Your  Account:

Prior Year Projects

César Chávez Day of Service Prior Year Service Sites and Videos

chavez day volunteers

March 31, 2023

  • César Chávez Day of Service Spring 2023 Recap

    CSUSM hosted the Tenth Annual César Chávez Day of Service (CCDoS) to honor the legacy of César Chávez and the contributions of farm workers to our society both then and now. We are proud to continue our annual partnership with MiraCosta College's (MCC) Service Learning and Volunteering CenterTogether, the CSUSM and MCC communities service with purpose with the communities in north county San Diego for César Chávez Day of Service. In total, we were able to serve nine different community partners.

    cesa

  • Day of Service Keynote Speaker - Leticia Stamos-Maldonado

    photo of keynote speaker

    Leticia Maldonado/Stamos was born and raised in Fresno, California, the 6th of 10 children. Her family worked as migrant farm workers in central and northern California. With the help of the Mini Corps, she was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college.

    In 1972, Leticia was attending Cal State Bakersfield when she started volunteering with the United Farm Workers of America Union during the contentious times of the grape strikes and boycott. A year later she quit school to volunteer full-time for the UFW under the leadership of the late labor and civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez. She joined the Chavez family when she married Chavez's nephew. Fifty years later she continues her commitment to farm workers and underserved populations by serving on the board of the Cesar Chavez Foundation headquartered in Keene, CA.

    Leticia re-enrolled at San Jose State University in 1974 and earned her BA in 1977. Her professional experience includes a long career with the Boy Scouts of America, and a stint with the University of California as State Coordinator of the Puente Project Pilot.

    After she and her husband Nick moved to Fallbrook in 1997, Leticia enrolled at California State University San Marcos to earn her Teaching Credential and started her teaching career in Fallbrook. She retired in 2014.

    Leticia is committed to community service and has been involved in numerous local volunteer efforts such as the local food bank, North County girls' leadership conferences, parent literacy workshops, voting rights efforts, and community organizing, just to name a few. She also founded and co-chairs a 19 year-old all-volunteer event called Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Project - Cesar E. Chavez Day of Service and Learning, which takes place each spring. The event encourages literacy in the home and community service as it honors the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez.

  • 2023 CSUSM Main Campus Sites

    Botanical Community Development Initiatives - Cultivating Peace through Community Farming:

    Learn about how communities can come together through access to green space and growing food together. We will have projects for people of all abilities from prepping garden beds, sorting seeds, painting, and working in the plant nursery. This site is wheelchair accessible and there will be volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We will be outdoors and in direct sunlight. There will be projects that require the use of tools, walking on uneven terrain and bending and picking things up over 20 lbs. There will be volunteer opportunities in the shade and tasks that do not require using tools and can be completed while on pavement. 

    4510 N. River Rd., Oceanside, CA; www.plantspeoplecommunity.org

    Boys & Girls Club of Vista - Day of Service Honoring Cesar Chavez - Making Books Kits for Club families:

    The project will have two parts.Part one will require volunteers to create book kits for 7 different book titles as a part of a Words Alive program. Book kits will include a book and items for a craft that relates to the book. This process will be replicated for all 7 titles in sets of 15 totaling 105 book kits. Part two volunteers will be split into groups of two-four depending on the number of volunteers to read a variety of books honoring Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. 

    410 West California Avenue, Vista, CA; www.bgcvista.org

    ProduceGood – "Pick Food Justice!":

    With 40% of all food wasted, and 1 in 4 people who struggle with food insecurity in San Diego, ProduceGood's mission is to address these twin problems with one solution. We invite the students of CSUSM to join us in a food recovery event called, "Pick Food Justice!" We will be picking citrus from a private orchard in Escondido, some of which will later be distributed to the CSUSM student pantry. Because college student food insecurity is a very real issue for the students at CSUSM and throughout the country, we hope to educate and support the student volunteers at the same time. We will give a short talk about hunger, food insecurity and the growing food justice community in San Diego, leaving time for your group to do their own reflections. We hope that we can again raise awareness with students on their Cesar Chavez Day of Service 2023. We will be picking fruit for three hours in an orchard. This activity requires mobility (there is uneven ground) and strength (to lift at least 15 pounds. The event takes place outdoors. Depending on the weather, volunteers should bring an extra jacket (if it is cold) and sunscreen (if it is hot). If they are allergic to bees, they need to bring their own epi-pen or medication. We ask that everyone wear sturdy, close-toed shoes. 

    4057 Via de la Paz, Oceanside, CA; Max 35 volunteers www.producegood.org, What is Gleaning?

    Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation – Landscaping & Gardening in the Discovery Center's Native Plant Garden:

    Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation's Discovery Center in Carlsbad has a large native plant garden. Volunteers would be helping with a wide variety of landscaping/gardening projects, including: removing a large agave plant, trimming back native plants, removing invasive species, planting native plants, laying down mulch and composted soil in certain areas, building trail restoration projects, picking up trash along Cannon Road and more. AHLF will provide all tools for this project. It is recommended volunteers bring a hat/sunscreen and water, along with wearing closed-toed shoes. 

    1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, CA; https://www.aguahedionda.org/

    Sustainability Program at CSUSM – Sustainable Food Project Garden:

    Students and campus partners will work in the garden, weeding, planting, composting, or tilling the land. 

    CSUSM 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA; https://www.csusm.edu/geography/foodproject.html

    Dragon Organics - Soil Health Restoration:

    Students will be learning how soil health is important in farming. They will be asked to turn the soil using shovels and add amendments while making beds to be planted in the summer. There will also be weeding that needs to be done. Students will be using hand tools and there is a risk of body strain from using the tools. Students must have closed toed shoes and should bring water. Be aware that being outside poses risks of heat stroke, sunburn, and exhaustion. Wear appropriate clothing. No loose fitting or low cut clothing. 

    17701 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA; http://sanpasqualacademy.weebly.com/

    Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos - Paint by Number Mural & Grow with Us Garden:

    Volunteers will help us decorate our Club hallway with a mural. The mural will be in different canvas pieces, and volunteers will paint with colors that coordinate to a certain number. Volunteer will also be building and setting up mobile gardens with BGC members to create a Club Garden. The purpose would be to teach our kids about the importance of growing plants and learning about the benefits of gardening to the environment and mental well-being. We will also include an educational piece to teach our members about Cesar Chavez and his work advocating for migrant workers. 

    1 Positive Place, San Marcos, CA; boysgirlsclubsm.org

    Universidad Popular - Limpieza Comunitaria [CAMP STUDENTS ONLY]:

    We are convening neighbors to participate in a community clean up in the Autumn neighborhood in San Marcos. Volunteers will be engaging with community residents including youth and families to learn about the neighborhood and together participate in an event that will improve and beautify our community. The majority of the neighbors are Spanish speakers so this opportunity will provide students with an opportunity to practice Spanish and to enjoy conversations with neighbors. 

    261 Autumn Dr. Suite 115, San Marcos, CA; www.unipopular.org Universidad Popular - Teaching and Learning Together

  • 2023 CSUSM Temecula Campus Sites

    Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley - Garden Box Making:

    Participants will make garden boxes out of recycled materials. The garden boxes are then sold out of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore - Design Center. The ReStore is a social enterprise designed to raise funds to support the housing programs of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. Please wear closed toed shoes. A safety training will be given prior to volunteer activities. 

    28410 Vincent Moraga Drive, Temecula, CA; habitativ.org


 

March 31, 2022 

  • César Chávez Day of Service Spring 2022 Recap

    Over 200 CSUSM and MCC student volunteered for the 2022 César Chávez Day of Service held on Thursday, March 31, César Chávez's birthday. Students, staff, and faculty members volunteered at a variety of hands-on projects at community partner sites across north county and in Temecula valley. After two years of virtual days of service, this year's return to the community was a great turnout of CSUSM and MCC's campus committments to serving the community!

    "North County Colleges Mark César Chávez Day with Service" - KPBS 

    KPBS's Tania Thorne shadowed Day of Service volunteers as they returned to collectively serve north county communities through hands-on projects. She produced the video and this article overview of the event.

    Group photo of Cesar Chavez Day of Service volunteers on steps

  • La Lucha Sigue: César Chávez and the Spirit of Solidarity
    Virtual Panel Discussion
    Wednesday, May 30, 2022 at 6:00 PM

    Panelists for the discussion were Victoria Wong (UFW Salinas and UC Berkely Third World Liberation Front) and Julio Somos One Magaña  (Poet, Lyricist, Educator from Delano, CA). CSUSM Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, Dr. Marcelo Garzo Montalvo, will moderate the discussion. 

    • Meet Victoria "Vicci" Wong

      Vicci Wong grew up working in the fields of Salinas, CA--"the Salad Bowl of the World."  When she was 12, she applied to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in Atlanta, GA as she wanted to join the Freedom Fighters down South in their more militant civil rights struggle.  They wrote back (no internet or social media then) and told her she was too young, but sent her fliers and stickers to start what they called a "baby" or "junior" SNCC chapter in Salinas, which she did.  Along with her co-onion-bunching-worker friend, Lillian Fabros Bando, she then founded the Salinas chapter of the United Farm Workers union.  Throughout her junior high and high school years, she was also active in the antiwar and draft resisters movement, forming Salinas Vietnam Summer, and campaigned for peace and freedom candidates even though she was too young to vote. 

      Excited by the 1964 Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley, Vicci only applied there for college and was lucky to get accepted on a partial scholarship and grants. One night in May 1968, her life in-between a Black and White world was liberated when she became part of the Founding 6 of the Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA) in a small apartment at 2005 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA. Vicci then went on to co-found the first Asian American publication, the AAPA Newsletter. Through AAPA she co-founded the Third World Liberation Front (TWLF) that led the Third World Strike at UC Berkeley for the entire Winter Quarter 1969, which established the Ethnic Studies Dept, including Asian American Studies.  

      After college Vicci lived in SF Chinatown, and organized garment, restaurant, clerical, electrical, and other workers and immigrants. She worked with the Asian Community Center and the International Hotel in Manilatown. She was elected Manager of the Chinatown Co-op--the first garment workers-owned cooperative in the world; and was an editor and reporter for various publications, including the bilingual Wei Min Bao, Pacific Imperialism Notebookand Pacific Basin Reportswhich published my booklet, The Global Struggle for Oil.  Vicci also co-authored What Have Women Done?Chinese Working People in America: A Pictorial History; and Stand Up: An Archive Collection of the Bay Area Asian American Movement 1968-1974.

    • Meet Julio "Somos One" Magaña-Saludado
      Julio Magaña-Saludado MEd. — aka SOMOS ONE— is a Poet Rapper (co-founder of Chicanx Rap Collective BRWN BFLO) , Lifelong MS/HS educator and culture worker/community builder. He is grandson and third son to Original UFW Strikers and Organizers. Somos One (Wan Kenobi) comes from a long line of well read Mariachi Singers and Union trades people who used music to share unsung community stories and embolden their audience to believe in themselves and the power of community.

     

  • Day of Service Keynote Speaker - Oscar Caralimpio' 15
    Thursday, March 31 at 8:00 AM
    USU Ballroom Call to Action Discussion

    Oscar Caralampio is a 30 year husband, father, teacher and school board member. He was born in an indigenous village in Guatemala and came to the United States in 1995. Oscar was a farm worker by the age of 8 and worked in the fields until 2006. As a CSUSM student, Oscar volunteered at a local  Boys and Girls Club. Currently, he is an Innovation Lab Teacher (STEM/TOSA teacher) at a bilingual school in Fallbrook Elementary.  Oscar is also in his second year as a school board member for the  Fallbrook Union High School District.

    He has two beautiful kids and a wife who is a school counselor. Oscar's passion is serving his community through the educational pathway. CCDoS volunteers heared from Oscar at the start of the 2022 César Chávez Day of Service.

  • CSUSM Main Campus Sites

    Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation - "Hubbs Trail Erosion Prevention"  Assist in building a fence along the border of our Hubbs trail. Install sandbags to prevent landslides down the bluffs and remove invasive plants and trash. Assist in habitat restoration by planting native, drought-resistant plants.

    Produce Good - "Pick Food Justice!" Help fight food insecurity by picking oranges from the orchard to donate to local food banks.

    San Pasqual Academy Dragon Organics - "Serenity Garden Clean Up" Weeding the garden at the Academy that serves as a quiet area for students, staff, faculty, and grandparents. Assist with getting the area ready for the planting of wildflowers and herbs.

    Boys and Girls Club of Vista - "Together All Things Are Possible"  Assemble "literacy kits" for children that included flashcards and books. Paint club mural, clean up and organize youth community spaces.

    Botanical Community Development Initiatives -“Food Justice Through Farming” Learn about how community can come together through access to green space and growing food together.  We will have projects for people of all abilities from prepping garden beds, sorting seeds, painting, and working in the plant nursery.

    CSU San Marcos Sustainable Food Project Garden and Pollinator Garden - Farm projects related to weeding and create planting beds and other garden related activities. [ACCESSIBLE SITE]

  • CSUSM Temecula Campus Site

    Habitat for Humanity – Inland Valley (Temecula) “Making Garden Boxes out of Recycled Materials” Disassemble recycled material to make sellable, low-cost garden boxes for personalized gardens. The garden boxes will be made in two sizes for home or apartment use. Proceeds from the sale of the boxes will support housing programs at Habitat for Humanity. 


March 31, 2021 |  Virtual Day of Service Event


March 31, 2020 (Cancelled due to Covid-19)


April 1, 2019


March 30, 2018

  • CSUSM Main Campus Sites
     
    • “Dragon Organics Farm" San Pasqual Academy
    • “Nourishing Community Through Urban Farming” Community Roots Farm
    • “Grounds Beautification” Ivey Ranch Park Association
    • “Pick Food Justice!” ProduceGood
    • “Luiseño Learning Garden at Heritage Park” San Marcos Historical Society
    • “5th Grade Student Environmental Mural” Richland Elementary
    • “Cesar Chavez Mural” Muramid Mural Museum & Art Center (Project Located On Campus)
    • “Village Spring Clean” Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
    • “Helping those in Need One Sale at a Time” Brother Benno’s Thrift Shop
    • Sustainable Food Project Garden (Project Located On Campus)
  • CSUSM Temecula Campus Site
    • “Gardening Center” Boys & Girls Club of Pechanga Great Oak
    • "Paint a Home" Habitat for Humanity
  • 2018 Picture Archives

 

Cesar Chavez Day of Service 2017 - Thank You

March 31, 2017


 March 31, 2016 


Thank you

2014 - The Inaugural Day of Service Video Recap