UC San Diego staff will get a preview of Volunteer50: The Chancellor’s Call to Service at the All-Staff Picnic on Friday, Aug. 20. This initiative, a key component of the university’s 50th Anniversary celebration, encourages the entire campus community, including all students, faculty, staff, alumni and university friends, to perform 50 hours of volunteer service during the 2010-11 academic year. Chancellor Marye Anne Fox has set a goal of reaching a total of at least 50,000 cumulative volunteer hours during this milestone year,

“Service is an important part of both the UC San Diego and the University of California missions. I am incredibly excited to launch the Volunteer50 initiative this fall as part of our 50th Anniversary year,” said Fox.

“As volunteers, you are welcome to perform your service anywhere you choose.  We will also feature a theme each month — such as education, the arts and environment — as well as partner agencies that will offer service ideas,” she said. “Volunteer50 offers the UC San Diego family an opportunity to give back to the San Diego community — a community that has supported the university for 50 years,” Fox added. 

The initiative is expected to demonstrate how much the university community cares about the region, as well as show the impact that students, staff, faculty and alumni make, day in and day out, all over our county. In addition to supporting the university’s mission of service, Volunteer50 will showcase the widespread and diverse contributions of UC San Diego volunteers, as well as the remarkable work being done by our partner agencies throughout the region.

Look for the Volunteer50 table at the All-Staff Picnic to register as a volunteer and learn more about the initiative.  Or visit www.50th.ucsd.edu and click on the Volunteer50 button for more information.