bend) from 1 to 4 p.m. Both events are family-friendly, and full-day volunteers will meet for lunch at a local restaurant between service projects. Volunteers should plan to wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring work gloves. Tools will be provided.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley can register here.

The Alumni Association is also offering two opportunities for those interested in participating virtually:

• Blessings in a Backpack: Organize a food drive or write inspirational notes for food-insecure children across the United States. Blessings in a Backpack provides food for the weekend for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry.

• Street Samaritans: Write notes of encouragement for homeless individuals in Chicago. Participants can find instructions and a blank template here. Simply print the template at home on cardstock or copy paper and mail the finished cards to the Street Samaritans office.

For more information on Notre Dame Global Day of Service or to locate a project near you, visit globaldayofservice.nd.edu.