CSUnity

CSUnity 2023 Logo

CSUnity: A National Volunteer Month CAMmunity Tradition is celebrating its 27th year as a long-time CSU tradition and integral community engagement program on Sunday, April 21 (12PM – 4PM). Join SLiCE, Rams, and community members on this one day of service during National Volunteer Month to:

  • Branch out & cultivate connections
  • Collectively care for our neighbors
  • Contribute to community-wide spring clean-up projects

Approximately 1,500 CSU volunteers will collectively complete hundreds of service projects within the Fort Collins community.  CSU Rams would either volunteer with a service-based community agency (non-profit/governmental-based organization) or a local neighbor located within Fort Collins city limits.  Service projects could involve the following: 

  • Adding to upkeep of external buildings and grounds
  • Cleaning deck/patio/porch/garage/shed/outdoor furniture/first-floor gutters and/or windows/wells
  • Environmental work (trail maintenance, waterway clean up)
  • Event support and customer service
  • Mowing/weeding a lawn or picking-up leaves
  • Organizing/sorting goods
  • Prepping gardens or basic landscaping such as trimming bushes/trees/plants
  • And, more!

CSUnity is rain-or-shine.  There is no backup date should there be severe inclement weather the day of (i.e. snow falling heavily).  Only SLiCE will make the determination to cancel the event due to severe weather.  If you have any questions about CSUnity, please contact SLiCE’s Community Engagement Graduate Coordinator, Katlyn Murphy, at katlyn.murphy@colostate.edu.

CSU Rams Volunteering

Volunteer Waiver

Every CSUnity volunteer (including minors and non-CSU Rams) must complete a liability Volunteer Waiver by Monday, April 15.

Team Leader Training &
Volunteer Team Registration

Everything you need to know about being a Team Leader of 5 or more CSU Rams. Train first, then recruit, and sign up by Wednesday, March 27.

Solo Volunteer Registration

Everything you need to know when volunteering individually. Sign up by Wednesday, March 27.

Community Partners Hosting Service Projects

Local Neighbors

For local neighbors within Fort Collins, requesting volunteers to assist with yard clean up and outdoor projects. Learn more about how to sign up and how best to host a service project.

Service Providers

For local, service-based Community Agencies (non-profits/government-based organizations) and University Departments with service events seeking volunteers.

Past CSUnity Participation Highlights

CSUnity started in 1997; its 27-year-history is one full of sincere appreciation, positive impacts, and significant lessons learned.  Below are some highlights of CSUnity from past volunteers, neighbors, and community agencies.

  • “The neighbors are amazing. Getting to interact with them and hear their stories was our highlight.  It really put things into perspective and helped us better understand an older generation.”
  • “One highlight of participating is the kindness expressed from local community members for us as volunteers, they are really grateful for our contributions.”
  • “We made a noticeable difference in just a few hours; it was good to see and hear about the positive impacts we made and quickly.”
  • “This was my first time participating with CSUnity, and I loved this experience – both the service work and connecting with fellow Rams and local community members.”
  • “The non-profits are so friendly, they cheered us on the whole time.”
  • “One of the neighbors cried as the volunteers were wrapping up. She was so appreciative of the company.”
  • “We loved getting to know our neighbor and her connection to CSU as a former employee.”
  • “Since the majority of volunteers were bilingual and our neighbor was too, we had a particularly valuable experience deepening our conversations and building our relationships further.”
  • “Volunteering alongside other volunteer teams made this experience feel bigger than ourselves and made the experience that much better as CSU Rams.”
  • “This was a solid bonding experience for our student organization.  As such, we decided to make CSUnity a tradition for future years!”
  • “I made a wonderful connection with the Be The Match representative that helped out with CSUnity today and we will contact her in the future to work more with this organization.”
  • “One of our neighbors was 104 years old and that made our entire team’s day bright.”
  • “The organization, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, was very supportive and provided resources for future volunteering experiences and it was a fantastic connection to make.”
  • “Our neighbor graduated from CSU over 50 years ago and we enjoyed hearing his stories from college. It helped me feel connected to an older generation.”
  • “One highlight of volunteering was interacting with members of our community and learning their story.”
  • “We had so much fun pulling invasive species of weeds today next to the Poudre River!”
  • “It was eye-opening to see the wonderful work Respite Care does with children; I did not realize there are only 14 such services offered in the United States.  We are so fortunate to have Respite Care in Fort Collins!”
  • “My volunteers were wonderful, kind, attentive, and very hard workers. I’m so grateful for them and pleased to be part of CSUnity.”
  • “Because of one of her classes, a volunteer was familiar with my genetic disorder, and it was refreshing to talk to her about it, because she ‘got it!’”
  • “I had some much-needed projects to complete that I was otherwise unable to do myself or afford another to do, and the CSU volunteers helped me complete every one of them. I’m so appreciative!”
  • “I have never had a bad experience with CSUnity. The volunteers are always pleasant and work well together and with me.”
  • “I just want CSU to know how much this program is appreciated by the community. You all do such a great job.”
  • “CSUnity volunteers give me faith in younger generations!”
  • “My husband is disabled, and I have to do everything myself. It’s been hard on us to upkeep our home; so, to have CSUnity volunteers makes things that much easier.  Thank you!”
  • “CSUnity volunteers brightened my day with their friendliness and hard work!”
  • “We would be lost without this program, I’m 75 and my mother is 96. Thank you so much!”
  • “I can’t do all this yard work myself anymore, it helps me live in my home longer. Thank you with all my heart!”
  • “We have always had a positive relationship with the students that have come to help with our yardwork. It is a wonderful program. Thank you very much!”
  • “I feel better about the future of our country knowing that there are such caring individuals in this generation.”
  • “So impressed – the group of guys came to work; they were pleasant and efficient.”
  • “As a retiree from CSU, I have a heart for students but this particular group was beyond outstanding. They did not hesitate even if no experience (eg. weeding/cleaning perennial beds, gutters), they would ask questions if uncertain (good for them for not “assuming” !!) and were careful, conscientious, diligent, hardworking – I cannot say enough good things about them!!! With all my heart thank you to these women!! You are helping me stay in my home since I cannot do these jobs myself any longer. I would love to have this group back again if they would like to help me again.”
  • “The volunteers did a great job representing CSU. They were enthusiastic, worked hard, and endured some difficult weather conditions.”
  • “One of our clients said the 5 volunteers they received worked 2x harder than previously volunteers they had had. It made a huge difference.”
  • “Our group of volunteers were excellent, they worked really hard and had such positive attitudes.”
  • “Our volunteers were energizing! We had to remind them to take breaks because they were so go-go-go!”
  • “We had an amazing turnout of volunteers despite very windy and chilly weather.”
  • “Volunteers were amenable in jumping in and doing whatever was needed to be completed for our event to be a success. Thank you.”
  • “CSUnity volunteers helped us revive a program that hadn’t occurred since before COVID, they rejuvenated it! We’re relieved.”
  • “Our volunteer team did an amazing job. They accomplished everything single task on our list, and even things we didn’t anticipate having time for they completed.  They were engaged, had great attitudes, and we are so grateful for their time and efforts.”
  • “The communication, enthusiasm, and seeing the residents being able to connect with the volunteers.  The whole process was easy!”
  • “We had easy communication with team leaders and SLiCE, and it was easy to register. Thank you!”