Families: Can we get a high five for being a test takin’ Tar Heel? Join us as a Heel Helper family volunteer for one of our High Fives of Heels events! Each semester, families and supporters are invited to campus to share encouragement, study snacks and high fives with students ahead of major exam periods. If you are unable to make it in person — no worries! We encourage you, if able, to make snack donations.
Students: We would love to see you there! Stop by for free snacks, encouragement from your Carolina community and information on wellness resources at Carolina.
This event is co-sponsored by the Carolina Parents Council.
Save the Date: Friday, October 2
High Fives for Heels takes place each semester. The Fall 2026 event will be on Friday, October 2, 2026!
Event Details
Families, ready to join us as a Heel Helper? Here is how you can!
- Sign-up as a volunteer. Volunteer spots are open on a first come, first serve basis. We do our best to offer as many spots as possible. Use this SignUp form (link coming early Fall 2026) to register as an on-site volunteer.
- Donate a snack (or two). Our goal is to pass out as many snacks as possible to support as many students as possible. If you are able, please consider making a snack donation. Use this Amazon Wishlist (link coming early Fall 2026) to donate snacks. Ordering from this list will allow items to be shipped directly to our office.
- Attend our virtual volunteer training. Join our staff for a brief training via Zoom to learn more about our volunteer shifts. Can’t make it? No worries. A recording will be shared via email.
- Get your best high five ready! On the day of the event, arrive to campus 5-10 minutes ahead of your shift time, check in with our staff, grab your official Heel Helper shirt (returning volunteers should wear the one they received previously), and get ready to high five our Heels! Lunch will be provided for all volunteers.
Other Ways to Support
If you cannot make it to a High Fives for Heels event and are looking for other ways to support our Carolina community, consider making donations to the following funds.
The Carolina Parents Fund
As one of the country’s premier universities, Carolina continues to regard parent and family support as a crucial piece of student success. Your gift allows our office and Student Affairs to provide a number of resources and opportunities to our students and families that foster student success and learning.
The Heels Care Network
The Heels Care Network is an integrated health and well-being response effort designed to reinforce Carolina’s long-term commitment to the overall mental health of our campus.
This initiative brings together what we hear from our students. They need on-demand, collaborative, cross-campus health, well-being, and resilience support that coordinates existing resources with creative new approaches, ultimately leading to a culture of compassion and care.
The Basic Needs Fund
Basic needs refers to the essential goods, utilities, services, or resources required on a regular basis that are needed to achieve and maintain physical and mental well-being. At the core, these include food security, housing security, and financial stability. The Basic Needs Fund provides support to ensure that all students have access to the resources needed to focus on their education and success at Carolina. Programs within this initiative take a holistic approach to student success, both inside and outside of the classroom, from financial literacy and education, housing and food security, to providing mini grants in times of emergency.
