ASCE OC Community Service: LBACS Pet Literacy Event & Clothes the Deal Professional Clothing Drive

LBACS Pet Literacy

The pet literacy event took place on April 4th, 2026 at the Long Beach Animal Care services facility. Volunteers got to read to all the dogs in the shelter a variety of stories, from Charlotte's web to even a book 'written by a dog'! It was a great opportunity to keep the animals company throughout their day and help some of the dogs who are shy around people more acquainted with visitors, who are looking for a pet. The dogs enjoyed learning to read almost as much as we loved teaching them. There was a also a bunny shelter on site, where we could read so more furry friends and enjoy their adorable company. Thank you to the LBACS team for allowing us to visit and thank you to the volunteers for joining us! We hope to be back again, and for all animals to find their FURever homes!

Clothes the Deal: Professional Clothing Drive

On Wednesday, May 6th, ASCE OC Branch hosted its annual awards ceremony at the Charleston in Fullerton, CA. The event brings together civil engineering professionals from all throughout Orange County to celebrate the projects and individual achievements of the past year. The community service committee hosted a clothing drive at the event, collecting professional clothing donations and providing raffle tickets as a thank you. All donations will benefit the non profit, Clothes the Deal, which helps low-income men, women, and youth in our community reach toward economic independence. With drives like this, we are helping people get back to work with dignity. Thank you so much to everyone who donated! It goes a long way to impact those in Orange County and beyond.

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About the Author:

Brisa Bernal is a current Civil Engineering graduate student at California State University, Fullerton. She works at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, in a geotechnical engineering group. Brisa is passionate about sustainability and empowering the next generation to pursue engineering. In her free time, she can be found traveling or running. Brisa can be reached at birsarosabernal@gmail.com.