Graphic announcing Duke Athletics' 2023 Week of Service events and schedule

Duke Athletics is organizing a "Week of Service" from April 17th to 22nd to promote the sense of belonging within the Duke Athletics community, in accordance with Goal 3 of our DEIB Strategic Plan. Our objective is to strengthen bonds with the Durham community through service and engagement with city organizations, social justice initiatives, and community events. As part of our action plan, we will launch a bi-annual "Days of Service" campaign where staff and student-athletes will volunteer together to support local organizations or city-sponsored initiatives. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at deib@duke.edu.

Volunteer Opportunities

Eno River Association

The Eno River Association has been preserving 7,500 acres of land, maintaining several public parks, and miles of trails since 1966. The organization is dedicated to promoting environmental justice, access, and equity, while creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds.

What: Volunteers are needed for a bridge repair project.
When: Monday, April 17, 2023 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Open Table Ministry

Open Table Ministry in Durham, N.C., walks alongside people experiencing homelessness to end homelessness by building relationships within the community. With over 300 people experiencing homelessness in Durham, Open Table believes supporting all neighbors means working to provide opportunities for everyone to access safe and affordable housing.

What: Volunteers are needed to help with tasks such as check-in, line monitoring, hospitality, and the shower truck. Opportunities are available for both bag assembly and sorting room tasks, with no direct interaction required with the public beyond other volunteers.
When: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 9-11 a.m.

TABLE

TABLE is a nonprofit organization that provides healthy and nutritious food to children in Orange County. Since its founding in 2008, the organization has served over 2,000,000 meals and snacks to local kids, many of whom would otherwise go hungry. In addition to providing food, TABLE also incorporates nutrition education to promote healthy eating habits and improve overall health outcomes for children in the community.

What: Duke Athletics volunteers will assist with loading, driving, and delivering bags of food to children in the local community who are experiencing food insecurity.
When: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 2 p.m.

Duke Forest

Duke Forest is a 7,000-acre natural area that connects to the Al Buehler Trail and is a short walk from Wallace Wade Stadium. The forest serves as a vital ecological resource and supports research, education, and recreational activities. The Duke Forest connects to the Durham community through its accessible trails, which offer opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities. The forest is also an important educational resource, providing a venue for scientific research and learning opportunities.

What: Volunteers are needed to help the Duke Forest replace foot bridges by hauling, hiking, hammering, and other activities.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Diaper Bank

Diaper Bank of North Carolina recognizes that access to basic necessities like diapers can make a huge difference in the lives of families. While many of us may take for granted having enough diapers, for families in need, not having enough can be a significant source of stress and difficulty. Unfortunately, many public assistance programs do not cover the cost of diapers, which can lead to families having to choose between buying diapers and other necessary items.

What: Volunteers will assist by wrapping diapers, which helps the Diaper Bank with inventory, storage, and quality control for their partner organizations.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 12-2 p.m.

Autism Support & Advocacy Center

The Autism Support and Advocacy Center (ASAC) seeks to empower the Autistic and Neurodivergent community through relationships, education, and advocacy, while promoting access to essential services such as employment, transportation, housing, mental health services, and food security. ASAC operates Part & Parcel, a grocery store that employs neurodiverse individuals, and plans to launch The Farm in 2024 to expand their employment opportunities and contribute to their Community Food program.

What: Volunteers will be asked to help ASAC at The Farm with tasks such as weeding, planting, and prepping beds.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 2-5 p.m.

GiGi’s Playhouse

GiGi's Playhouse Raleigh offers free therapeutic, educational, and career training programs to over 30,000 individuals of all ages with Down syndrome, empowering them to reach their highest potential in a positive and uplifting environment, with the mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome and promoting acceptance for all.

Volunteer Opportunity 1

What: Volunteers are needed to support GiGi's Playhouse in Cary, N.C., during their Ballet with Brooke class. This program helps individuals with Down Syndrome to develop and enhance their motor skills, mental and muscle memory, cardiovascular conditioning, strength, flexibility and coordination
When: Thursday, April 20, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunity 2

Description: Volunteers will assist GiGi's Playhouse in coordinating their offsite event at Urban Air Raleigh.
When: Friday, April 21, 2023 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Bull City Boomerang Bag Program

The Bull City Boomerang Bag program is a volunteer-led initiative that seeks to tackle Durham's plastic pollution problem by sewing reusable shopping bags from donated fabric, and making them available in local grocery stores for free. The program is part of Don't Waste Durham, a larger effort aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices in the community.

What: Volunteers will create reusable shopping bags at Sew Crafty that will be donated to selected grocery stores to distribute to customers who don't have their own bags. Sewing experience is preferred but not required, as other tasks like pinning, ironing, and folding are also involved.
When: Friday, April 21, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Duke Athletics Earth Day Cleanup

Duke University's Landscape Services team maintains the 626 acres of campus landscape and hardscape, which includes tree management, athletic field care, ground repair, litter control, and sustainability efforts. The team ensures the upkeep of the diverse and beautiful landscape of the University and Health System.

What: Help keep Duke's campus beautiful and sustainable by joining Duke's Landscape Services for a family friendly Earth Day event prior to the Blue & White Game. Volunteers will assist in picking up trash and debris around campus and surrounding natural areas.
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 9-11 a.m.

If you have any questions regarding our 2023 Week of Service volunteer opportunities, please send an email to deib@duke.edu.

Week Long Initiatives

Hope Renovations Supply Drive

Hope Renovations empowers women and gender-expansive people to pursue living-wage jobs in the construction trades through their hands-on training program. Additionally, their construction program provides repairs and renovations that enable older adults to stay in their homes as they age.

What: Duke Athletics is organizing a donation drive to support Hope Renovations, and will have collection stations located near our facilities. The organization has requested donations of various supplies including Moen 24" stainless steel grab bar, Moen grab bar mounting anchors, Delta Dual handheld shower head, work gloves (size - smalls and mediums), Nitrile gloves (size - medium), disinfectant wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, Staples gift cards, Lowe's gift cards and Amazon gift cards.
When: April 17-22, 2023

Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive

The Duke Sustainable Athletics Group is a student-athlete group dedicated to supporting and leading sustainable projects within Athletics and across Duke's campus. Duke Athletics is partnering with DSAG to collect all end-of-life and gently used athletic shoes. Gently used athletic shoes will be allocated to Fleet Feet of Durham for the MORE Foundation. The MORE Foundation is a climate-engaged nonprofit organization that distributes shoes around the world with each shoe helping to fund restoration projects and plastic-waste removal. End-of-life shoes will be donated to Nike Grind, a program that recycles athletic shoes and transforms them into sports surfaces and equipment.

What: Collection bins will be conveniently located in all team locker rooms and in the lobby of the Scott Family Athletics Performance Center.
When: April 17-21, 2023