Building a new home, cleaning a graveyard and engaging with the elderly are just a few of the ways that University of Central Florida students, alumni, faculty and staff will give back to the community Saturday, Oct. 19.

The day is Knights Give Back, an annual UCF tradition that encourages members of the UCF community to volunteer and make a difference in Central Florida.

Since 2007, UCF volunteers have spent more 16,000 hours working on community service projects through Knights Give Back. During last year’s event, more than 1,000 Knights committed their Saturdays to taking part in various service projects in the area.

Some of this year’s UCF volunteers will:

  • Participate in restoration projects at Oakland Nature Preserve in west Orange County, such as mulching trails, pulling weeds, hauling brush and logs, and raking pine straw.
  • Restore the shoreline and park area of Lake Monroe.
  •  Work with Project Bithlo, which is aimed at supporting the growth of the Bithlo Community Center.
  •  Clean memorials, headstones and grave markers at the Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando.
  •  Work with Habitat for Humanity on the painting and construction of a house in Seminole County.
  •  Decorate, play games and spend time with the residents at Winter Park Towers as part of the nursing home’s annual Fall Festival.
  •  Help Fern Creek Elementary School in Orlando by organizing classrooms, sorting books and school supplies, and beautifying the school’s edible garden.

    • In addition, members of the UCF Alumni Chapter of Chicago will volunteer with the Chicago Parks District. Activities will include planting gardens, mulching trees and other various park improvements.

    For a full list of this year’s Knights Give Back volunteer projects, visit Volunteer UCF.