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.
The good folks at Hollywood HEART — a nonprofit dedicated to developing character strengths, confidence, and resiliency in at-risk youth through purposeful engagement in the arts — are in need of a few great volunteers!
Volunteers will be helping 36 amazing high school kids in varied grade levels ranging from 9th to 12th grades during the 6th period ICAP class at Los Angeles High School. The class, which covers a wearable art unit combining 3D sculpture, fashion, jewelry and more, is for enrolled LA High students interested in art. Volunteers are needed to help support the classroom teacher and the Hollywood HEART teaching artist by checking in supplies, encouraging student work and participation, and helping the teachers as necessary. It will be a fun, creative, and potentially messy class, so casual attire is encouraged.
NOTE: If volunteering on Monday, LAHS has a shortened schedule — 6th period is 2:27 – 3:07 pm. Tuesday through Friday 6th period is 2:11 pm – 3:07 pm. All volunteers must contact Hollywood HEART Director of Programs Maggie Blake at maggie@hollywoodheart.org to confirm scheduling and receive background check instructions.
Join Create Now on Friday, March 31st from 6 – 9 
pm for a relaxing and memorable evening at Kiehl’s. For only $50, you will receive a rejuvenating mini-facial, a goodie bag with samples, scrumptious refreshments, raffle prizes, and intuitive readings for ten people. Come have fun and party with Create Now! Space is limited! Click this link to purchase your tickets.
All proceeds enable abused, neglected and homeless children ages 2-21 to heal through Create Now, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that helps youth find their voices through arts mentoring and education.
Don’t miss Star, Inc.’s 17th Annual Children's Earth Day event at the STAR Eco Station in Culver City, California! Two exciting volunteer opportunities are available as helpful participants are needed to assist with set-up on Saturday, April 1st and the actual event on Sunday, April 2nd. Shift times are below. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Lili Miller at 310-842-8040 if you are interested in helping!
Set-up: Saturday, April 1
- Shift 1: 8:00am-12:00pm
- Shift 2: 11:30am-2:30pm
Star, Inc. is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization serving kids, families, schools and communities.
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.
The Theodore Payne Foundation 2017 Native Plant Garden Tour will be held April 1-2, packed with curated tours through the county's most beautiful private and public landscapes. From the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, gardens will be open for visitors. LA boasts some of the most unique native plants, landscape design, and wildlife.
Visit nativeplantgardentour.org to learn more and grab tickets.
Instructor: Dr. Robert Tager
Pre-registration preferred; Please call 626-821-4623 or pay at the door
Discover what your brain needs to function at its peak. Neurologist and Arboretum volunteer, Dr. Bob Tager will provide an introduction to memory, learning and the brain, before leading a tour through the LA Arboretum gardens and discussing ways of preserving and enhancing brain function. You will learn what recent research says about improving brain health and ways you can enjoy the process.
Robert Tager is currently Clinical Professor of Medical Education at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, and he gives tours to medical students to enhance their observational skills and to learn the health benefits of the garden environment.
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.
Be a Part of the Volunteer Usher Family!
More than 300 volunteer ushers assist South Coast Repertory by taking tickets, helping patrons to their seats, distributing programs and selling concession items and SCR merchandise. Volunteers see an entire season of theatre free-of-charge while mingling with theatregoers. The volunteer season concludes with a fun end-of-year usher celebration. For more info, please email usher@scr.org or call the Usher Hotline at 714-708-5068.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING volunteer opportunity. Please call for exact times and dates.
Don’t miss Star, Inc.’s 17th Annual Children's Earth Day event at the STAR Eco Station in Culver City, California! Two exciting volunteer opportunities are available as helpful participants are needed to assist with set-up on Saturday, April 1st and the actual event on Sunday, April 2nd. Shift times are below. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Lili Miller at 310-842-8040 if you are interested in helping!
Children's Earth Day: Sunday, April 2nd
- Shift 1: 7:00am-11:00am
- Shift 2: 10:30am-2:30pm
- Shift 3: 2:00pm-6:00pm
Star, Inc. is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization serving kids, families, schools and communities.
Come join AbilityFirst for a fun-filled day as they Stroll & Roll through the Universal Studios Backlot to benefit AbilityFirst programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities. Stroll through NewYork, Whoville, Jaws, and other movie backdrop sets, meet Universal Studios characters, enjoy complimentary coffee and continental breakfast, and eat from delicious food trucks! Don’t miss your chance to walk through the expo for giveaways, massages and more. For more information, please call 626-396-1010 or email stroll@abilityfirst.org. Register at www.strollandroll.org or www.abilityfirst.org.
