Starting this Saturday, Sept. 16, BYU football fans around the United States have a chance to give back to their communities and cheer for the Cougars.

For BYU’s inaugural Big 12 season, the BYU Alumni Association is hosting a service project during pre-game tailgate festivities at every road game.

Local alumni chapters are planning and organizing the “Cougs Care” projects in conjunction with local nonprofit groups in Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, West Virginia and Oklahoma through November. The projects will include efforts to collect food, children’s books, bedding, toys and other items for refugees and for children in need.

“BYU alumni are focused on connecting for good no matter where we are,” said Michael Johanson, Alumni Association executive director in a BYU news release. “Cougs Care projects allow our alumni, fans and friends to come together to support the team on the road and make a positive and lasting impact in local communities. We hope everyone attending a road game this fall — and even those who aren’t going to the game — can join us in giving and spreading a spirit of service.”

A book donation drop-off box fills with children’s books at the BYU Alumni pregame tailgate event on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, Oct. 22, 2022.

Nate Edwards, BYU

Something similar was done at every away football game during the 2022 season. An opportunity involving three schools before the BYU-Liberty game in Lynchburg, Virginia, brought in more than 1,500 books for school children. And at the New Mexico Bowl, BYU fans collected more than 2,000 pairs of socks for people in need.

2023 Cougs Care pre-game tailgate projects

Information is below about each Cougs Care service project so far. Updates to the times will be made on the BYU Alumni web page.

Game: BYU @ Arkansas; Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m. CDT

Tailgate time: 3-5 p.m. CDT

Location: Wilson Park, 675 N Park Ave, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701

Fans are invited to bring canned goods or other non-perishable items to the tailgate for a food drive to benefit the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Game: BYU @ Kansas; Sept. 23, 2:30 p.m. CDT

Tailgate time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: Buford M. Watson, Jr. Park, 727 Kentucky St., Lawrence, Kansas, 66044

The midwestern BYU alumni chapters, the BYU Education Society, and the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences are joining together to collect children’s books to be donated to the Lawrence Public Schools Native American Student Services.

Game: BYU @ TCU; Oct. 14, 2:30 p.m. CDT

Tailgate time: 12 p.m.

Location: Trinity Park, 2401 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas, 76107

Fans are invited to bring pillowcases, blankets, sheets and other bedding items for Action Alliance International and World Relief. The bedding will be distributed to local refugee families in need.

Game: BYU @ Texas, Oct. 28, 2:30 p.m. CDT

Tailgate time: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Location: Parker Lane Stake Center, 2111 Parker Lane, Austin, Texas, 78741

The Travis County sheriff is partnering with the local BYU alumni chapters to host a Christmas toy drive for children in need. Fans can bring children’s toys, puzzles and games to the tailgate.

Game: BYU @ West Virginia, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. EDT

Tailgate time: 4-6 p.m.

Location: WVU Alumni Center, 1 Alumni Dr, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506

BYU alumni chapters, the BYU Education Society, and the West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences are collecting children’s books to be used in the WVU Nursery School and the West Virginia United Way chapters.

Game: BYU @ Oklahoma State, Nov. 25, 2:30 p.m. CST

Tailgate time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: Southern Woods Park, 600 W 12^th Ave, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74075

Fans can bring children’s athletic equipment — specifically new footballs, soccer balls, playground balls, frisbees or jump ropes — that will be distributed to the children served by the Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma and the Payne County Youth Services.