South Florida State College (SFSC) is excited to add more opportunities to the 2026–2027 SFSC Gives Back initiative! SFSC employees are stepping out from our four campuses as one TEAM—because Together Everyone Achieves More—to make a meaningful difference in the communities where we live, work, and serve.

At SFSC, our impact extends far beyond the classroom. While we are committed to educating and preparing tomorrow’s workforce, we also have the opportunity to strengthen our communities through service. Whether volunteering our time, sharing our talents, supporting local organizations, or performing simple acts of kindness, each of us can create lasting change.

This year, SFSC Gives Back is uniting our faculty and staff around volunteer opportunities that address local needs across our tri-county region. With a variety of projects available, everyone can find a meaningful way to participate, regardless of their interests, skills, or schedule. Whether you choose to volunteer once or throughout the year, every act of service makes a difference.

Imagine the collective impact we can make when hundreds of SFSC employees come together for a common purpose. Together, we’ll strengthen our communities, build new connections with colleagues across campuses and departments, and experience the personal rewards that come from serving others. Research consistently shows that volunteering improves physical and mental well-being, fosters a greater sense of purpose, and creates stronger, more connected communities.

Through SFSC Gives Back, we will demonstrate what Panther Pride looks like—not only on our campuses, but throughout Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties. Together, we will show our communities that the SFSC TEAM is committed to making a difference wherever we are called to serve.

Employee Eligibility

• All SFSC employees are welcome to participate in SFSC Gives Back.
• Both exempt and non-exempt employees are eligible to volunteer.
• Volunteer activities may take place during normal work hours, provided participation is approved by your supervisor and does not interfere with the operational needs of the College.
• Participation in SFSC Gives Back does not require employees to use personal leave or sick leave.

Fall Arcadia Rodeo

Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, 2:30-8:30 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Greet guests and scan tickets. You will receive breaks to be able to enjoy the rodeo at times. This is a covered outdoor activity and you will be standing.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Fall Arcadia Rodeo – Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, 2:30-8 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity Highlands County

Date: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• ReStore Crew – Indoor activity assisting with restocking shelves, pricing products, and/or organizing
• Onsite Construction Crew – Assist with onsite construction of the home, which can include anything from handiwork, painting, hammering, digging, etc.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Habitat for Humanity Highlands County – Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

Gator Wilderness Camp

Date: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Outdoor physical activities, including but not limited to planting, raking, weeding, painting, and pressure washing. Moderate to heavy physical activity.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Gator Wilderness Camp – Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Serve Our Veterans (NEW)

Date: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, 8-10 a.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• We will be providing and serving our veterans breakfast (about eight individuals) and socializing with them; time to spend and thank our veterans while they visit Heartland Horses Equine Activities & Learning
• If you are not able to participate in the breakfast service and not able to donate for it, PLEASE stop by and sign the THANK YOU posters located in the SFSC Foundation Office
• Please note: This volunteer activity is requiring our volunteers to provide the food and drinks to serve our veterans, so we will be volunteering our time and donating goods
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Veterans Service – Nov. 6, 2026 @ – Fill out form

Central Florida Healthcare Food Distribution (Hardee) (NEW)

Date: Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, 8-11:30 a.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Unloading, organizing, and preparing food for distribution line
• Package and deliver food to the distribution car line
• Sign up:  SFSC Gives Back – Central Florida Healthcare Food Distribution – Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, 8-11:30 a.m.

Lights of Remembrance at Good Shepherd Hospice

Date: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, 3-8 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Assist with preparations and setup for a candlelight celebration for lost loved ones.
• Tasks can include, but are not limited to, outside setting up chairs and tables, directing traffic for parking in the lot, manning the tables for sign-in sheets and tables for people to write names of loved ones on Christmas ornaments.
• Indoor tasks could include serving cookies and snacks.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Good Shepherd Hospice – Lights of Remembrance – Thursday, Dec. 3, 3-8 p.m.

Cuda Bear’s Lair

Date: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027, 8 a.m.-noon

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Outdoor activity – Animal care and property maintenance to ensure a healthy and safe place for the animal sanctuary.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Cuda Bear’s Lair – Thurs., Jan. 28, 2027, 8 a.m.-noon.

Ridge Area ARC

Date: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2027, 7:45-11:35 a.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Setup Crew – Set up water stations, snack stations, field day activities, tents, and make signs to cheer on the consumers
• Field Event Activity – Assist and cheer on the consumers as they rotate through and participate in Field Day Activities
• Clean-up Crew – Clean up water stations, snack stations, field day activities, tents, and other areas
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Ridge Area ARC – Thursday, Feb. 4, 2027, 7:45-11:35 a.m.

Central Florida Healthcare Food Distribution (Hardee) (NEW)

Date: Monday, Feb. 22, 2027, 8-11:30 a.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Unloading, organizing, and preparing food for distribution line
• Package and deliver food to the distribution car line
• Sign up:  SFSC Gives Back – Central Florida Healthcare Food Distribution, Monday, Feb. 22, 2027, 8-11:30 a.m.

Read Across America 

Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2027 (various times and schools)

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Lake Placid Elementary School, 9:10-10:30 a.m. – one volunteer needed. School provides book
• Other Elementary schools coming soon…
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Read Across America (various times and locations)

Spring Arcadia Rodeo 

Date: Thursday, March 11, 2027, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Greet guests and scan tickets. You will receive breaks to be able to enjoy the rodeo at times. This is a covered outdoor activity and you will be standing.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Spring Arcadia Rodeo – Thursday, March 11, 2027, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Hands for Hope 

Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2027, and Thursday, April 8, 2027, 8 a.m.-noon

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Kitchen: Prepare and cook meals to serve. Prepare and package meals and serve clients.
• Restore: organize and clean items for the store sale.
• Sign up: SFSC Gives Back – Hands for Homeless – April 7-8, 2026, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Stay tuned for other scheduled volunteer activities.

SFSC encourages its employees to be part of the SFSC TEAM and join one or all of these volunteer opportunities as we make a positive impact on our communities beyond higher education by taking our TEAM off campus to give back.