Viterbo Serves offers Viterbo students and community members the chance to give back, connect with others, and reflect over a shared meal. Each event features a variety of service projects that support local agencies, like gardening with the FSPA sisters, cleaning at Place of Grace, or spending time with residents at assisted living facilities.

These service days are about more than just volunteering; they are about building relationships, exploring community needs, and inspiring long-term service. Come on your own or with a club or organization!

Are you looking to learn more? THIS VIDEO does an excellent job of capturing the story of our Service Saturdays experience.  Kudos to Mark Seitz for his creative vision and hours of editing!  

Details:

• Open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their guests

• Registration opens 3–4 weeks in advance and closes the Wednesday before each event

• Sign up for updates or join the email list. 

• Questions? Contact: kjmull@viterbo.edu

Note:
All participants must have a completed Participant Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability Form on file.

• VU students/employees: Complete the Etrieve form

• Guests: Use the paper version

NO LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS, PLEASE. Unless ill, do not cancel within 24 hours of your volunteer shift. The community agencies count on us.

Service Saturdays Leader: Groups will have a trained Service Saturdays site leader at each site whenever possible. This person will be your on-site contact and will contact you by Wednesday before the project regarding specific details. Know that the site leaders are a resource for you.

What to wear/bring: Wear closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle. Sometimes our hosts need to change projects last-minute.  There may be other requirements for specific projects, be sure to check your Viterbo email the day before and the morning of the event.  It's usually safe to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Weather: Some projects are outdoors. In the case of bad weather, we will contact you ASAP (email if on Friday, cell phone if on Saturday) to let you know of any changes.  Service Saturdays will be rain or shine.

If problems or questions arise: You may contact us at kjmull@viterbo.edu. After that time, contact your Service Saturday site leader directly.

Interested in learning more? Want your club or organization to sponsor a service site? Have questions? Contact our student leader Kael Larson or Kristin Mull. We are more than happy to answer your questions about Viterbo Serves. 

Testimonials:

• Gaze:  

  • “They are understaffed so many things we helped with were long overdue.  I want to re-center the impact being made in the local community”  - student serving with outdoor children's programming organization

  • “Meeting people and hearing their stories, where they’re from or where they’ve been; that will stick with me" – student serving at South Library Park 

  • “Seeing a group of strangers work together is a meaningful interaction that will stick with me.” – student serving at Westby Norskedalen Heritage and Nature Center.  

• Consider:  

  • “I made deeper relationships, felt safe and loved, positive, and happy! 😊" – student serving with The Little Heart Project 

  • “Today’s service made me grateful to live in a community that is so deeply connected.” – student serving at Children’s Museum 

  • “Today made me very thankful for the service of others and I feel good about knowing I helped others as well.” – student serving at La Crosse City Hall Victory Gardens 

• Contemplate:  

  • “My mother volunteered at a Habitat store throughout my childhood, so I felt comfortable in that environment right away.” – student serving with Habitat for Humanity ReStore 

  • “Seeing different life experiences made it super cool and insightful.” – serving with FSPA Garden & Greenhouse 

  • “Growing up in an unconnected community makes me so happy to have found this one.” – student serving at Children’s Museum 

• Imitate:  

  • “I hope that I can take more initiative in the future and work on not being scared to help.” – student serving with Habitat for Humanity ReStore 

  • “Get to know more about the little communities within La Crosse" – student serving with Holy Trinity-Longfellow Neighborhood Association 

  • “I hope to be more active in creating positive vibes and spreading happiness.” – student serving with The Little Heart Project.