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.
Volunteers are essential to the success of Good Shepherd Center and help us improve the lives of homeless women and children in our community. We would love to have you join our team as a volunteer. Prior to volunteering we strongly reccomend that you participate in a tour of our facilites. Tours are offered the second Saturday of the month at 10:00 am. NOTE: There will be no tour in December.
Tours begin at our Farley House Residence, located at 1671 Beverly Blvd. Parking and entrance to the building are in the alley located one block north of Beverly Blvd., off Union Ave.
The tour takes a little more than an hour and will be followed by a Volunteer Information and Orientation. If you are interested in volunteering or learning how how you can get involved (e.g. donating, serving on our Auxiliary Board, or assisting with fund-raising), we strongly encourage you to participate in the tour.
Those that attend the Volunteer Information and Orientation portion will:
- Learn more about Good Shepherd Centers’ programs
- Be provided with a list of current volunteer opportunities and a job description
- Have an opportunity to fill out a volunteer application
If you would like to participate in the tour or attend the Volunteer Information and Orientation, please contact Annemarie at ahowse@gschomeless.org.
Requirements for Volunteers:
- Fill out a volunteer application
- Pass a background check.or be live scan fingerprinted at one of our Live Scan Centers. (depending on your volunteer position).
- TB clearance (at your expense or there are facilities that do it for free; we will provide you with that information)
- Interview by a staff member/s
- Please note: Minors do not need to pass a background check but will need parental or guardian approval (signature)
If you would like to attend the orientation, please contact Annemarie at ahowse@gschomeless.org.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Fund-raising
- Join our Outreach Team
- Join our Auxiliary Board
- Assist in our Family Services Program
- Serve as a tutor in Math or English for women working on their GED. Tutoring is one on one and hours are flexible.
- Prepare (or cater) a meal and serve to residents at one of our shelters
- Facilitate an employment related seminar-this can be a one time commitment.
- Organize our donation room. You must be able to work independently with little supervision. Hours are flexible but must be weekdays, during regular business hours. Great organizational abilities a plus!
- Facilitate a drive (food, toiletries, beauty products). Ask about our incentive program.
- Volunteer opportunities change periodically depending on our needs at the time. We welcome your ideas.
NDVets Memorial Day 5K
We look for friendly, energetic volunteers to assist with our 5K run/walk. We need volunteers to help with everything from Check-In, staffing water stations, and cheering on walkers and runners along the course, to giving out medals at the finish line and cleaning up.
NDVets Annual Gala Dinner
For this event, we need focused and friendly volunteers to help with event registration and ushering.
Day of Service
Arrange a day when caring employees from your company or organization can come out to one of our many NDVets facilities and complete a volunteer project that includes jobs such as gardening, painting, cleaning, and assembling care packages.
Host a Fundraiser or Collection Drive
Add an opportunity for giving to your next company party or event by collecting donations for NDVets! Most donations are tax-deductible.
Lunches for our Welcome Center
Our Welcome Center is often the first stop for many of our veterans seeking help, and meals are much needed and appreciated! If your organization is interested in scheduling a day to donate bagged lunches for our veterans, please contact our volunteer coordinator at devvolunteer@ndvets.org.
Attend an NDVets event
When you support a New Directions for Veterans event, you directly support our mission and the veterans we serve. Take a look at our upcoming events to see what’s happening!
If you’d like to donate your time and talents to New Directions for Veterans
Please contact us, and we can discuss a volunteer opportunity that works for you! Call us at 310-914-4045 and ask for the Development Department, or email us at info@ndvets.org.
The Salvation Army's Bell Shelter in Bell, CA and The Haven on the VA campus in West Los Angeles offers 3 hot meals a day to each of their residents and volunteers are always needed to help serve. Volunteers are asked assist in the prep and serve either breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are several locations listed for this opportunity.
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.
Join us for the 2nd Annual Ranchos Walk
Join us to experience Long Beach in a whole new way at the 2nd Annual Ranchos Walk event on Saturday, September 28, 2019.
Beginning at 8 a.m., participants will take a walk through history as they follow a route that links Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. This 9.4-mile scenic walk also connects the California State University, Long Beach campus, Reservoir Hill, Hilltop Park in Signal Hill, Longview Point at Willow Springs Park and Rancho Los Cerritos. There will also be 3.5-mile and 6-mile options available, and all participants are invited to attend the 175th anniversary celebration of Ranchos Los Cerritos at the end of the walk. Participants will be able to purchase food and bring proper identification to responsibly enjoy the beer garden refreshments.
Participation in the event is free, and online registration is available at www.longbeach.gov/ranchoswalk.
Full Ranchos Walk: the full walk is 9.4 miles from just outside Rancho Los Alamitos to the entrance of Rancho Los Cerritos. Sign in from 7:30-8:30am at 1200 Palo Verde Avenue. Parking is available for a $9 all-day fee in CSULB lot E6. Carpooling, busing, and biking are encouraged. The walk will begin at 8:00am.
6-Mile Ranchos Walk: the 6-mile walk is from the National Guard Armory to the entrance of Rancho Los Cerritos. Sign in from 9:00-10:00am at 2200 Redondo Avenue. Parking is very limited. Carpooling, busing, and biking are encouraged.
3.5-Mile Ranchos Walk: the 3.5-mile walk is from Longview Point at Willow Springs Park to the entrance of Rancho Los Cerritos. Sign in from 10:00-11:00am at 2755 Orange Avenue. Parking is very limited. Carpooling, busing, and biking are encouraged.
Shuttle services and water will be provided along the route. Only service dogs will be permitted.
Schedule:
7:00 AM: Shuttle service opens
7:30 AM: Registration for the full Ranchos Walk opens at CSU Long Beach, 1200 Palo Verde Avenue
8:00 AM: Ranchos Walk kickoff
8:30 AM: Full Walk Registration closes
9:00 AM: 6-Mile Ranchos Walk registration opens at the California National Guard, 2200 Redondo Avenue
10:00 AM: 6-Mile Walk registration closes, 3.5-Mile Walk Registration opens at Willow Springs Park, 2755 Orange Avenue
11:00 AM: 175th Anniversary Festival opens at Rancho Los Cerritos, 3.5 Mile Walk Registration closes
2:00 PM: Ranchos Walk 2019 Closes
Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and apply plenty of sunscreen. Bring a reusable water bottle to refill at water stations along the route. Three rest stops along the route will provide water, snacks, first aid, restroom facilities, and information for participants.
Please no dogs. This is a long walk and could be too much for your furry friend. Service dogs only will be allowed.
Download the izi Travel app on your smart phone to access digital route guidance and audio information on points of interest along the route. Open the app and search for "Ranchos Walk" to find the tour and start route guidance. Bring a power bank to ensure your battery will last for the full walk.
Bring money and your ID to purchase food and enjoy refreshments in the beer garden at the Rancho Los Cerritos 175th Anniversary Celebration.
Long Beach Sustainability is partnering with the departments of Public Works and Health and Human Services, as well as Walk Long Beach, Rancho los Cerritos and Rancho los Alamitos to host this event.
We are proud to make Ranchos Walk 2019 free for all participants. Please consider supporting the Ranchos Walk through a donation to one of our partners: Walk Long Beach, Rancho Los Cerritos, and Rancho Los Alamitos.
We hope you can join us!
We are always happy to have people interested in volunteering!
We have a short orientation every Saturday morning at 8:45am in Shadow Hills. (Rain will normally cancel and we are closed for major 3-day holiday weekends.)
Volunteers must be at least 12 to volunteer. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you to sign some paperwork. Closed-toe shoes (should be comfortable because there is a lot of walking), a shirt with sleeves (T-shirts are fine; No tank tops) and long pants are required. If planning to stay for the entire day (till approx. 2 – 2:30pm) then bringing water and a sack lunch/snack is recommended. Other days and times available for volunteering will be given at the orientation.
We normally have volunteers assist the instructor with the children and horses, which includes, leading horses and spotting, which is walking alongside the horse to ensure child’s safety and position changes on the horse. Other activities might include: grooming horses, cleaning tack, gardening (raking, weeding, etc.), mailings, etc.
Sign up HERE!
Families will enjoy taking part part in restoring the native garden to benefit local wildlife and the community.
HOW YOU CAN VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CONNECTION
Each year, our volunteers contribute 5000+ hours, accounting for almost 80% of our services. If you're interested in promoting peace in the lives of foster youth, join our community and bring your knowledge and compassion to those who will truly benefit. It's a truly rewarding experience!
Primarily our volunteers connect with youth on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm in an environment that focuses on creativity, education, life skills building, health and wellness. Under the guidance of our staff, volunteers are given the tools to work one-to-one with youth, developing strong bonds that leave a lasting impression.
HERE'S A QUICK REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST:
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- Be at least 18 years of age
- Contribute at least 8 hours a month [2 Saturdays per month] and commit to a minimum of one year of service
- Obtain Department of Justice clearance
- Attend both a new volunteer orientation and training
And here's some of the things you'll be doing:
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- Engage, mentor and provide leadership for youth in foster care, ages 4-18 years old
- Support our educational team in facilitating creative learning onsite and on field trips
- Create a consistent, nurturing community based environment
- Have fun making new friends with like-minded folks!
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.
Second Chances Leadership Program was designed to build and develop the self-confidence, life and leadership skills of youth through interactive learning, in-class discussions, presentations, panels, workshops, and exploratory field-trips. Upon conclusion, participants will be able to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of a leader’s core essentials through a service learning project, weekly homework and journaling assignments, discussions, presentations, and a culmination project.
Our youth will become ‘Ambassadors’ allowing them to become well versed in the theoretical and practical application of a leader’s core essentials and be capable of utilizing them within their home, school, and community. This allows them to personally develop through leadership programs and have access to tools and resources that not only helps such youth to apply to college, but also prepares them to succeed in life.
The Leadership Program consists of 5 modules that are 8 weeks in length. The modules expands our youth knowledge base by providing significant exposure to real-life work experiences, hands-on activities that challenge their decision making process, and intense cross-cultural volunteer projects both locally and abroad.
