Through the semester students are offered various opportunities to give back to the community and volunteer at one of the many service projects that are offered throughout the school year. The Center for Leadership and Service (CLS) has various partnerships with different community service outreaches.

On Saturday, October 15, 2016, CLS will be hosting Cougar's That Care. The service projects that are usually held monthly will run throughout the day on Cougar's That Care. Below is a full list of the volunteer opportunities that students can take part in on October 15, 2016.

Habitat for Humanity

• Habitat for Humanity will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This service opportunity will allow students to truly experience the process of building a house. Depending on the state of the project for the day, volunteers will have the chance to install a beam, hammer and nail a wall together, work with power tools—once learned how to operate—install dry wall or even paint.
• This non-profit organization helps families who are financially unstable by building homes that are affordable. Volunteers help with the construction of the houses in anyway possible. A volunteer may do any of the following projects: siding, painting, installing insulation or dry wall and a variety of other projects. 

Adopt-A-Park

• Adopt-A-Park will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students will spend time in one of the 36 Union County Parks, which collectively span a 6,200 aches. Potential projects of the day could include picking up litter, getting rid of unwanted plants, repairing fences, among other needs the work site calls for.
• For any student who loves the environment, this service project is perfect. Students have a chance to help clean up the parks of Union County, New Jersey. Volunteers can expect to remove litter, debris and invasive plants to help keep the parks clean. 

Atria Senior Living

• Atria Senior Living will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers will spend some time with senior citizens and have the opportunity to complete an arts and crafts project, participate in some light recreational activities, or sit down and have a nice conversation.
• Students have the chance to volunteer to help keep company of senior citizens through a variety of activities. For example, volunteers can help with manicures, recreational activities and arts and crafts.

Community Food Bank

• Community Food Bank of New Jersey will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The day could consist of stuffing envelopes to be sent for donations, stacking food goods or clothes in the stock room, or packaging food.
• The mission of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey is to help stop hunger. Many people go throughout the day without food, and by volunteering at the  Food Bank, thousands of people each week can expect food in their pantry. Volunteers can expect to help in many different areas like sorting food and creating lunch bags for children who are 18 and younger. 

There will also be additional projects hosted by campus groups, organizations, and athletic teams; be sure to check Cougar Link frequently the days leading up to Cougars that Care.

Volunteers will find out the day of the service project what the activity will be. Make sure to dress appropriately for weather conditions and any of the possible activities to be completed. In order to participate, individuals are required to register for the project of their choice.

For more information on how to participate and resister for a Cougar’s that Care service activity, please contact the Center for Leadership and Service located at the Miron Student Center room 219, by calling 908-737-5170 or by emailing serve@kean.edu.