Service learning that goes beyond the classroom.
UC Engage aims to engage students in various learning activities beyond the classroom. The program offers service opportunities to students to help them develop critical thinking skills while fostering empathy and compassion. By participating in these activities, we hope to spark a desire within our students to positively impact their community and beyond.
We invite you to participate in our Season of Service!
- Click the project registration link below the project name for more details about the project and to register for the site.Â
- Volunteers must provide their own transportation to off-campus sites.
- These service projects will count toward student credit for UC Engage.Â
Notice for students
- It is important to attend the service opportunity you register to participate in because no-shows and tardiness will be penalized, as stated in the UC Engage course syllabus. UC ENGAGE PARTICIPATION POLICY.
Please select ONE project from the volunteer opportunities below and complete registration to serve. Â
°ä´Ç²Ô³Ù²¹³¦³ÙÌýucengage [at] ucumberlands.edu (subject: Shoes%204%20the%20Soul) (ucengage[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu) for more information or questions.
Shoes 4 the Soul
Shoes 4 the Soul began at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø in 2011 and has touched the lives of thousands of children. This year's event will take place on September 12. Please register to volunteer below!
Fall 2025 Season of Service Project List
Volunteers will assist with Shoes for the Soul inventory and organization before the event on Friday, September 12th.
**THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON CAMPUS IN THE ROLLINS CENTER GYM
Dates Open for Registration:
Walking a mile in brand new shoes makes any child smile. Providing that child with those new shoes – that makes us smile too. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Friday, September 12, 2025 in the O. Wayne Rollins Center Gym, UC Students Enter THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE (Fountain Side) of the Rollins Gym.
**THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON CAMPUS
- Must bring UC ID.
- ENTER & TAP ID for attendance through the Main Entrance (Fountain Side) of the Rollins Gym.
- EXIT & TAP ID out for attendance through the same door you entered.
STATION ONE: Foot Washing Stations
Volunteers at this station will wash their feet and replace the children's shoes with new ones.
**ALL volunteers who register for this position are required to attend a meeting on Thursday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m. in the Gatliff Chapel. This meeting will count towards the required community service hours.
STATION TWO: Buddies
Volunteers in this position will join one student as soon as they enter the gym and stay with them until they leave. While with the student, volunteers will make sure their buddy gets through the rotations correctly, connects with them intentionally, and plays activities from the Patriot activity book (coloring, mazes, word scrambles, etc.) until all students are from their school have completed their rotation.
** ALL volunteers who register for this position are required to attend a meeting on Thursday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m. in the Gatliff Chapel. This meeting will count towards the required community service hours. If you cannot attend the meeting and the service event the next day, DO NOT register for this project. **
STATION THREE: Runners
Volunteers at this station will pull shoe sizes and replace water between children at the foot washing station.
**ALL volunteers who register for this position are required to attend a meeting on Thursday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m. in the Gatliff Chapel. This meeting will count towards the required community service hours.
Volunteers will assist with Shoes for the Soul clean up and organization of supplies into storage after the event.
**THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON CAMPUS IN THE ROLLINS CENTER GYM
Dates Open for Registration:
Student volunteers will participate in helping with food distribution for area senior citizens. Available shifts on Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
**WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS.
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will be cleaning signs and picking up trash on or near the trails.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE IN EAST BERNSTADT, KY
Dates Open for Registration:
Dates Open for Registration: &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
This program gathers every Monday night throughout the school year to pack lunches for needy children in Knox and Whitley counties.
Each project is on Monday from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE.
Dates Open for Registration:
Students will work with the church volunteers to organize and carry food bags for patrons.
Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE.
Dates Open for Registration:
TUESDAYS – Prepare weekend food bags for Williamsburg Independent School students who may be food insecure on weekends.
Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
**WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will help prepare the tables for packing, including double-bagging and counting bags and ribbons for each table.
Mondays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
**WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will help with packing groceries for food pantry clients.
Mondays from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
**WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS.
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will help with the distribution of groceries for food pantry clients.
Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
**WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS.
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will be sorting bins for the organization.
Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE.
Dates Open for Registration:
MONDAYS: Volunteers will be assisting with the distribution of food boxes.
TUESDAYS: Volunteers will be assisting with shelving food orders.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE
Dates Open for Registration:
Monday Events
Tuesday Events
QPR Gatekeeper Training for suicide prevention. QPR is a set of skills that can save lives when responding to someone in crisis. Participants will receive a 2-year training certificate. You cannot register for this event if you have a valid training certificate from previous participation within the last 2 years.
**EVENT IS HELD ON CAMPUS
Dates Open for Registration:
Join us for a Halloween celebration for children & the community. Students are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes—however, nothing gory, demonic, or inappropriate. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
**WALKING DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS.
Dates Open for Registration:
Dates Open for Registration: 
Student volunteers will be organizing clothing and other donations to the center on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Thursdays will include helping prepare breakfast in addition to clothing organization from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
**STUDENTS WILL NEED TO DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE
Dates Open for Registration: &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Monday Events
Tuesday Events
Thursday Events
Volunteers will assist staff members with the inventory/organization of donated supplies.
From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE
Dates Open for Registration:
Real Men Read will engage elementary students in our community with positive male role models to enrich their education. Male student volunteers will read books to students in grades 3, 4, and 5. Reading materials will be provided.
From 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE
Date Open for Registration: &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Held on Wednesdays.
Dates Open for Registration:  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Volunteers will assist the track meet manager with running the event, directing spectators and athletes around the course, and helping with parking.
This event will count towards UC Engage and/or Community Service. It will be worth 4.5 hours on September 6th and October 4th. If you are in UC Engage, you will be given credit for that and then 2 ½ hours will go towards your community service. If you missed the opening convocation, this would count towards your UC Engage service event and the make-up event. If you are not enrolled in UC Engage, all hours earned will go towards community service hours. October 14th will be a 3-hour event.
*STUDENTS MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will assist Elm Street Baptist Church with the monthly cleaning of facilities.
Held on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
**WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM CAMPUS.
Dates Open for Registration:
Volunteers will act like zombies infecting (paint tag) runners as they try to run to the fire tower to retrieve the secret cure for the zombie outbreak. Volunteers will be face painted by park staff to look like zombies. 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
Dates available for registration:
Volunteers will meet in front of the gift shop at 1:50 PM. Park in the main parking lot by the falls and follow the sidewalk to the first building. Picking up trash on trails, the beach, and overlook areas. Students will need to wear closed-toe shoes and bring drinking water. They will need to sign a volunteer form that will be available on-site.
Held on Fridays from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
Dates Open for Registration:
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
A community event to distribute shoes for children in need.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO THE PROJECT SITE.
**STUDENT MUST DRIVE TO PROJECT SITE &²Ô²ú²õ±è;