Community Service
Community Service
Welcome to the Notre Dame Club of Orange County Community Service Page! As a non-profit organization representing the University of Notre Dame in Orange County, we strive to continue the endeavors of the University while contibuting to our community locally. Over 80% of Notre Dame students participate in some kind of community service while on campus, making Notre Dame one of the most active community service campuses in the nation. We want to continue that trend with Notre Dame alumni and friends back here in Orange County.

The ND Club of Orange County also sponsors several current Notre Dame students each year who spend a good amount of their summer in Orange County at local charities. For more information on this program, please see our Summer Service Student Page.
Quick Links:
  • Faley Games
  • Breakfast Club
  • Senior Alumni Service
  • Volunteer!
  • ND Club members participating in local community service events
    Fightin' Irish for a Cure Team

    Anyone is welcome to participate in our community service events. Our Club activities include events such as volunteering at the Kathleen E. Faley Memorial Special Games in Fullerton and assisting each week at the Southwest Community Center serving breakfast. We also form teams to participate in other local charity fundraisers. For our members 55 and older, we have a special group that organizes additional events. Please see the notes below for more information on all of these things.

    Our annual ND Club Golf event raises money to support our Club community service endeavors, so please make an effort to contribute to that event each year. Even if you do not golf, you can donate items for the silent auction, come to just the dinner, or help us find tee sponsors to contribute to the event.

    Do you have ideas for other local charitable endeavors that you think the ND Club of Orange County should consider supporting? Please let us know! You can submit your ideas on our online feedback form now! We will review the idea and get back to you.

    Our current Community Service coordinator is Kristina Jodis '89. You can always contact us at service@ndcoc.com for more information or to participate in our events.

    Back to Top

    Faley Games (May 7, 2010)
    One of the annual events for the ND Club of Orange County is participation in the Kathleen E. Faley Games at Cal State University Fullerton. The initial Games began in 1986 and were dedicated to Fullerton alumna Kathleen E. Faley, a founding planning committee member who died in an auto accident. With over 2,800 developmentally-disabled students and 2,500 volunteers expected to participate this year, the Faley Games is the largest event of its kind in Orange County . They participate in noncompetitive athletic events including football, basketball, soccer, obstacle courses and fifty-yard dashes. With the assistance of high school volunteers, our Club once again will coordinate the activities at each site, spending memorable time with each of the participating athletes. This is our Club’s seventh year of involvement in the Faley Games and we extend a special invitation to our members who have never attended.

    We typically meet between 8:00-8:15am at the Registration Booth on the soccer practice field north of the main gym. Free parking is available at the adjoining parking lot with entrance on State College Blvd. We invite our NDCOC members to attend this truly inspiring event that grows in popularity every year. The ND Club will add an extra $25 contribution to the Faley Games for each member who attends.

    Anyone interested in participating in this event should contact us at service@ndcoc.com.

    Back to Top

    Senior Alumni Service Team
    Notre Dame Senior Alumni, a relatively young organization for the not-so-young in years, was created for Notre Dame alumni and friends who have reached a stage in life when the demands of work and family have become less consuming, and who now have the time to pursue new and fulfilling opportunities to serve others. Such service is in the tradition of volunteering that has characterized Notre Dame students and alumni. The Orange County Club has initiated a Senior Alumni organization to serve the needs of the community, and to enrich the lives of those club members 55 and older.

    "Volunteering adds years to your life and life to your years."

    We have contacted a number of local agencies.all of which need volunteers to help with mentoring young people, tutoring, helping with budgeting, financial planning. The Orange Coast InterFaith Shelter in Costa Mesa has immediate needs for volunteers to help young people. Nearly half the homeless people in Orange County are children.

    The Diocese of Orange and a number of parishes have programs to help deserving young students qualify for admission to Notre Dame and other top schools. For many of these students, a mentor would mean the difference. Commitments can be made to suit the availability of those volunteering - on-going, short term, or a one-time event.

    If you're interested in volunteering, contact us at service@ndcoc.com.

    Back to Top

    The Breakfast Club
    The Breakfast Club is a group of people who come together to help serve breakfast to needy and homeless at the Southwest Community Center in Santa Ana. Due to a tragic fire that affected the facilities at the Southwest Community Center, the services will temporarily be performed at the Masonic Lodge at 1503 West 5th Street in Santa Ana. We meet every Sunday morning from 7:30am - 9:00am.

    If you would like to help cook, serve, wash dishes, or whatever, please call Ed Graham at (714) 838-5583 (h) or (714) 633-8544 (w).

    This is an incredibly rewarding experience, and one that the Notre Dame Club of Orange County has supported for years. Please find some time in your schedule to come by one Sunday morning and help out. You won't regret it!

    Back to Top

    Become More Active in Community Service!
    If there is an event or a local program that you think the ND Club of Orange County should consider supporting, please contact us at service@ndcoc.com. While we cannot get involved in all of the local charities and service projects that we would like to, we are always open to hearing of new ways to help improve our community.

    Back to Top