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Jan and Bud Richter Center

Current and Upcoming Events

Get involved with the Richter Center! There are many opportunities to serve your local community below.

Fall 2025 Semester

Students at Community Service Opportunities Fair

August 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM In front of the Kennel Bookstore

The Fall Community Service Opportunities Fair, open to students, faculty and staff, will feature over 65 community and campus agencies sharing volunteer, internship, and job opportunities. Students are able to personally meet with representatives from local community benefit organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities that can assist in fulfilling service-learning requirements. A sampling of agencies that have participated in past events include: American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Central CA Blood Center, Children's Hospital Central California, Fresno Fire Department, and Sierra Foothill Conservancy.

Current Service Opportunities

 

blood drive poster image of donors

Chief David Huerta Memorial Blood Drive

This November, the Fresno State Richter Center and the Central California Blood Center invite you to join our campus-wide blood drive. Our theme—“Locally sourced, locally saved.”—honors the Central Valley farmers who nourish our region, and we are also proud to remember former Fresno State Police Chief David Huerta for his service to our community.

Event Details

● Dates: Tuesday, November 18 through Thursday, November 20
● Locations: RSU 107, Speaker’s Platform, and Memorial Gardens

Perks for Donors

● A free Dutch Bros drink
● An exclusive commemorative sticker

How to Help

● Donate: Use the link below to make your appointment—walk-ins also welcome.
● Spread the word!

Make an Appointment

Who can donate:

  • In good general health
  • Age 18+ and Weight 110 lbs+
  • Bring photo ID

Tip: Hydrate and eat a healthy meal beforehand.

Questions?
Contact Kayla Ferreira at kferreira@csufresno.edu or the Central California Blood Center at 1.559.389.LIFE.

 

blood donor

Become a Blood Center Ambassador
We’re looking for dedicated students, staff, and faculty to help us spread the word. This is a meaningful, low-commitment volunteer opportunity that works with your schedule.

What Do Ambassadors Do?

  • Forward pre-drafted emails to your networks
  • Share social media content created by the Blood Center and Richter Center
  • Help distribute flyers and promote the drives
  • Volunteer if you're available

Want to get creative or more hands-on? Students can also:

  • Design posters and social media graphics
  • Create chalk art around campus
  • Volunteer during blood drives

Sign up below based on your role.

Become a Student Blood Center Ambassador

Become a Faculty/Staff Blood Center Ambassador

 

Jan and Bud Richter

Our center was established on November 13, 2007, thanks to the Richters’ generous $3.5 million pledge. Fittingly, November 13 is also World Kindness Day, a reflection of the guiding principle by which the Richters lived their lives: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.”

Bud Richter passed away in January 2021, leaving an immeasurable impact on Fresno State and the greater community. Through his vision, generosity, and example, he inspired thousands and helped transform both our campus and the city of Fresno.

We now also honor Janiece “Jan” Elaine Richter, a Fresno State alumna and lifelong supporter of the university, who passed away on June 10 of this year. Together, Jan and Bud created a lasting legacy through their commitment to service and their desire to instill in students “a lifelong character trait of giving to the community”.

The Fifth Annual Jan & Bud Richter Week of Service
November 15 - November 22, 2025

The Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning invites you to join us in remembering and honoring the Richters through acts of service during the Week of November 15th –22nd.

Service Opportunities: 

Name of Event: Save the Plants
Duties: Volunteers will assist with work in the cactus garden.
Organization: Fresno Discovery Center
Location: 1944 N Winery Ave
Date/Time: November 15th from 9:00am - 1:00pm
Sign Up Link: https://www.fresnodiscoverycenter.org/volunteer
Other Information: N/A

Name of Event: Central California Food Bank Volunteer Day
Duties: Volunteers will assist with various tasks such as prepackaging bags of food and assisting neighbors with shopping. Volunteers can sign up to help at the Distribution Center, First Fruits Market, Groceries2Go, and Vons.
Organization: Central California Food Bank
Location: 4010 E Amendola Dr, Fresno, CA 93725 (Distribution Center/Groceries2Go) & 2025 E Dakota Ave, Fresno, CA 93726 (First Fruits Market)
Date/Time: November 15th - 22nd (multiple shifts available)
Sign Up Link: https://ccfoodbank.org/home/get-involved/volunteer/
Other Information: N/A

Name of Event: November Volunteer Saturday
Duties: Volunteers will assist with tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, and other seasonal projects that help preserve the garden’s tranquility and charm.
Organization: Shinzen Garden
Location: 114 W Audubon Dr, Fresno, CA 93720
Date/Time: November 15th from 8:30am - 11:30pm
Sign Up Link: https://www.shinzenjapanesegarden.org/event/3rd-saturday-volunteer-day-nov-15-2025/ 
Other Information: Bring closed-toe shoes, gloves, water bottle, and a hat.

Name of Event: Yo'Ville Community Garden & Farm Volunteer Days!
Duties: Volunteers will assist with projects like planting crops, maintaining the orchard, building compost piles, and caring for the food forest.
Organization: Fresno Metropolitan Ministry
Location: 872 W Atchison Ct 
Date/Time: November 18th & 20th from 8:00am - 11:00am
Sign Up Link: Feel free to stop by to join, no registration needed!
Other Information: Participants should bring a jacket, sunhat and water bottle. Be prepared for variable weather and minimal to moderate physical exertion with volunteer tasks.

Name of Event: Fresno State Blood Drive
Duties: Donate blood
Organization: Central CA Blood Center and Richter Center
Location: RSU 107, Speaker’s Platform, and Memorial Gardens
Date/Time: November 18 to 20; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day
Sign Up Link: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/761747254092/false#/invitation 
Other Information: Each blood donation can save up to 3 lives, and only takes about 1 hour of your time!

 

Name of Event: San Joaquin River Conservancy Lanes Property Pollinator Garden Planting Day
Duties: Volunteers will assist with preparing garden bed spaces to plant CA Native Plants.
Organization: Sierra Resource Conservation District
Location: 10637 N Lanes Road
Date/Time: November 15th
Sign Up Link: https://x.gldn.io/e/ODrD4RnaGXb
Other Information: N/A

 

 

 

Spring 2026 Semester

Students volunteering with trash clean up

When: January 28, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Where: The Ballroom of the Resnick Student Union  

When students partner with local community benefit organizations a unique opportunity arises for students to develop a better understanding of the comprehensive needs that exist in the community. These partnerships provide students with valuable learning experiences and community agencies with a valuable pool of potential volunteers, interns, and even employees.

During the Community Service Opportunities Fair students will have the opportunity to learn about volunteer, service-learning, internship and career opportunities offered through area community benefit organizations. 

Current Service Opportunities

 

Fresno State mascot donating blood

 

Benefiting the Central California Blood Center 

The Blood Drives will be held on campus on the below dates at the following locations: RSU 107, Memorial Gardens and the Free Speech Area

  • February 10 - 12, 2026
  • April 28 - 30, 2026

To donate blood you must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old. Photo ID is required at donor registration. Please eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids four hours prior to donation. Donating blood is not painful and takes less than an hour. YOUR donation could save up to three lives!

Get Connected: Become a Blood Center Ambassador! Support campus blood drives by spreading the word and volunteering at the blood drives.

Blood Center Ambassador Interest Form

 

student volunteers with shovels and wheelbarrows

The Fresno State Alternative Break Program has been providing students with opportunities to support the local community since 2001. Student teams work together at a variety of sites throughout the region. There are numerous benefits to participating in the Alternative Break Program, such as:

  • Developing leadership skills through team building, communication, and coordination.
  • Networking with other students and community benefit organizations.
  • Enhancing personal and professional development.
  • Completing 25-30 community service hours.
  • Making a difference in the lives of our community members!

This year's Alternative Spring Break is still under construction, check back for the dates! 

Learn More Here

 

students posing around art of life sign

Spring into Service is back! 


The Richter Center has two amazing one-day service opportunities coming up, and we’d love for you to be a part of them. Whether you’re passionate about helping animals or enjoy working with kids, there’s a meaningful way for you to give back and make a real impact in our Fresno community.

Dates to be Announced!