Inauguration Week
Day of Service - Saturday, April 4, 2020
Join us in celebrating President Ching-Hua Wang, as she is inaugurated as the second president in Samuel Merritt University's 111-year history. From March 31st to April 7th, t he University community will celebrate with a week of events, including Day of Service events on all four campuses on April 4th, 2020.

We invite all SMU students, faculty and staff to volunteer and represent SMU in our communities.

Volunteer opportunities by campus include:
Oakland

Animal shelter donation drive for  Oakland Animal Services
March 31-April 4, 2020


CityTeam Oakland Hygiene Kit donation drive.
March 31-April 4, 2020
Pack and Deliver items
April 4, 2020
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Serve healthy meals at CityTeam Oakland's   dining hall
April 4, 2020
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
SF Peninsula

Prepare and serve healthy meals at nonprofit  Martin de Porres House of Hospitality
April 4, 2020
9:00 am -2:00 pm

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Sacramento

Donation drive for nonprofit 
Loaves & Fishes   shelter
March 31–April 4, 2020

Sort and pack food for  Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services
April 4, 2020
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Distribute 2020 census information in partnership with   La Familia Inc. in Sacramento-Franklin Boulevard area.
April 4, 2020
10:00 am - 4:00 pm


Spring clean-up and planting at the community gardens of  Placer County Food Bank
April 4, 2020
9:00 am-12:00 pm
Fresno

Clean and organize the onsite men’s clothes closet and prepare and serve meals for nonprofit  Poverello House clients
April 4, 2020
7:45 am -1:00 pm



Deep clean  Marjaree Mason Center  safehouse, a domestic violence shelter offering support services to victims and youth.
April 4, 2020
9:00 am -1:00 pm


To learn more about Inauguration Week events visit the official Inauguration web page.

To learn more about the Day of Service events, including location, event details, and to register, complete this registration form.
Census 2020
Make sure you are counted!
Census 2020 brings federal funding to our schools, roads, and housing. Samuel Merritt University in partnership with Alameda County is working to ensure that we fully count our community. Nearly 26% of Alameda County residents are considered “Hard-to-Count” and face barriers to Census completion. College students are part of the “Hard-to-Count” category and are unaware they should be counted in the county they currently live in.

What is the Census?
Every ten years, since 1790, the Census Bureau counts everyone living in the country, to collect basic information including; age, sex, and race, for every adult, child and baby. Census 2020 will not ask about citizenship status or for information like a social security number. Starting in March of 2020, everyone will be asked to complete the 2020 census online, by phone, or by mail. Questionnaire Assistance Centers will be located throughout the community, providing the public with access to computers and support in completing the Census. Responses are confidential, and protected by law.

Why is the Census important?
The Census gives us data about our community, informs the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funding, and determines the number of decision-makers representing us. Alameda County gets billions of dollars from the federal government for essential services -- healthcare, school programs, housing, transportation, social services and more -- based solely on the census count. An undercount means fewer resources for everyone - for every person not counted, our community loses $10,000 over the next 10 years.

Samuel Merritt University is taking steps to ensure an accurate count with an awareness campaign featured throughout our campuses and social media platforms. We are counting on you to be counted, and we will continue to provide you with Census 2020 information and updates.


For more information contact Gin Hansson at ghansson@samuelmerritt.edu or visit http://www.acgov.org/census2020 .
SMU Volunteer Opportunities
LUNCH AND LEARN- Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Health Education Center, Classroom 311
12:00 pm  – 12:45 pm

Steps to Bridge the Gap
Second Saturday of Every month
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Various locations

Next Orientation: March 21, 2020, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm at SMU
Come learn about the Steps to Bridge the Gap program on May 11, 2020.

Student volunteers from all SMU programs are invited to become walk leaders for an ongoing collaboration with Alameda County Public Health Department and Roots Community Health Center.

Monthly park walks are held the second Saturday each month and represent one dimension of the multi-pronged approach to addressing diabetes disparities.

Students interested in volunteering, must attend a mandatory orientation. The next orientation is scheduled for March 21, 2020.

For more information contact Arlene Swinderman at aswinderman@samuelmerritt.edu
SF Peninsula Volunteer Opportunities
Florence Fang Asian Community Garden
March 7, 2020
10:00 am 1:00 pm
San Francisco, CA
The Florence Fang Asian Community Garden is seeking motivated volunteers to help grow San Francisco's first Asian community garden. Most volunteer gardeners are new immigrants leading healthier lifestyles, growing fresh produce and sharing Asian plants and features with all San Franciscans.


To volunteer for this event sign up here
Second Harvest Food Bank
February 8, 2020
8:45 am – 10:45 am
San Jose, CA
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Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose seeks volunteers to distribute food and other supplies to community members in need.


To volunteer for this event sign up here
Noddin Home & School Club- 15th Annual Walkathon
March 21, 2020
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
San Jose, CA
Noddin Home & School Club is hosting their biggest community fundraising event of the year. The 15th annual Walkathon has many volunteer available. Mutiple shifts are available.

To volunteer for the event sign up here
2020 Hellyer Half Marathon/ 10k/ 5k
March 29, 2020
7:30 am – 1:00 pm
San Jose, CA
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Volunteers are needed for the Hellyer Race. Volunteer shifts range from 4-6 hours. Duties primarily include helpind runners throughout the course and in the aid stations.

To volunteer for the event sign up here
Sacramento Volunteer Opportunities

Sacramento campus invites you to volunteer for the upcoming Day of Service activities, and check for future events in the April 2020 Digest!

Participation in these events is entirely voluntary with no obligation to attend/participate. As these are voluntary, non-work events, attendance/participation is not considered work and will not be paid time.
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450 30 th St. Oakland, CA 94608
Peralta Pavilion, Suite 2800
(2 nd floor)
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