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
Sep
21
Sat
Southern California Children’s Museum’s Touch-a-Truck Month @ Southern California Children's Museum
Sep 21 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Our signature event is BACK! This year, the trucks will take over our parking lot for all FOUR Saturdays in September! Fun for the entire family, Touch-A-Truck is a hands-on learning experience for children to explore a variety of large trucks, heavy machinery, recreation vehicles, emergency vehicles, & more!!

Ages 0-12

TICKETS
$15 family of 4 or $5 each (kids under one FREE)

BUY TICKETS HERE!

NO HORN hour from 9 – 10AM to accommodate guests with noise sensitivities.

FINE PRINT
Separate tickets required for each day. Door tickets subject to capacity. Prepaid ticket holders please enter through parking lot entrance off Los Robles. Ticket includes all-day open play at Southern California Children’s Museum. Trucks/vehicles may vary by day. Play passes are not valid for this event. Vehicles may vary by day.

Storytime with Mr. Steve @ Vroman's Bookstore
Sep 21 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am

Vroman's favorite storytime guy, Mr. Steve, shares books with little ones every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the kids' section of the store.

Ages 2 – 7

Sep
24
Tue
Nothin’ but Sand @ Different L.A. County beach each month. Check RSVP page for specific dates/locations
Sep 24 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Our monthly all-ages beach cleanup bonanza, 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of every month except December.

Beach cleanups are a great experience for you and your family, friends and co-workers to get involved in the community and environment. All you need to do is show up…and bring reusable supplies, if possible! We provide the supplies, all you need to do is register, sign a waiver, and show up! Visit Heal the Bay’s Eventbrite page for details about the location for this month’s Nothin’ But Sand beach cleanup.

This is a rain or shine event. Cleanups are only cancelled for lightning or thunderstorms. We will still hold the cleanup in light and steady rain. In this case, please come prepared with a rain jacket, appropriate shoes, and an umbrella.

Fight Hunger at Tuesday’s Farmers Market in Culver City
Sep 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Quick Overview: We are working to fight hunger and food waste in Southern California, and we'd love to have you join us.

Mission or Broader Program Description: Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.

Impact: You will be collecting beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise get thrown away, and donating 100% to local food banks, pantries, and shelters.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join the Volunteer Glean Team to help us collect donations of fresh produce from vendors at your local farmers market and box, sort, and weigh the produce. Volunteers should be comfortable carrying boxes of produce that may weigh up to 40 pounds, but don't need to worry about bringing equipment or transporting the food. Wear comfortable work clothing and close-toed shoes, and bring water to drink. ​​​​​​​

Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.​​​​​​​
* Volunteers under the age of 18 will need to bring and have signed by a parent/guardian a Volunteer Agreement & Release for Minors. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.


**All volunteers must register through the Food Forward website. Sign up here: www.foodforward.org/volunteer.** 

After expressing interest, the opportunity leader will contact you to confirm your participation and provide directions for this opportunity.

Sep
25
Wed
Habitat Restoration at the Audubon Center at Debs Park!
Sep 25 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Quick Overview: Help beautify and restore the natural flora and fauna of Debs Park. We ask you to join us in removing undesirable weeds and watering our native restoration areas. With your help, we can make Northeast LA a bird friendly community. 

Mission or Broader Program Description: The Audubon Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. The nature-based education and community programs at Debs Park are designed to engage children and their families in the outdoor world, and to give them a personal stake in its protection by making environmental issues relevant to their lives. The Center is operated by Audubon California, a state field program of National Audubon Society, and is a vital part of Audubon’s national outreach initiative to engage Latino audiences. The Center, which is surrounded by predominately Latino neighborhoods, is a unique gathering place and dynamic focal point for outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation action.

Impact: We are a field program of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country. We are situated in the largest piece of public open space in the lower Los Angeles River Watershed. The Center is a vital and unique gathering place for the Northeast LA community. Our mission is to inspire people to experience, understand, and care for the local natural world. 

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join us in and around our native plant nursery where we propagate plants and maintain habitat restoration sites. Activities include watering, weeding, mulching, berm building and repair,  seed collection, processing and sowing, potting, and planting. Learn about native plants and local bird species as you restore important native habitat within more than 17 acres around the center. Put your hands in some soil and bird while you build habitat! We need you, but more importantly, our neighBIRDS need you! 

Requirements: Be sure to bring lots of water, sun protection, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty! Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves, however we will have plenty available to borrow as well. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and dress in layers. Please fill out the downloadable waiver below and bring it with you to your first day.

* Any volunteer under the age of 18 will need to bring and have signed by a parent/guardian a Volunteer Agreement & Release for Minors. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.
 

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

Help Distribute Food To Those In Need!
Sep 25 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Since 1972, St. Francis Center has provided relief and support to homeless and extremely low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles. Much more than a soup kitchen or a food pantry, we offer a unique range of services to sustain and empower those in need. Welcoming all with joy, dignity and compassion, we dedicate ourselves every day to Serving Hope in our community.

Event Description: Our Food Pantry distribution is part of our Family Well-Being Program. Low-income families and individuals from the community can come once a week for groceries. They select from a collection of grocery items, including a variety of fresh produce, bread, and canned goods. 

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities: Volunteers will first help staff sort, organize, and shelve grocery items and produce and, second, help distribute them to families and individuals in need. 

Requirements: Wear closed toe shoes and comfortable clothing.

Time Commitment: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Age Restrictions: We are happy to host volunteers ages 8+ (parent/guardian supervision required for volunteers ages 8-13). 
*Please remember to fill out a minor volunteer waiver form if minors (under 18) are attending projects. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.

Benefits: Volunteers have the opportunity to help us "serve hope" in the Los Angeles community, learn about hunger and other issues facing many in the community, and build relationships with our guests, staff and fellow volunteers.

*Any inquiries about volunteering to fulfill court-mandated service need to first be approved by the volunteer coordinator and management.*

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

Storytime with Mr. Steve @ Vroman's Bookstore
Sep 25 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am

Vroman's favorite storytime guy, Mr. Steve, shares books with little ones every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the kids' section of the store.

Ages 2 – 7

Fight Hunger at Wednesday’s Farmers Market in Santa Monica
Sep 25 @ 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Quick Overview: We are working to fight hunger and food waste in Southern California, and we'd love to have you join us.

Mission or Broader Program Description: Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.

Impact: You will be collecting beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise get thrown away, and donating 100% to local food banks, pantries, and shelters.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join the Volunteer Glean Team to help us collect donations of fresh produce from vendors at your local farmers market and box, sort, and weigh the produce. Volunteers should be comfortable carrying boxes of produce that may weigh up to 40 pounds, but don't need to worry about bringing equipment or transporting the food. Wear comfortable work clothing and close-toed shoes, and bring water to drink.

Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

**All volunteers must register through the Food Forward website. Sign up here: www.foodforward.org/volunteer.**

After expressing interest, the opportunity leader will contact you to confirm your participation and provide directions for this opportunity.

Sep
26
Thu
Help Distribute Food To Those In Need!
Sep 26 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Since 1972, St. Francis Center has provided relief and support to homeless and extremely low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles. Much more than a soup kitchen or a food pantry, we offer a unique range of services to sustain and empower those in need. Welcoming all with joy, dignity and compassion, we dedicate ourselves every day to Serving Hope in our community.

Event Description: Our Food Pantry distribution is part of our Family Well-Being Program. Low-income families and individuals from the community can come once a week for groceries. They select from a collection of grocery items, including a variety of fresh produce, bread, and canned goods. 

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities: Volunteers will first help staff sort, organize, and shelve grocery items and produce and, second, help distribute them to families and individuals in need. 

Requirements: Wear closed toe shoes and comfortable clothing.

Time Commitment: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Age Restrictions: We are happy to host volunteers ages 8+ (parent/guardian supervision required for volunteers ages 8-13). 
*Please remember to fill out a minor volunteer waiver form if minors (under 18) are attending projects. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.

Benefits: Volunteers have the opportunity to help us "serve hope" in the Los Angeles community, learn about hunger and other issues facing many in the community, and build relationships with our guests, staff and fellow volunteers.

*Any inquiries about volunteering to fulfill court-mandated service need to first be approved by the volunteer coordinator and management.*

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

Sep
27
Fri
Habitat Restoration at the Audubon Center at Debs Park!
Sep 27 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Quick Overview: Help beautify and restore the natural flora and fauna of Debs Park. We ask you to join us in removing undesirable weeds and watering our native restoration areas. With your help, we can make Northeast LA a bird friendly community. 

Mission or Broader Program Description: The Audubon Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. The nature-based education and community programs at Debs Park are designed to engage children and their families in the outdoor world, and to give them a personal stake in its protection by making environmental issues relevant to their lives. The Center is operated by Audubon California, a state field program of National Audubon Society, and is a vital part of Audubon’s national outreach initiative to engage Latino audiences. The Center, which is surrounded by predominately Latino neighborhoods, is a unique gathering place and dynamic focal point for outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation action.

Impact: We are a field program of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country. We are situated in the largest piece of public open space in the lower Los Angeles River Watershed. The Center is a vital and unique gathering place for the Northeast LA community. Our mission is to inspire people to experience, understand, and care for the local natural world. 

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: Join us in and around our native plant nursery where we propagate plants and maintain habitat restoration sites. Activities include watering, weeding, mulching, berm building and repair,  seed collection, processing and sowing, potting, and planting. Learn about native plants and local bird species as you restore important native habitat within more than 17 acres around the center. Put your hands in some soil and bird while you build habitat! We need you, but more importantly, our neighBIRDS need you! 

Requirements: Be sure to bring lots of water, sun protection, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty! Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves, however we will have plenty available to borrow as well. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and dress in layers. Please fill out the downloadable waiver below and bring it with you to your first day.

* Any volunteer under the age of 18 will need to bring and have signed by a parent/guardian a Volunteer Agreement & Release for Minors. The form can be found on L.A. Works website Q&A section.
 

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

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.