Highlanders Give Back
Highlanders Give Back 2026
Join the UCR Volunteer Center for our fall quarter service event on Friday, November 20, 2026. We are partnering with the City of Riverside Parks, Recreation, and Community Services division to volunteer at the annual Lincoln Park Thanksgiving Dinner. This event will feed up to 400 residents that reside in the neighborhoods surrounding Lincoln Park. The dinner is from 6-8pm, so volunteers will sign up for one of two shifts:
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SHIFT 1: 2–5:30 p.m.
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SHIFT 2: 5:30–9 p.m.
Volunteers for shift 1 (2–5:30 p.m.) will support this event by:
- Setting up the venue, including tables, chairs, and decorations
- Greeting guests
- Helping guests form an orderly line for food
- Help prepare food on serving tables
Volunteers for shift 2 (5:30–9 p.m.) will support this event by:
- Greeting guests
- Helping guests form an orderly line
- Helping guests carry their plate to their table
- Cleaning up during and after the event
Additional Important Information:
Transportation:
All volunteers must have their own transportation to/from the event. The event is accessible via public transportation and UCR students can ride the bus for free with their R’Card.
Waiver:
All volunteers will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to their service.
Incentive item:
All volunteers will receive a UCR Volunteer t-shirt!
Sign up for a volunteer shift here
Event Highlights from 2025
On Friday, November 21, 2025, the UCR Volunteer Center partnered with City of Riverside – Parks, Recreation, and Community Services division to host a Thanksgiving event for the community of Lincoln Park (Eastside of Riverside).
73 UCR student volunteers – including members from fraternities and sororities and the UCR Women's Soccer team, volunteered for various shifts to cut vegetables, prepare the turkey, decorate the venue, serve meals, play soccer with kids, and clean up the event. Volunteers dedicated a total of 9 hours (various shifts) and served 360 free meals to the community.
You Belong at UCR
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To learn more, visit the UC Nondiscrimination Statement or the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.