Coyote Cares Day Leaves Lasting Impact in Coachella Valley

CSUSB’s Coyote Cares Day makes lasting impact in the Coachella Valley

PALM DESERT. – Across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, CSUSB Coyotes demonstrated the power of collective service during Cal State San Bernardino’s annual Coyote Cares Day — a longstanding tradition that reflects the university’s deep-rooted commitment to the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire.

Hosted by CSUSB’s Division of Student Affairs, the day of service on Feb. 28 brought together students, faculty and staff from both the Palm Desert and San Bernardino campuses. Volunteers supported local nonprofit organizations, participated in beautification efforts, and contributed to community-focused projects.

Coyotes from the Palm Desert Campus volunteered at several locations, including:

• Read With Me – Created sticker books and activity bags to brighten the days of children in local hospitals.
• Desert Springs Middle School – Helped with an outdoor campus clean-up to support a welcoming learning environment.
• Whitewater Preserve – Participated in trail clean-up efforts to help preserve beautiful natural spaces.
• Palm Springs Black History Month Parade – Provided community parade support to celebrate culture, history and unity.
• Coyote Nurses of the Desert provided free checkups to unhoused community members in the Coachella Valley.

Coyote Cares Day continues to highlight CSUSB’s dedication to civic engagement and meaningful community partnerships. Beyond the visible impact of each project, the event fostered connections among members of the campus community, uniting them around a shared purpose of giving back.

The spirit of service extended beyond a single day. Leading up to the event, the Division of Student Affairs hosted a book drive from Feb. 2-27 to support local schools, libraries and community programs. Donations of new and gently used books advanced literacy efforts across the region, further underscoring CSUSB’s mission to serve and uplift the local communities.