Youth Community Service presents
YCS National Day of Service 2025.

Opportunities to connect with your community to make a tremendous impact for our local partners through service.

YCS invites you to serve and connect in your communities in honor of the 9/11 National Day of Service. Various opportunities and events now through the month of October.

There will be home service projects, donation drives for all ages and families to do together to support your local community nonprofit organizations. School site service activities to engage youth to come together, feel connected to their community, and contribute positively to those around them. More community sign up information coming soon.

Download the flyers!

Join us!
Now and Through the Month of October
YCS National Day of Service 2025

FULLFILL DONATION DRIVES

DREAMer’s Roadmap - #Supplies4FarmWorkers
Support DREAMer’s Roadmap with their back to school drive for #Supplies4FarmWorkers with the convenience of an Amazon wishlist.
Questions? Email infof@dreamersroadmap.org
Needs list and drop off information list: link

Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP)
Support EHP neighbors helping neighbors by purchasing items from their current needs list.
Needs list and drop off information: link

Karat School Project (KSP)
Support KSP by purchasing items from their everyday needs list for K-12th and Adult RV dwellers and transient students in Palo Alto and Redwood City. Donation drive list: link

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Support survivors of domestic violence by purchasing items to create a “Meal for a Day Kit”.
Meal for a Day kit list and drop off information: link

WeHOPE
Support WeHOPE by purchasing items to create hygiene kits for their Dignity on Wheels Program.
Hygiene kits list and drop off information: link

CREATE CRAFTS FOR A CAUSE

Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH)
Support the Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH) organization by buying flat river rocks and paint them with fun insects, faces, or other designs to beautify and decorate the sides of the walkways. Additionally you can support them by purchasing items from their Amazon wish list.
Instructions: link
Amazon wish list: link

East Palo Alto Senior Center
Support EPA Senior Center and create activity kits for their senior members.
Activity kits list and drop off information: link

Stevenson House
Support Stevenson House and create activity kits for their residents (120 residents).
Activity kit list and drop off information: link

Project Linus
Support Project Linus by being a Blanketeer and making new, handmade, washable no-sew blankets for children who are seriously ill, in the hospital, traumatized, in foster care.
No-sew blanket instructions and drop off locations: link

SIGN-UP FOR IN-PERSON SERVICE

Stanford Blood Drive
Thursday, September 11th, 3am – 2pm

Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Parking Lot Behind HPE Building, Bloodmobile @ HPE

6280 America Center Dr., San Jose, 95002

Join Stanford Blood Center to save lives by donating in honor of the September 11th National Day of Service!

Blood donors must:

Be at least 17 years of age (16-year-olds may donate with parent/guardian consent)
Weigh at least 110 pounds
Be free of cold and flu symptoms (allergies are okay, as are most medications)
Eat before donating and drink plenty of fluids
BRING PHOTO ID

Multifaith Peace & Prayer Picnic
Wednesday, September 11th, 5:30pm – 7:45pm

Palo Alto City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, 94301

Join American Muslim Voice and Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice for this special annual event to transform this tragic day into one of peace and building a beloved community. All ages are welcome to attend. Please invite your family and friends. Please rsvp for food headcount with this link

Volunteer opportunity to earn service hours. Sign up on the YCS Do Service Platform link

Questions? Contact Monica, monica@youthcommunityservice.org

Filoli Orchard Days
September 9th, 11th & 13th, 9am – 12pm

86 Canada Rd., Woodside, 94062

Spend the morning in the Garden as you help Filoli’s Horticulture Team mulch and weed to keep the summer display going. You may even have the opportunity to participate in Orchard maintenance! During the learning break, get some tips and tricks from our horticulturalists about how you can keep your garden looking great into fall.

Sign Up: Link

Other National Day of Service Events!

Environmental Volunteers

Volunteer Saturdays at the EcoCenter - Free Event

Saturday, Sept. 20th 9:30am - 11:30am

EcoCenter
2560 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, 94303

Help the EcoCenter make 100 gratitude cards for teachers who inspire a love for science & nature! Show some love to our teachers for bringing our Nature Scientists program into their classrooms. We’ll provide cards, art supplies, and sample messages—all we need is you and your creativity! Drop in anytime to make one card, or stay to make several!

Young Minds Celebrated

Wednesday, Sept. 17th 5pm to 6pm

414 California Ave, Palo Alto, 94306

Youth ages 12 - 19 years

Come and share an act, talent, idea or story in a stress free environment.

Sign up: Link

World Day of Peace Sing-Along - Free Event

Sunday, Sept. 21st 2:00pm

Mitchell Park Sunken Bowl
600 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto 94303

Come sing with Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice and YCS to sing beloved songs for peace and justice. ALL voices welcomed. Special song leader Deborah Levoy.

October Service Weeks

Compassion Week

10/4/2025 - 10/12/2025 - Registrations open in September

Compassion Week brings together volunteers of all ages and abilities for ten days of meaningful service activities! During this inspiring event, volunteers work tirelessly to support local organizations that focus on meeting the basic needs of our neighbors year-round. With over 160 diverse projects to choose from, there’s something fun and convenient for everyone. Together, we can make a significant difference and spread compassion in our community. Forge connections of hope and joy as you selflessly serve others and learn about the incredible organizations dedicated to building a stronger, more purposeful community.

Rebuilding Together - Coming Soon

Small to medium building preparation projects in support of their annual event. More details coming soon.