Message from the Dean
As a public institution, the Law School has an obligation to serve the public interest. In the Law Quad, that mission is carried out in myriad ways. We instill in our students not only the importance of teamwork and collegiality between classmates—a hallmark of our culture—but also the importance of giving back. Simply put, Michigan Law trains lawyers who are committed to the greater good.
Michigan Law alumni carry this tradition of service with them wherever they go. Our graduates are leaders and volunteers at organizations that provide services to those in need, protect our environment and natural resources, encourage and support the arts, and in many other ways contribute to the functioning of a caring and vibrant society.
Alumni Service Day, held annually on a spring Saturday, is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate these shared values by volunteering as a team with local organizations across the country and beyond. In many ways, this event captures the essence of Michigan Law—we like spending time with other Wolverines, and we like service. Wherever you are, I hope you will join an event in your area or take the initiative to start a new tradition in your community.
Neel U. Sukhatme
David A. Breach Dean of Law
Professor of Law
Participating Locations
The 2026 Alumni Service Day will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Information about individual events will be added below as details are confirmed for each participating location. In previous years, alumni have hosted events in Anchorage, Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, and internationally in Ahmedabad, India, and Dusseldorf, Germany.
Stay tuned for more information about the 2026 events as details and participating locations are confirmed.
If you are interested in organizing an event in a new location or getting involved in existing activities, please reach out to [email protected]. Go Blue!
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Anchorage
Team Leaders: Sara Taylor, ’11, Erin Dougherty Lynch, ’08 and Pearl Pickett, ’13.
Who: Team leader Sara Taylor has secured a pavilion at Wolverine Park (where else!) to kick-start Anchorage City-Wide Clean-Up Month.
What: Volunteers will be picking up trash and detritus abandoned over the winter for proper disposal or recycling. All activities will be outdoors with open-air shelter and portable restrooms. If we get a large group, or finish early, Taku Lake is just across the way and always in need of tidying up.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 9–12 p.m.
Where: 1006 W 74th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99518
What to Wear: Dress in comfortable layers appropriate for the weather, and please feel free to wear your MLaw gear! While there are fields and hardened trails, expect the park(s) to be marshy and wet—boots, waders, Xtratufs, or shoes you do not like are recommended for the full experience. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: Yourself, your invitees, and any provisions those in your group might have with them to feel comfortable spending the morning outdoors picking things up off the ground. Light snacks and beverages will be available all day, with coffee and cocoa in the morning, drinking water and juice boxes on demand. Garbage bags, recycling bins, disposable gloves, non-disposable work gloves, wipes, hand sanitizer, and similar will be provided.
Age Restriction: Michigan Law alumni, friends, and family of all ages, species, and capabilities are welcome. Volunteers under 18 should be with a trusted adult.
Directions: From Tudor and C Street, head south and turn right on West 76th Avenue. After 2 miles, turn right on Stanley Drive, left onto West 75th Avenue, and parking is available on the street. We will be gathering at and staging out of the picnic shelter—look for the maize and blue!
Additional Information: The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch at Wolverine Park. Pets are welcome to join the fun on a leash in the control of a person competent in their restraint, per 17.10.010(A) of the Anchorage Municipal Code.
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Chicago
Team Leaders: Judith Conway, ’14 and Leah Duncan, ’20.
Who: Greater Chicago Food Depository
What: Volunteers will repack bulk products into family-sized portions, sort and categorize donated food items, glean fresh produce items and bread.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 9–11:30 a.m.
Where: 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632. Once you arrive, you will check-in with a member of the organization’s Volunteer Engagement Team, and from there you will be guided to their volunteer lobby and orientation room.
What to Wear: Long pants, shirts that cover shoulders, and fully enclosed shoes are required. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: In addition to friends and family, volunteers are encouraged to bring a water bottle for their personal use during the event.
Age Restriction: Kids aged 11 and older can join the repack sessions at the warehouse. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking & Transportation: Parking is available on site. For visitors taking public transit, the 53A (South Pulaski) bus stop at Ann Lurie Place is located one block east of the Food Depository. The Pulaski Orange Line station is located one mile south of the Food Depository.
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Cincinnati
Team Leader: Rachel Barr, ’18.
Who: Freestore Foodbank
What: Volunteers will help with stocking shelves and check out at Bea Taylor Market (a choice food pantry). The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider to children and families in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 3401 Rosenthal Way, Cincinnati, OH 45204
What to Wear: Comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes. Shirts must have sleeves (no tank tops, or inappropriate content on clothing). We’ll be on our feet moving food and helping people check out. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: Feel free to bring friends and family. Volunteers may bring a water bottle for their personal use during the event.
Age Restriction: Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome with the minimum age to volunteer being 16.
Parking & Transportation: Parking is available in a lot/garage onsite. There is also a public bus stop across the street.
Additional Information: The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch following the activity.
Volunteer Requirement: All participants will have to sign up with the organization here and sign a waiver online before being able to participate.
Organization Information: The organization distributes 47.2 million meals annually to low-income individuals and families. The Freestore Foodbank supports 579 community partners in 20 counties throughout Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, including food kitchens, homeless shelters, emergency food pantries, social service centers and program sites. By providing emergency food distribution, the Freestore Foodbank responds to the issue of poverty and food insecurity in our community and provides an array of services (emergency clothing, housing services, SNAP assistance, Medicaid outreach and others) aimed at creating self-reliance. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America.
Freestore Foodbank is not a religiously affiliated organization and the food they provide may not be restricted to any recipient based on faith. They do have over 611 partner agencies across the tristate, many of which are diverse faith-based organizations.
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Dallas
Team Leader: Riana Poullard, ’03
Who: We will be volunteering with House of Shine, an educational nonprofit and interactive self-discovery museum, whose mission is to help people aged 5-95 who they are and why their contributions to the world matter.
What: We will be working on various creative projects that may include arts and crafts, centerpiece making and/or outdoor tasks.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 12–2 p.m.
Where: 334 S. Barton St., Grapevine, TX 76051. Meet at the front of the museum.
What to Wear: Please wear closed toed shoes and dress in layers for the weather in case we are outdoors. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: Please bring a water bottle for your personal use during the volunteer activity. All supplies will be provided.
Parking: Parking is available on-site.
Age Restriction: Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome with the minimum age to volunteer being 16.
Additional information: A pizza lunch will be provided by the Office of Development & Alumni Relations after the volunteer event.
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Detroit
Team Leader: Priya Gianino, ’18.
Who: Greening of Detroit
What: Volunteers will be planting trees in a historically significant location in Detroit. The Alfonso Wells Playground is home to the Birwood Wall, which was designated in the National Register of Historic Places in Jan 2021.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Alfonso Wells Playground, 20191 Griggs St., Detroit 48221
What to Wear: For safety reasons, volunteers should wear close-toed work shoes or boots. Rain jackets and layers are recommended. Dress for the weather and to get messy as we will plant rain or shine, Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: In addition to friends and family, volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and a water bottle for their personal use during the event.
Age Restriction: Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome. All ages are welcome, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking & Transportation: Parking is available on the street.
Additional Information: The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch at the conclusion of the activity.
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Houston
Team Leader: Pamela Brantley Dunnings, ’08
Who: Books Between Kids
What: Books Between Kids is a non-profit organization serving Houston’s at-risk children by providing them with books to build their own home libraries.
Volunteers will be sorting and preparing books for distribution to libraries, schools, and other organizations around Houston.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 9–11 a.m.
Where: 9947 Harwin Dr., Suites B & C Houston, TX 77036 (enter driveway between 9941 and 9949)
What to Wear: Volunteers will be working in a warehouse that is well ventilated and has fans but is not air-conditioned. Please wear comfortable, lightweight clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: You are welcome to invite family and friends to join you, but please make sure that all volunteers are pre-registered with the organization by April 18. Books Between Kids cannot accommodate any unregistered/walk up volunteers.
We welcome donations of new or gently used children’s books during your shift. BBK can provide a tax receipt or verification of service hours, if needed.
Lastly, volunteers may wish to bring a water bottle for personal use during the activity.
Age Requirements: Ages 8–13: Kids aged 8–13 should not use this link to register. They must volunteer with a parent or guardian. When the parent/guardian registers, they will have the option to add the minor.
Ages 14–17: Must register through the link and bring a completed Parental Consent and Waiver of Liability for Minor Volunteer form, signed by their parent, to their shift.
Additional Information: Parking is available in the lot on-site.
In the event that we have more than 15–16 volunteers, we will do a second volunteer site at Books for Development (a similar organization that donates books to underdeveloped countries) from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch.
Volunteer Requirement: All participants must register to volunteer no later than April 18 using this registration link. The registration form includes a required liability waiver, warehouse directions, and important information about what to expect during your shift. This also helps the organization accurately track volunteer hours. Unfortunately, unregistered or walk-up volunteers cannot be accommodated at the warehouse.
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Los Angeles
Team Leaders: Kelly O’Donnell Henderson, ’01 & Zachary Fischer, ’24.
What: Volunteers will be doing a beach cleanup in San Pedro.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 9–10:30 a.m.
Where: 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro, CA 90731. Volunteers should meet outside the aquarium.
What to Wear: Volunteers should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: In addition to friends and family, volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, and a water bottle for their personal use during the event.
Age Restriction: Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking & Transportation: Parking is available, free of charge, in an open-air lot next to the aquarium.
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New York
Team Leaders: Brian Rauch, ’01, Charles Riely, ’01 and Sarah Luke, ’06
Who: Broadway Mall Association
What: Volunteers will help with cleaning, pruning and planting the landscaping along Broadway on the Upper West Side.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 2764 Broadway, (Mall at 106 and Broadway), New York, New York 10025
What to Wear: Volunteers will be planting and digging with compost, please dress accordingly and for the weather. Michigan Law spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: Feel free to bring friends and family. BMA will provide gloves, tools, and coffee/snacks for everyone.
Parking and Transportation: Public transportation and/or car pooling is encouraged. 1 train to 103 or 110.
Age Requirement: Volunteers of all skill levels and ages are welcome to participate.
Additional Information: The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch following the activity.
Organization Information: BMA cares for the green malls in the middle of Broadway—from 70th to 168th Street—that offer public park spaces stretching from the Upper West Side to Hamilton Heights, West Harlem, and Washington Heights to thousands of residents, local workers, and visitors each year. BMA deploys staff, volunteers, and local partners to plant, maintain, and tidy these malls, which offer respite to people and birds alike, while also presenting public art exhibitions and community events in these neighborhoods. This year, as part of its Great Green Way project, BMA is revitalizing malls with native, drought-resistant plantings in response to climate change.
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Phoenix
Team Leader: Richard Kovacik, ‘04
Who: We will be volunteering with The Joy Bus at the Sky Crossing Community Center. The Joy Bus is a wonderful local organization providing fresh and healthy meals - and cheer - to local cancer patients.
What: We will be decorating bags and cards to be used in future meal deliveries. We will also learn about The Joy Bus and its impact. This is an arts and crafts activity in a comfortable, air conditioned, and shaded space - and is suitable for all.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where: 22211 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85050. Parking is available onsite. The meeting point is the entrance to the Sky Crossing Community Center. Richard Kovacik is the onsite contact.
What to Wear: Comfortable dress and Michigan spirit wear are encouraged.
What to Bring: A water bottle for your personal use during the volunteer event.
Age Requirements: Volunteers of all ages are welcome.
Additional Information: The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch and soft drinks after the volunteer event. Volunteers are welcome to enjoy lunch while networking.
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San Diego
Team Leaders: Heather Slotnick, ’93 and Virginia Morrison, ’03
Who: Coronado Tidelands Park with I Love A Clean San Diego
What: Volunteers will be volunteering to clean up the beach with the organization “I Love A Clean San Diego.”
When: Saturday, May 2, from 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 2000 Mullinex Dr, Coronado, CA 92118
What to Wear: Dress for the weather and bring a hat, if desired. Michigan spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: Feel free to bring friends and family. Volunteers may bring a water bottle, bug spray, and sunscreen for their personal use during the event.
Age Requirements: Volunteers over the age of 5 are welcome to participate. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking & Transportation: Parking is available on the street. Meet at the park side of Glorietta Blvd & 3rd St. From the 12th & Imperial Transit Center, the 901 bus goes to Pomona Av & 3rd St stop about a 10 minute walk from the clean up site.
Additional Information: Virginia Morrison is the on-site contact.
The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch following the activity.
Organization Information: Founded as the San Diego War Against Litter Committee (WALC) in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) has worked to improve the health and beauty of San Diego for over 70 years.
Today, the nonprofit is on a mission to create zero waste lifestyles and zero litter throughout San Diego County. ILACSD serves about 100,000 students, adults and businesses every year by providing environmental education, volunteer cleanup and beautification programs, and recycling and zero waste solutions. On average, the organization hosts over 900 workshops and produces 600 community cleanups each year. Community cleanups are responsible for clearing nearly half a million pounds of pollution from the region annually. ILACSD is dedicated to empowering every person to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living in order to protect and improve the health of the home we love.
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Washington, DC
Team Leaders: Luke Meier, ’08 and Megan Meier, ’08
Who: We will be volunteering with East Capitol Farm. The University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences operates several food hubs in DC, which afford underserved communities access to fresh produce and other healthy foods. One of these hubs is the East Capitol Urban Farm in Ward 7.
What: We will be pulling weeds, filling raised beds with composted soil and covering the beds with tarps in preparation for the spring growing season. We’ll also be cleaning and tidying the area.
When: Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Where: 5901 East Capitol Street SE, at the corner of East Capitol & Southern Ave. East Capitol Urban Farm is public transportation friendly, located right across from the Capitol Heights metro station. On-street parking is available, but car-pooling is recommended.
What to Wear: Dress for the weather and farm-like work, wearing close-toed shoes. The organization will provide garden gloves. Michigan Law spirit wear is encouraged!
What to Bring: A water bottle for your personal use during the volunteer event.
Additional Information: Volunteers may bring young children. The Office of Development & Alumni Relations will provide a pizza lunch for after the volunteer event.
Next Steps: Participants need to create an account in the volunteer platform UDC Causes. This is free and quick. *Please note that anyone who has previously participated in workdays at East Capitol Farm in past years does not need to create another account.
ALL volunteers need to complete an online UDC liability waiver before they arrive on volunteer day. Please make sure that you mark “Michigan Law Alumni” for the “What group are you volunteering with?” question.
Alumni Service Day FAQs
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What is Alumni Service Day?
The importance of community service is one that has been encouraged for years at Michigan Law. We know that our alumni are also very active in their communities, and Alumni Service Day is organized around a project that can make a difference in a day in their communities. Whether you are planting a community garden; painting a public school; sorting food in a food bank; helping the homeless; rehabbing a home; or cleaning a river, you are sure to have an excellent time while lending a hand to a worthy organization.
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Why isn’t my city or area listed?
We rely on volunteer Team Leaders to coordinate local activities with administration support from our office. If your city is not listed and you are interested in being a Team Leader, please contact us at [email protected] and we will provide you with the necessary information to begin planning a day of service in your area.
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What is involved in being a Team Leader?
Team Leaders have autonomy in selecting and planning their volunteer opportunity provided that they: organize activity for the planned date; avoid religious and political organizations or projects; serve as liaison between the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) and the selected organization; and perform activity with the spirit of Michigan Law and the University in mind. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 734.615.4501.
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Can my family and friends participate?
Most definitely! Alumni Service Day is open to friends and family of our alumni community. These events are a wonderful opportunity to introduce families to community service. In fact, many of our participating locations involve activities that are family friendly and several may be appropriate for young children.
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Why is Alumni Service Day only offered on one date?
We coordinate our event on the same date as the University of Michigan’s Alumni Association day of service. Historically, they have selected their date based on the University’s commencement to build a sense of community with Michigan alumni both on and off campus.
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How are organizations selected for Alumni Service Day?
Selection of organizations comes from suggestions from Team Leaders, past volunteers, and interested alumni. The arrangement between Michigan Law and various service organizations around the country for Alumni Service Day is intended as a one-day partnership to carry out specific functions that benefit the communities where these organizations are based. The selection of these groups, and the volunteer involvement of Michigan Law alumni, does not imply that the Law School approves or sanctions all viewpoints represented by these organizations, nor should these arrangements be construed as such approval.
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Questions?
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 734.615.4501 or at [email protected]