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
Apr
6
Wed
Baby & Toddler Storytime with the Librarian @ John C. Fremont Library
Apr 6 @ 11:00 am

Join our friends at the John C. Fremont Library for Baby & Toddler Storytime with the Librarian every Wednesday!  All ages welcome. Sessions are held at 10:30 and 11 am; both are the same. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, movement activities and more with Ms. Megan, the Children's Librarian. For more info, please contact Children's Librarian Megan Katz at 323-962-3521.

Apr
7
Thu
Support “Chicks Who Make Flicks”
Apr 7 – Apr 8 all-day

Women writers and directors in the entertainment industry constantly encounter roadblocks when attempting to advance their careers – even when they are just as talented and capable as their male counterparts. Women actors have a similar problem simply because the number of female roles is significantly less than for men.  Friend of Big Sunday Amy Lloyd and her business partner Christina Gray have combined efforts to combat this issue with a special IndieGogo campaign for their production company “Chicks Who Make Flicks.”  This organization is working to do its part to increase visibility and provide more opportunities for women.  The production company creates films made by women, films that tell great woman’s stories, films that capture the voices of women from all over the world and at every stage of their life. Their goal is to create an environment that supports, encourages, and celebrates talented female filmmakers.  For more info on how you can support this great cause, please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/chicks-who-make-flicks-a-film-production-company#

WE Day California – Inspiring Youth Empowerment Event @ The Forum
Apr 7 @ 8:30 am – 4:15 pm

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WE Day California is coming to the Los Angeles area for the first time on Thursday, April 7, 2016, and they want you to join them as a volunteer!

WE Day brings together world-renowned speakers and performers with tens of thousands of youth to celebrate the power young people have to change the world. Students can’t buy a ticket to WE Day – they earn it through active citizenship by participating in one local and global action.

The success of WE Day is largely dependent on our committed volunteers, who take on a variety of roles in helping our staff execute the events. Volunteers have the opportunity to be a part of the excitement of WE Day, sharing in the passion of inspirational speakers and performers, and interacting with youth, educators and honored guests.

An event of this magnitude requires the support of about 1,000 volunteers. Support young people leading local and global change, see world-renowned speakers and performers, and give back to your community in a fun and meaningful way.

For a full description of the roles available and to register, please visit www.weday.com/volunteer. There are many roles for a wide range of skills and interests, for both youth and adults alike!

If you would like more information, please visit www.weday.com/volunteer or email volunteers@freethechildren.com.

Big Sunday’s TM@10 @ Big Sunday
Apr 7 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Join us for TM@10 at Big Sunday headquarters where we’ll host a different service project each week that benefits a worthy cause! Enjoy good food, good company and good deeds; everyone is welcome. Some of the groups we’ve helped include BookEnds, Quilts with a Divine Quest, and lots of shelters, hospitals and senior facilities around all over town. For more info or to sign up, contact rob@bigsunday.org or click HERE.   thursmelrose2

SoCal Quilts of Valor Sew Days @ SewVac Ltd
Apr 7 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join our friends at So Cal Quilts of Valor for their Sew Days held every Thursday (except on holidays).  Volunteers are needed to help construct quilts to be awarded to veterans to thank them for their service and/or help them in their healing. For more info, please visit www.socalqov.org.  They especially need long-arm quilters to complete the process.  Please contact Barbara Winkler for more info or to sign up today! 

Apr
8
Fri
Mentorship Program: Imagine LA @ Please contact Tara for more details.
Apr 8 – Apr 9 all-day

Imagine LA works with volunteers and vulnerable families to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty, and neglect; and help every member thrive!

Their Family Mentorship Program matches a team of volunteer mentors from committed organizations to work directly with a family for 1-2 years. Imagine LA matches every family member with a one-to-one mentor; plus every family gets a Budget Mentor; and other volunteers help with tutoring, career development, childcare, healthcare, meal-planning and more. Imagine LA works.

Today, kids are excelling in school, parents are on career tracks, saving, maintaining budgets, and everyone remains in stable housing.

The Family Mentorship Program is a transformative experience for Families and Mentors alike. For families escaping the cycle of poverty, a mentor like you can make the difference between surviving and thriving.

All you need to do is take the first step –– please contact Outreach & Communications Manager, Tara Ignont at tara@imaginela.org or 323-944-0210 x412 for a Mentorship Application today!

NOTE: This is an ongoing, daily (M-F) volunteer opportunity!imaginela-logo-2014

STAR Volunteers: Read with Kids @ John C. Fremont Library
Apr 8 @ 3:00 pm – Apr 8 @ 5:00 pm

Come meet the STAR volunteer readers Isaac and Savannah at John C. Fremont Library!  Children are invited to read stories together and learn how to earn a free book. Books come alive for kids when they share the fun of reading with STAR library volunteers. For more info, please contact Children's Librarian Megan Katz at 323-962-3521.

Apr
9
Sat
Volunteer: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books @ University of Southern California
Apr 9 – Apr 10 all-day

The Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: Bring together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has become Southern California's major literary event, now in its 21st year! The 2016 Festival will be held on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10 at the University of Southern California and they would love to have you join this special event as a volunteer.

Last year over 156,000 people attended the Festival, which featured more than a hundred ticketed author events, children’s storytelling, poetry readings, book signings and more than 400 exhibitor booths.  The Festival’s success has been due in part to the generous participation of volunteers who welcomed attendees, assisted with registration, staffed author events, supervised book signings and much more.

Time Commitment: Volunteers sign up for one or more 3-4 hour shifts on one or both days.

Requirements: 

  • The majority of volunteer activities require being on your feet for most of your shift.
  • Please wear comfortable shoes and khaki or beige pants or shorts.
  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. 
  •  **You cannot bring children under the age of 18 with you during your shift.

Benefits: Volunteers will receive free parking, shuttle service from the parking lot and lunch. T-shirts will be provided for volunteers to wear and keep after the event.

*Please sign up as soon as possible as space fills up quickly and the final deadline for pre-registering as a volunteer is March 28, 2016.

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.troutco.com/fob.

Volunteer: Ahead With Horses @ Ahead With Horses
Apr 9 @ 8:45 am – 2:00 pm

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Are you an animal lover?  If so, don’t miss the chance to volunteer with Ahead With Horses every Saturday (unless otherwise noted) at their Shadow Hills facility.

Please note AWH is CLOSED the following Saturdays: 2/13/16; 3/26/16; 5/28/16; 7/2/16; 9/3/16; 11/26/16; 12/24/16 and 12/31/16.

Volunteers will assist in providing our developmental therapy to children with disabilities.

Duties include: Leading horses, spotting (walking along side the horse), grooming, cleaning tack, weeding, raking, etc.

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and if under 18, an adult must come to sign a liability release form at their first session.

Dress code: must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and a shirt with sleeves (t-shirt is fine; no tank tops). If planning on staying the entire day (which is not mandatory), please bring water and a sack lunch.

Questions? Please call Michelle at 818-767-6373.

Volunteer: Starr Ranch Sanctuary @ Starr Ranch Sanctuary - Orange County, CA
Apr 9 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Audubon California’s 4000-acre Starr Ranch Sanctuary in southeast Orange County is pleased to invite you to join them as a volunteer "Weed Warrior." 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 must be accompanied by adults. This opportunity fulfills community service requirements. Please take a look at their volunteer days from January 2016 through May 2016. Find the dates that work for you. Reserve your place by clicking this link http://goo.gl/forms/5AQCO3GsGm or by sending your name, available dates, number in party, source you found the opportunity from, and phone number to Sandy at sdesimone@audubon.org.

2016 Saturday Volunteer Days

9 am – 12:30 pm each date (*except April)

  • January 9 & 23
  • February 6 & 27
  • March 19 & 26
  • *April 9, 16, & 23 (1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
  • May 14 & 21

If you can’t find a date that works for you and would still like to volunteer, it is possible to volunteer with the organization any day during the week, Monday – Friday. Please reply with a suggested date to Sandy at sdesimone@audubon.org and she will get back to you.

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.