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.
Basketball coaches needed for ages 5-17. Some coaching experience preferred. Must obtain volunteer application and get fingerprinted by Dept. of Rec & Parks before coaching. Fingerprinting clearance is free. Please note this is an ongoing opportunity. For more info, please contact Javier Moreno.
Venice Community Housing has a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from regular on-going projects to one-time experiences. For more info on VCH’s current volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.vchcorp.org/volunteer/.
For all opportunities, volunteers must be over 18 and complete a background check, unless offering an approved one-time service. Tutors are required to hold a B.A (A.A will be considered). Regular availability and experience with mentoring low-income youth preferred.
To get involved with VCH, please complete a Volunteer Application and contact Paola Fontana at pfontana@vchcorp.org.
Please note: These activities are ONGOING.
Friends of the Family (FOF) is seeking volunteers for their LA2050-funded Man2Man Project. Are you an adult male over 30 who would like to have a positive impact on a young man’s life as he strives to step up to fatherhood? Ideal volunteers would reside in the LA Metro area, be fathers themselves (not mandatory), be well established in their lives and careers, and be able to commit to 6 – 8 hours per month during 2017 to mentor a participant in FOF’s Young Dads program. All activities and mentor coaching will be coordinated by the agency. The M2M Program develops vibrant communities by supporting two generations, young fathers and their children, through quality mentoring relationships and by building social networks of adults committed to making life better for future generations. If you have wisdom to share and support to provide, please contact FOF. For more information, please contact Brenda Hillhouse, Director of Development, at 818-988-4430 or brenda@fofca.org.
Basketball coaches needed for ages 5-17. Some coaching experience preferred. Must obtain volunteer application and get fingerprinted by Dept. of Rec & Parks before coaching. Fingerprinting clearance is free. Please note this is an ongoing opportunity. For more info, please contact Javier Moreno.
SeniorServ provides services to over 1,000 frail, isolated, homebound older adults daily who are in need of companionship. Many homebound elders are lonely and do not or cannot reach out to others.
If you find joy in making a difference and enjoy listening or talking, friendly visiting is the right volunteer opportunity for you. Volunteers visit in the home of the older adult and offer warmth, friendship and understanding to make life more meaningful.
Volunteers play an important part in the elders' well-being by helping to restore feelings of self worth, dignity and promoting independence. Volunteers are needed throughout Central, North and West Orange County. Families are encouraged to volunteer.
Requirements
Volunteers will need a California Driver's License and proof of automobile insurance, or have a legal guardian who can provide the above mentioned items.
Before being matched with a senior, the volunteer completes a background check, necessary paperwork, and meets with the Volunteer Manager for an interview and brief training.
For more information, please contact Linda Molthen, Volunteer Coordinator, at lmolthen@seniorserv.org or 714-229-3377. Visit http://www.communityseniorserv.com/get-involved/friendly-visitor.html for more details.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly event.
Friends of the Family (FOF) is seeking volunteers for their LA2050-funded Man2Man Project. Are you an adult male over 30 who would like to have a positive impact on a young man’s life as he strives to step up to fatherhood? Ideal volunteers would reside in the LA Metro area, be fathers themselves (not mandatory), be well established in their lives and careers, and be able to commit to 6 – 8 hours per month during 2017 to mentor a participant in FOF’s Young Dads program. All activities and mentor coaching will be coordinated by the agency. The M2M Program develops vibrant communities by supporting two generations, young fathers and their children, through quality mentoring relationships and by building social networks of adults committed to making life better for future generations. If you have wisdom to share and support to provide, please contact FOF. For more information, please contact Brenda Hillhouse, Director of Development, at 818-988-4430 or brenda@fofca.org.
Currently, the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission provides emergency services consisting of hot meals, food items to go, clean clothes, new undergarments and socks, hygiene kits, blankets and referrals at 6425 Tyrone Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401 weekly (Monday through Friday from 12 – 1pm). Mail and veterinary services and a computer lab are all available for clients' use 9:00 am – 1:00 pm; lunch is served at 12:15 pm. The Mission has provided nearly 207,000 hot meals, 230 referrals to shelters and 61,000 nights of shelter, 49,000 showers, 20,000 articles of clothing and 6,500 hygiene packets within 24 months of operation. Volunteer today to help serve a hot meal to someone in need! For more info, please contact Laurie Craft at 818-804-5507, ext. 1002 or laurie@hopeofthevalley.org.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunity!
Fresh: Celebrating The Table
Cooking Class at the Arboretum
Executive Chef Steven Mary
Reservations required; please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623
Chef Mary was drawn into the culinary arts while staging at Bistro 45 in Pasadena and subsequently attended Le Cordon Blue. His early experiences at Parkway Grill offered an opportunity to cook from the garden, literally, as he paired with local horticulturist and composed daily specials while standing among the fresh herbs and vegetables growing on the property.
His relationship with this garden curator spawned a passion that has grown into a partnership with the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for more than a decade, teaching various classes on cooking from the garden to children and adults alike.
In between all of his Arboretum volunteering, he has also been a chef at the Ritz Carlton/Langham Hotel, Executive Chef of Pinot Bistro in the valley, Executive Chef of CATAL in Downtown Disney and True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach and Pasadena.
Currently, Chef Mary is catering and cooking for the local community, keeping a garden at home and enjoying the opportunity to pick fresh vegetables and herbs with his wife and two young children.
Menu
- Kale and Roasted Beet Salad, with Dates, Mint, Pepitas, and Horseradish Vinaigrette
- Braised Beef Short Ribs with Mushroom-Farro, Parsnip Puree, and Natural Jus
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Butterscotch-Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
There are countless ways to volunteer and make an impact in someone's life at LA Family Housing (LAFH). Below are just a few examples!
Dining Hall: Interested in an opportunity that includes more interaction with clients? Work alongside LAFH’s fabulous kitchen staff to prepare a meal and visit with individual residents in Bridge Housing as they dine. Volunteer individually or groups up to 20 can be accommodated.
Donation Sorting: Are you a natural organizer? Do you like hands-on work? LAFH receives a wide array of in-kind donations such as household items, personal care products, and clothing. Help their staff in organizing and sorting these donations. This is a great team-building opportunity for groups!
Welcome Desk: Are you friendly and helpful? Assist LAFH’s busy staff in fielding resident questions at Bridge Housing for individuals. Individual opportunity. Training and regular commitment required.
Office Support: Are your closets meticulously organized? LAFH wants your help to sort, file, label, and perform other fun organizing tasks that involve reams of paper and electronic data.
Share your Talent: Do you have a talent or skill that you would like to share with LAFH residents? They would love to learn it! Recent activities include filmmaking and journalism workshops, singing lessons, sewing and cooking instruction, sports club and dance classes.
To schedule a tour or learn more about any LAFH volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@lafh.org or 818-255-2775.
NOTE: There are ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunities!
Instructor: Master Arnold Chien
Tai Chi is a martial art based on the theory of an ancient classic called “I Ching”. Kinetic Tai Chi is created by Master Chien based on this foundation coupling with contemporary Physics of potential & kinetic energy. The training sessions include striking, throwing & submission techniques. There are 10 levels of form to advance. Combining this advanced physical routine with Tai Chi’s rich thinking, students will benefit lifelong health, achieve mental superiority and enjoy high level combat skills.
Thursdays
9:00am-10:30am
Winter 1st: 1/26, 2/02, 2/09, 2/16
Winter 2nd: 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16
Spring 1st: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/04
Spring 2nd: 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/01
Cost for Classes:
- $35 per month – members
- $45 per month – non–members
- $15 Drop In – per day
- 10% discount if you sign up for 2 sessions
Pre-registration preferred; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Grandmaster Arnold Chien is the founder of Kinetic Tai Chi, 2012 & 2014 Kungfu master at USC Pacific Asia Museum & 2008 Chinese idol in martial art category. In 2013, he became the first instructor to teach Tai Chi at the legendary Gold’s Gym Arcadia, CA. Chien’s heavy focus on the principle of softness to conquer hardness has helped students to achieve not only the physical limitations, but their mental ones as well, thereby reach the ultimate level of “soft as silk and hard as steel”.
