Big Sunday happily welcomes you to Our Really Big Community Calendar.
We try to include all kinds of volunteering and helping opportunities for all kinds of interests, talents, passions, and ages! As you’ll see, these include volunteering opportunities (one-time and long-term) as well as the chance to support a nonprofit by attending fundraising events. Plus, of course, we include all of Big Sunday’s homegrown events, too! Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there is someone out there who could use your help.
If you have questions about our calendar, or would like to add a listing, please contact calendar@bigsunday.org or submit your event/opportunity via the button below.
ChildHelp Community Resource and Training Center is seeking foster parents in Los Angeles. If you can find room in your heart and home and are interested in learning more about becoming a foster family, please call 1-877-70-CHILD for more information.
Join ChildHelp Community Resource and Training Center for their free parenting classes. Classes are held in English from 1 – 3 pm and in Spanish from 3 – 5 pm. Please RSVP by calling Hector De Paz at 323-301-9433 or hdpaz@childhelp.org or Amber Contreras at323-465-4016 X2007 or acontreras@childhelp.org. NOTE: Classes without RSVPs may be cancelled.

Reading to Kids is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for success in the future. To this end, Reading to Kids gathers on average 847 children and 376 volunteers at reading clubs on the second Saturday of every month at seven Los Angeles elementary schools.
GARDEN NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP SESSION – 2015
Don’t miss the Arboretum’s on-going series “Garden Night Photography Group Session”! Night offers unique photographic opportunities in the garden so come and discover your own creative images! Share your night photography techniques with other photographers. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ‘Painting with Light’ technique, so bring your ‘big gun’ flashlights.
Saturdays:
August 15th from 7:30pm-10:00pm (Introduction to Night Photography)*
September 5th from 7:00pm-9:30pm
October 10th from 7:00pm-9:30pm
*PLEASE NOTE: It is highly recommended that you attend the August 8th “Introduction to Night Photography” class if you have never photographed at night before, AND be sure you have a DSLR or camera that has manual control capabilities, AND please bring camera’s paper manual or pdf on your phone.
Where: Meet outside the Main Entrance – then visit the Arboretum gardens near the Entrance/Rotunda, Peacock Cafe, Bauer Lawn & Fountain areas, Cactus and Succulent Garden and Madagascar Exhibit area.
Who: Frank McDonough, session leader, botanist and photographer
Fee: Per Class – $30 Arboretum members/$35 Non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
LIMIT 12 Photographers – Pre-registration required; Please call the Class Registration line at
626-821-4623; classes are non-refundable.*
*In case of rain, class will be rescheduled in the near future; you may attend the class or obtain a refund.
EQUIPMENT INFORMATION:
You will need:
HEADLAMPS: You need to bring your own headlamp. For safety reasons, if you do not have a headlamp, you will not be permitted to attend. You may purchase inexpensive headlamps at Harbor Freight and Home Depot.
TRIPOD
DSLR CAMERA capable of long exposure time.
LIGHTS: Battery powered high illumination lights/flashlights, laser pointers.
COMFORTABLE SHOES: you will walk and maybe get dirty!
About the Session Leader: Besides doling out plant advice here, Arboretum Botanical Information Consultant Frank McDonough photographs the Arboretum on a regular basis. His work can be seen on the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Facebook page, the Arboretum tumblr site, and throughout the Arboretum’s web site (www.arboretum.org).
Have you been on a Big Sunday cruise yet? They’re awesome! We host big groups of underserved and deserving folks on special cruises through San Pedro Harbor. Many of these nice people have never been on a boat before! We need volunteers to host, be friendly and hand out donuts to guests, enjoy one another and the ride. We call it the We’re All in the Same Boat Project and everyone has exactly one job: to meet one new person. Pretty easy, right? To RSVP, please contact Rob at rob@bigsunday.org or 323-549-9944.
Yoga in the Garden 2015
Instructor Candyce Columbus
Pre-registration required; please call the Class Registration Line at
626-821-4623.
Starting with a warm up stroll, Candyce Columbus, RYT, provides a gentle, stimulating and rejuvenating all-levels traditional hatha yoga practice, enhanced by the idyllic Arboretum. Bring a blanket or towel, your yoga mat and water to sip.
Please meet PROMPTLY 15 minutes before the class in front of Main Entrance, outside of the Membership and programs office.
Tuesday Evenings – Fall (5:30pm – 6:45pm)
- October 6, 13, 20, 27
- November 3, 10, 17, 24
- December 1, 8, 15, 23
Cost for ALL Classes (Tues/Thurs):
- $35 per month – Arboretum members
- $40 per month – non–members
- $15 Drop In – per day
Candyce Columbus, 200-hour E-RYT
Yoga practice has been an integral part of Candyce’s life and well-being for more than 20 years. Since 2009 she has been sharing the knowledge passed on to her from many wonderful teachers. Regardless of fitness or flexibility she believes everyone can benefit from yoga. Her classes are well-balanced, varied, informative and enjoyable. She is dedicated to her students and to helping them lead active, healthy lives.
ChildHelp Community Resource and Training Center is seeking foster parents in Los Angeles. If you can find room in your heart and home and are interested in learning more about becoming a foster family, please call 1-877-70-CHILD for more information.
Join ChildHelp Community Resource and Training Center for their free parenting classes. Classes are held in English from 1 – 3 pm and in Spanish from 3 – 5 pm. Please RSVP by calling Hector De Paz at 323-301-9433 or hdpaz@childhelp.org or Amber Contreras at323-465-4016 X2007 or acontreras@childhelp.org. NOTE: Classes without RSVPs may be cancelled.
Join My Friend's Place on October 15, 2015, as their Cirque team takes to the stage (and air!) at Ending Youth Homelessness: A Benefit For My Friend's Place. Highlighting some of the incredible Cirque du Monde social circus programming at My Friend’s Place, a program supported by Cirque du Soleil, the event will feature world-class entertainment from their talented aerialists and acrobats.
This year, My Friend's Place is thrilled to announce a special performance from the world-renowned Steben Twins. For one night only, Karyne and Sarah Steben will bring their incredible aerial act to the Taglyan for a breath-taking performance you do not want to miss! Check out video from the Steben Twins by clicking here. Tickets purchase, sponsorship opportunities and additional information can be found on our event website by clicking here. For additional information, contact Susan Zeren Dutra, Director of Development, at 323-908-0011 x110 or sdutra@myfriendsplace.org.





