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
May
31
Wed
Friendly Visiting Volunteer: SeniorServ @ Central, North and West Orange County, CA
May 31 – Jun 1 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.
 

Jun
1
Thu
Volunteer: LA Family Housing @ Please contact LA Family Housing for address details.
Jun 1 – Jun 2 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!

Social Impact Breakfast @ Pacific Oaks College
Jun 1 @ 7:45 am – 9:15 am

Don’t miss the upcoming Social Impact Breakfasts in Los Angeles. Each breakfast features a set of speakers (Impact-Makers) and an opportunity to connect with others working to make an impact.

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Pacific Oaks College (55 W Eureka St, Pasadena, CA 91103) in Pasadena. Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact:

  • David Eads, CEO, Tournament of Roses
  • Brian Davis, Executive Director, Girls and Boys Club of Pasadena

About Social Impact Breakfasts:

Everyday in LA, thousands of people are working to make the city a better place, improving the lives of fellow Angelenos. The City Impact Lab in Los Angeles brings together those working to make an impact — in government, in the arts, in neighborhoods, in non-profits, and in business — to share breakfast and jumpstart their effectiveness with tactics for success from impact-makers across the city.

Format
The 75 minute breakfast is formatted to provide attendees with the opportunity to 1) connect to others who can support their work, 2) learn tactics from expert "Impact Makers," and 3) find ways to more effectively create a social impact in LA. Each breakfast includes at least 2 speakers providing their specific strategies to make an impact in LA. Space is limited to 35 attendees from a cross sector of government, non-profit, business, and arts professionals.

Cost
The Social Impact Breakfast is only $15. Space is limited, so register early.
Access Passholders receive free admission.

Register HERE

Tai Chi @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jun 1 @ 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”.

Sewing Quilts for Veterans @ SewVac Ltd
Jun 1 @ 1:00 pm – Jun 1 @ 5:00 pm

SoCal Quilts of Valor cuts and sew quilts to present to military Veterans to thank them for their service, welcome them home, and help them in their healing. They also trim quilts when they come back from quilters and attach the binding and label, then they get hand stitched and washed in preparation for being awarded. The group meets every Thursday, except holidays. Come for as long as you can!  For more info, please contact Barbara Winkler.

Jun
2
Fri
Volunteer: Meals on Wheels West LA @ Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles
Jun 2 @ 10:15 am – 12:30 pm

MOWWLABecome 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!

Jun
3
Sat
NKLA Super Adoption @ Warner Park
Jun 3 all-day

Adopt a new best friend for $10 and help make L.A. a no-kill city.

Kick off summer with the coolest pets around at the Best Friends NKLA Super Adoption! Join NKLA June 3 & 4 to meet more than 1,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from dozens of local shelters and rescue groups. Adoption fees start at just $10!

All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. And when you adopt, you'll also go home with a new collar and leash, coupons and more (while supplies last).

Admission is free so bring the whole family to this festival of fun that will feature pet-related vendors and some of L.A.'s most popular food trucks. Don't forget, it's all happening at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills.

Adopt one to help Save Them All®

LAX Dunes Volunteer Event @ LAX Dunes - Waterview Street at Trask Intersection, Playa Del Rey, CA
Jun 3 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Please join the good folks at LAX Dunes the first Saturday of every month to help restore the dunes by removing non-native plants. Please arrive no later than 9:15 am as the gate must be closed at this time. Wear long pants and bring a water bottle. Learn more at www.FriendsOfTheLAXDunes.org.

Register at http://bit.ly/CCD-LAXDunes-map.

For more info, please contact Rod Abbott at rabbit@santamonicabay.org.

Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature @ Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jun 3 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

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.

Jun
4
Sun
NKLA Super Adoption @ Warner Park
Jun 4 all-day

Adopt a new best friend for $10 and help make L.A. a no-kill city.

Kick off summer with the coolest pets around at the Best Friends NKLA Super Adoption! Join NKLA June 3 & 4 to meet more than 1,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from dozens of local shelters and rescue groups. Adoption fees start at just $10!

All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. And when you adopt, you'll also go home with a new collar and leash, coupons and more (while supplies last).

Admission is free so bring the whole family to this festival of fun that will feature pet-related vendors and some of L.A.'s most popular food trucks. Don't forget, it's all happening at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills.

Adopt one to help Save Them All®

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.