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
Oct
21
Sat
I Have a Dream Foundation
Oct 21 all-day

 Your volunteer work at “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) will make a difference in the lives of underprivileged youth in Los Angeles. Volunteers tutor, coach, read to our students (“Dreamers”), chaperone field trips, provide positive role modeling, and act as an all-around support. The staff will supervise all volunteers during the after-school program. 

The IHADLA staff will hold an orientation session at the program site for prospective volunteers. Other than that, the only requirement is that volunteers arrive on time! To apply, please click on the “Apply Now” button to fill out an application, and we will contact you shortly.

AKF Los Angeles + The Compton Initiative
Oct 21 @ 7:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join AKF Los Angeles volunteers in partnership with the Compton Intiative for COMPTON WORKDAY on Saturday, October 21st at 7am.

Be part of thousands of volunteers who will engage in hands-on service projects (building gardens, benches, tables, landscaping, painting and murals) to enhance nonprofits, medical clinics, public schools and much more! 

To sign up and for more info please visit: http://bit.ly/akfcomptonservice

Light breakfast and lunch will be provided as well as AKF Service t-shirts. All ages welcome (those under 18 require a consent form). 

If you have questions, contact Beenish at beenish.dhanani@gmail.com. 

ABOUT AGA KHAN FOUNDATION: 
For nearly 30 years, the Foundation has been working with communities, governments, businesses, and local organizations to help improve the quality of life for 3.5 million people annually in 16 countries across the globe. 100% of donations made to AKF go DIRECTLY to the cause. 

www.akfusa.org

Bolsa Chica Land Trust: Stewards Habitat Restoration Project @ Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve North Parking Lot
Oct 21 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 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.  Volunteer slips are available for school credit.

Residence Host @ Downtown Women's Center
Oct 21 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Are you a natural problem-solver? Do you want to build relationships with DWC’s residents? Join our Residence Host team!

DWC provides 24-hour/7 day-a-week staffing of our Residence to answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and provide support to our residents. Volunteers help us ensure coverage during our Resident Manager dinner breaks from 5:00pm-7:00pm. This is a great opportunity to put problem-solving skills to work and to meet and build relationships with our amazing residents.

Training and a weekly commitment are required. Individual opportunity

Oct
22
Sun
OC Animal Care Volunteer @ OC Animal Care
Oct 22 all-day

If you are searching for a rewarding experience and love working with and for animals, we invite you to join the OC Animal Care volunteer team. Volunteer opportunities are available seven days a week.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

§ Dog Walker – 
Volunteers walk and exercise shelter dogs that are available for adoption. Through exercise, dog walkers provide adoptable dogs' human contact, mental stimulation and basic command training.

§ Cat Socializer – 
Volunteers socialize available shelter cats. Through socializing, volunteers improve the quality of their lives and better prepare them for adoption into loving homes.

§ Greeter – 
Volunteers greet and offer assistance to the public at OC Animal Care's front gate. Greeters are a visitor's first contact with the shelter and through their warm greeting and courtesy may influence a person's decision to adopt from OC Animal Care.

§ Mobile Adoption/Special Events – 
Volunteers assist staff in educating citizens about the services provided by OC Animal Care at local fairs, festivals and mobile adoption events.

§ Clerical Support – 
Volunteers assist customer services staff by preparing adoption packets that offer insightful information to ease the transition of an adopted pet into a new environment.

§ Bather/Groomer – 
Volunteers bathe and groom shelter dogs to create quality bonding time between themselves and the dogs and increase a dog's adoptability.

§ Foster Caretaker – 
Volunteers provide temporary care to young, injured, abused or under-socialized animals. Volunteers return their foster animals when they are deemed suitable for adoption by OC Animal Care clinic staff. The volunteer is responsible for all expenses incurred while fostering.

VOLUNTEER SELECTION

OC Animal Care requires that all potential volunteers go through an extensive selection process. This process ensures that OC Animal Care is selecting volunteers that best fit the needs of the program and understand the unique environment in which they will work. The selection process may take up to two months. Please note that applicants will be selected based on the current needs of OC Animal Care.

Time Commitment
OC Animal Care requests that you commit to a minimum of eight hours per month for three months. This commitment ensures that the program will operate smoothly and that the maximum benefit is derived for the animals.

Training
OC Animal Care staff provide training to all volunteers. Volunteers are required to complete the training for each position in which they are selected to serve.

One Generation Farmers Market Volunteer @ One Generation
Oct 22 @ 7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Every Sunday volunteers sign in at 7am and out at 1pm to help greet at the entrance gates and offer information about ONEgeneration services, help at the Bagel or Book booths, or assist a Farmers or small business for the day.  This event is a walk in position so you can come any Sunday that you are available from 7am to 1pm, no partial shifts.  

When volunteers sign out at 1pm they will receive a completion letter for their hours if needed. 

If you have questions about this weekly volunteer event please email [masked]

We hope to see you soon at the Encino Farmers Market!

100% of the proceeds from all ONEgeneration booths and entrance gates support the programs we offer the community. 

Kitchen Volunteers: Project Angel Food @ Project Angel Food
Oct 22 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Enjoy meeting other people while helping others? Like to cook? If so, Project Angel Food needs you to help prepare healthy meals for the sick! The organization’s devoted volunteers of all ages represent the diversity of Los Angeles. They are at the heart of all Project Angel Food does, so they pride themselves on the strong sense of community amongst volunteers and staff alike.

Kitchen volunteers join a fun-loving group of compassionate people each day to do everything from chopping, stirring, mixing, baking and packaging meals. You don't even need to know how to cook … only how to take direction from their kitchen chefs. They could use your valuable help!

Two shifts are available: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 – 3:30 pm. A weekend shift on Sunday is also available from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm.Project Angel Food

Please sign up HERE or contact Project Angel Food at volunteers@angelfood.org.

NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunity!

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: A CULTURAL LEGACY @ SELF HELP GRAPHICS & ART
Oct 22 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has become an entire season of celebration spanning Southern California. Beginning in August through November, festivals, pop ups, and altars are created in diverse community based organizations, public spaces, schools, and ticketed venues. Today’s interpretation of the sacred indigenous tradition has been remixed and recycled into a commercial holiday blending Mexican, Latino, and American pop culture iconography with the spiritual aesthetics of Día de los Muertos’ indigenous and Catholic influences.

As an official Getty Foundation Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA exhibition site Self Help Graphics (SHG) will present Día de los Muertos: A Cultural Legacy, Past, Present & Future to explore the evolution of the celebration in Los Angeles and the foundational transnational dialogue between the Chicano/Latino community and Mexico that continues to shape the tradition celebrated on both sides of the border. SHG will step away from the cultural appropriation that has repackaged this tradition to examine its Mexican roots presenting a future-focused exhibition supported by educational programming including a printed lectures, artist panel discussion, family-friendly tours, and a catalog to document this historical narrative. The curatorial team includes Lead-Curator artist Linda Vallejo and Co-Curator Dr. Betty Brown (Emeritus Professor of Art History, California State University Northridge) in partnership with SHG staff.

Día de los Muertos: A Cultural Legacy, Past, Present & Future exhibition and educational programming will take place between September 17, 2017 and February 24, 2018 with the main communal celebration on Saturday, November 4, 2017. The exhibition will feature three Day of the Dead “ofrendas” by artists Ofelia Esparza (East Los Angeles), Tijuana’s Gerardo “Acamonchi” Yépiz (Mexico), and Marcus Kuiland-Nazario (Los Angeles) as well as select Día de los Muertos prints, photographs and ephemera from across the four-decade history of SHG’s celebration broken down into a chronological evolution including the unveiling of the 44th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration fine art limited edition serigraph.

Food on Foot @ Gay and Lesbian Center
Oct 22 @ 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm

You can help distribute food and clothing to the homeless and poor on any Sunday, from 3:15pm to 5:00pm, in our Hollywood location (1625 N. Schrader Blvd.) Devoting 90 minutes of your time has a positive and heartwarming impact on the homeless that you serve. We are kid friendly too!  We encourage you to bring your children and inspire them to give back to their community. (All children must be accompanied by an adult).

Volunteering requires a $20 per person donation, including children.  Your gift will go towards funding for the food and gift cards you will help distribute on Sunday afternoon.

Oct
23
Mon
Be a Mentor: Youth Policy Institute @ Please contact Leah for more details.
Oct 23 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.

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.