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.
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!
The Westside Coalition is in search of a few hardworking volunteers to pitch in on their May 19 Lawn Bowlathon. Duties will include assistance with bowling, games, parking, registration, etc.
The Westside Coalition is an alliance of 45 organizations, public agencies and faith communities addressing issues of housing, hunger and health through service coordination, public education and advocacy.
The Bowlathon is one of two annual fundraisers the Coalition hosts to support its work and the work of the Coalition’s member agencies.
Two volunteers shifts are available:
- Shift 1: 10 am – 3 pm
- Shift 2: 3 pm – 8 pm
Become a volunteer for Meals on Wheels West (MOW) Los Angeles and help deliver meals between 10:15 am and 12:30 pm any Monday – Friday! Student volunteers are always welcome at MOW. Younger students can help with various tasks in MOW’s office or be paired with one of their regular drivers or with a parent to help deliver food to clients. High school and college students who already are licensed drivers are especially appreciated as reinforcements to MOW’s regular corps of volunteers. MOW is happy to record your community service hours and send that information to your school.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunity!
The Westside Coalition is in search of a few hardworking volunteers to pitch in on their May 19 Lawn Bowlathon. Duties will include assistance with bowling, games, parking, registration, etc.
The Westside Coalition is an alliance of 45 organizations, public agencies and faith communities addressing issues of housing, hunger and health through service coordination, public education and advocacy.
The Bowlathon is one of two annual fundraisers the Coalition hosts to support its work and the work of the Coalition’s member agencies.
Two volunteers shifts are available:
- Shift 1: 10 am – 3 pm
- Shift 2: 3 pm – 8 pm
STEWARDS AND JR. STEWARDS HABITAT RESTORATION
The Bolsa Chica Land Trust Stewards and Jr. Stewards meet twice each month – the first Sunday and third Saturday – to restore native habitat at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Take part at 9 am (till noon). Meet at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve North Parking Lot (3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA).
Come plant and water native plants, remove non-native plants, pick up trash and other maintenance tasks. Help the Bolsa Chica Land Trust heal our local environment! Please “dress for mess” with long pants and closed toe shoes (like sneakers) and plenty of sunscreen. That’s it! You’ll be taken care of from there with plenty of instructions, tools and equipment, information about the ecosystem, and water and snacks. All are welcome, but please note, there is limited access for those with physical disabilities. For groups of 25 or more, please call ahead to 714-846-1001 or email Erin@bclandtrust.org extra equipment & snacks can be provided. Volunt
eer slips are available for school credit.
Cowan Avenue Elementary is looking for volunteers who would like to commit several hours to come to the school to weed, plant, paint, clean up trash and beautify the buildings and surrounding areas. If you’d like to help, please contact Mona Ryan at cowan.bigsunday@gmail.com.
2017 Orientation Dates
May 20, 9am
July 22, 9am
September 23, 9am
November 18, 9am
Signup links for orientations are posted on this page three weeks prior to the orientation date.
Adult Volunteer
The Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS) is a 100% volunteer-run organization looking for committed volunteers who are able to provide basic care for the animals and assist with adoptions as well as participate in and run their various programs.
Volunteer Requirements
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must commit to volunteer 8 hours per month.
- You must commit to volunteering for a minimum of one year.
Orientation
- Orientation occurs every other month.
- Please allow 60-90 minutes for the orientation.
- During Orientation they will cover general Shelter duties, event committees, VBAS requirements, training, KFP, take a tour and Q&A.
- Orientation is on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 30 people to sign up will be able to attend Orientation. If you miss this, you will have to wait and attend the NEXT Orientation posted date.
- Sign up for the March 25th orientation session to sign up for the next orientation session starting March 4th.
Volunteer Application Process
- Applications are available at http://thevbas.org/volunteer for one week after each orientation.
- Upon receipt of your application you will be given a list of Volunteers with their schedules and observe them at the Shelter at least 2 times.
- You will then be move on and be interviewed by a VBAS member.
- You will then go through LiveScan and a minimal background check as required by the City of Burbank.
- Please note: completion of any or all of the above steps does not automatically constitute acceptance as a VBAS volunteer. Upon approval from both the VBAS and the Burbank Police Department, your badge will be available and you will be contacted to schedule your first training session.
- Please allow approximately 3-6 months to complete this application process.
Don’t miss the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary’s 2017 “Weed Warriors” Saturday Volunteer Days! Weeds can alter habitats and have negative effects on wildlife. Volunteers help remove periwinkle, English ivy, and English plantain using non-chemical methods.
No experience necessary; training and tools provided. Please wear clothes that can get dirty, long pants, close-toed shoes and layers for changing weather. Bring snacks and a picnic lunch, if you wish. A personal water bottle, a hat and sunscreen are strongly recommended.
Adults and children ages 8 and older are welcome. Children under 13 must be accompanied by adults. It fulfills community service requirements
Please sign up via the link: https://goo.gl/forms/hOcNhQmHFzXUHdHm2
For more info, please email jrosales@audubo.org.
Schedule
January 21; February 11 & 25; March 11 & 25; April 8, 15, & 29 (1:30pm – 4:30pm); May 13 & 20
9am – 12:30 pm each date (*except April)
Beginning and Ending Time: In January, February, March and May the time is from 9 am – 12:30 pm. In April the time is from 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm.
Instructor: Crescent Farm Staff
Learn about water conservation and sustainable gardening, with hands-on experience! The Crescent Farm, located in the heart of the Arboretum just west of Baldwin Lake, is a reclaimed landscape where we explore new and ancient horticulture techniques for water conservation and food production. This is an educational training series. Please bring gloves, drinking water; wear close-toed shoes and a hat.
May 20 – Weaving / Basketry
Learn to use your bio-mass (plant waste) to create garden structures. Simple weaving techniques can use leaves as cordage, branches as trellises, tomato cages, shade shelters, and various long lasting leaves as weavers. Design and build compost structures, plant guards and soil traps in your own Crescent Garden.
June 17 – Crescent Farm Horticulture
Explore horticulture at Crescent Farm. Tour our choices for low water lawn alternatives, California native ethnobotanic plants of our local indigenous tribes, arid climate orchard trees and native wildflowers! Get ideas for your home landscape from our New California Landscape. Growing tips will also be discussed.
Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature
Saturdays, (6 week sessions):
January 14 – February 18
February 25 – April 1
April 8 – May 13
May 20 – June 24
1:00pm – 3:30pm
Ron Pettie, Instructor
$69 Arboretum members / $79 non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
All materials are included.
Capture the beauty of nature! The instructor will guide a beginner to draw and paint with confidence. More advanced students will be able to paint independently at their own pace and will be able to choose their own subjects.
Each subsequent six-week class will explore other areas of painting such as landscape, still life, domestic animals, structures, deserts, and seascapes. Master artist Ron Pettie will guide you on this adventure.
At the end of a six-week session students will learn the following:
- Composition styles
- How to read a color chart
- Color mixing
- How to use the grid system and the rule of thirds
- Use of dark and light values and gray scales
- Learn a variety of techniques for painting , including using different brushes and the palette knife for texture and depth
- How to use the magic frame on photographs
- Self-Critiquing – Standing back and squinting
- Choosing a signature
Reservations REQUIRED; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
