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.

Big Sunday Event Giving Opportunity! One-time Volunteer Opportunity Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Feb
27
Mon
Be a Mentor: Youth Policy Institute @ Please contact Leah for more details.
Feb 27 all-day

Need an internship? Want to strengthen your resumé? Are you working or retired and want to share your knowledge and wisdom with someone? Youth Policy Institute is looking for volunteers to commit to a 6-month mentoring program to engage and make a difference in the lives of youth. Participants will mentor at-risk youth between the ages of 16-24.  Please note: there is a training requirement for all participants.

Types of Mentors

  • College and Career
  • Group mentoring
  • One-on-one

Rewards

  • Experience
  • Trainings
  • Field Trips/Outings
  • Personal fullfilment

To apply, please visit http://bit.ly/mentorinterestform.

For more info, please contact Mentor Coordinator Leah Hirst at ysedvolunteers@ypiusa.org or 323-978-1027.

Feb
28
Tue
SPY Volunteer Advocacy Program @ Please contact Michelle for location details.
Feb 28 – Mar 1 all-day

Safe Place for Youth needs your voice in the community to advocate for SPY youth! Right now, LA is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, and SPY is working with partner agencies, public officials, funders and local businesses to ensure that housing and wrap-around services are available for their young people to exit the streets, but they can't do this without your help!

SPY is looking for volunteers to join their Advocacy Program to be the voice for SPY youth in the Westside community. If you are interested in joining this effort, please contact Michelle at michelled@safeplaceforyouth.org.SPY logo

Volunteer: Venice Community Housing @ Please contact VCH for address details.
Feb 28 – Mar 1 all-day

Venice Community Housing logoVenice 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.

Mar
1
Wed
Friendly Visiting Volunteer: SeniorServ @ Central, North and West Orange County, CA
Mar 1 – Mar 2 all-day

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.
 

SPY Volunteer Advocacy Program @ Please contact Michelle for location details.
Mar 1 – Mar 2 all-day

Safe Place for Youth needs your voice in the community to advocate for SPY youth! Right now, LA is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, and SPY is working with partner agencies, public officials, funders and local businesses to ensure that housing and wrap-around services are available for their young people to exit the streets, but they can't do this without your help!

SPY is looking for volunteers to join their Advocacy Program to be the voice for SPY youth in the Westside community. If you are interested in joining this effort, please contact Michelle at michelled@safeplaceforyouth.org.SPY logo

Volunteer: Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission @ Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission
Mar 1 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission logoCurrently, 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!

Mar
2
Thu
Volunteer: LA Family Housing @ Please contact LA Family Housing for address details.
Mar 2 – Mar 3 all-day

LA Family HousingThere 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!

LA’s Social Impact Breakfast @ Mount Saint Mary’s University – Doheny Campus
Mar 2 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Mt. St. Mary’s College.  Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact.  For more info or to register for the event, please click HERE.Social Impact Breakfast Mar. 2, 2017

Tai Chi @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Mar 2 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

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”.

What’s Happening in Gardening @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Mar 2 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

What's Happening in Gardening
Hosted by Matt-Dell & Rebecca Tufenkian

8 Thursday Classes 
9:30am – 12:00pm; $140 for the series; $25 per class

To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623 or pay at the door

These classes are designed to help you keep up with garden news, trends, tips and pests. Each class begins with an open discussion and plant giveaway, followed by a lecture or hands-on workshop from one of the following speakers:

 

 

 

January 12: Matt Tufenkian, Propagating Pelargoniums from Cuttings 

Ever wanted to learn more about growing your own easy-care, great-smelling, and beautiful drought-tolerant plants? Now is your chance. Join Matt-Dell as he teaches us how to start our own baby plants from seeds and cuttings.

 

January 19: Lili Singer, Hum on In! Gardening with Our Tiniest Birds

Few creatures are more beloved and admired than hummingbirds, and many species spend all or part of the year in this region. This illustrated lecture discusses how to create, plant and maintain a garden that attracts and supports these little avian wonders year round.

 

January 26: Jo O’Connell, Australian Native Plants

Celebrate Australia Day with Australian Native Plants! Jo O’Connell will share her plant knowledge with us and bring some of her plants to show and sell. Her nursery, Australian Native Plants, was established in the early 1990’s, with the help of her husband, Byron Cox. From the beginning, their vision was to provide plants that are hardy, drought tolerant, cut flower producing, and bird attracting. www.australianplants.com

 

February 2: January Nordman, The Nature of Permaculture; Building Gardens & Community

What would our lives look like if we could weave vibrant habitats throughout our sprawling metropolitan landscape? How do we begin to heal a world that is at odds with itself? Permaculture offers some possible solutions to these questions, as well as a challenge to how we can lead more fulfilling, authenticate lives as we confront the unknown of our current climate of chaos.

 

February 9: Rebecca Tufenkian, Gardens of Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown LA is often thought of as being a cement jungle, but more often than not it is spotted with beautiful gardens and green spaces. Join us on a virtual tour of Downtown Los Angeles, and enjoy the gardens without the blisters and shinsplints.

 

February 16: Brandon Walker, Irrigation Overview

Now is the time re-think your irrigation system. This class will cover different methods of irrigation, including drip vs. spray, as well as ways to work with the new municipal watering restrictions. Brandon Walker is Co-Owner/Operator at J. Harold Mitchell Supply. He brings with him a lifetime of experience working in professional irrigation. www.jhmsupply.com

 

February 23: Susan Eubank, Working with Your Climate: Arboretum Library Resources for Better Gardening

The Arboretum Library is filled with materials about plants and gardens. Susan Eubank, Arboretum Librarian, will show you the best ones to make you a better gardener wherever you live and no matter how much rain comes out of the sky. Susan Eubank has worked in three climates in three botanic garden libraries for almost twenty years and she’s eager to have you dive into the depths of the Library.

 

March 2: Edwina Pellikka, A History of Plant Based Fabrics & Plant Based Dyes

Edwina Pellikka is a Master Dyer and owner of A Dyeing Art, a high-end textile art studio. She has worked with LucasFilm for a 9-month stint dyeing fabric, hand airbrushing, and aging all the monsters for his third film in the Star Wars series, “Return of the Jedi”, which afforded her the opportunity to open A Dyeing Art in Los Angeles, catering to clients from Film & Television and Live Performances to Interior Design Furnishings & High End Fashion. Her company serves clients in America, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere around the globe.

How it Works

You can SEARCH by scrolling through the Months or by selecting different Categories or Tag functions. For a totally different view, try the Posterboard or Stream options! Feel free to submit an item for the calendar by clicking the “Submit Your Event / Opportunity” button above at the right-hand side of the page. Questions? Email calendar@bigsunday.org.