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.
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.
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.
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 smilo grass, 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, closed-toe 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 under 13 must be accompanied by adults. Service at Starr Ranch fulfills community service requirements. Please take a look at their volunteer days from November 2019 through May 2020. Find the dates that work for you and RSVP to Sandy DeSimone, sdesimone@audubon.org
2019-2020 Saturday Volunteer Days
9am – 12:30 pm each date (*except April)
November 9 & 16
December 7 & 14
January 11 & 18
February 8 & 15
March 7 & 21
April 4, 11, & 18 *(1:30pm – 4:30pm)
May 9 & 16
If you can’t find a date that works for you and would still like to volunteer, it is possible to volunteer during the week, Monday – Friday. Please reply with a suggested date to Sandy, sdesimone@audubon.org and they will get back to you.
For more information on Starr Ranch Sanctuary call 949-858-0309 or visit their website: www.starrranch.org
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!
Smallfoot roars into Harkins Cerritos 16, just a little more softly; the sensory-friendly screening is appropriate for guests affected by autism and sensory processing disorders.
One Saturday each month, select Harkins locations present a family-friendly film in an auditorium dedicated to guests affected by autism and sensory processing disorders.These screenings feature:
- Brightened Light Levels
- Reduced Sound Volume
- Room For Guest Interaction
- Outside Snacks Permitted
Upcoming Films:
July 6: Toy Story 4
August 3: The Lion King
September 7: The Angry Birds Movie 2
October 5: Abominable
November 9: Arctic Dogs
December 7: Frozen 2
The participating local theatre is the Cerritos 16, (Another So Cal location is the Mountain Grove 16 in Redlands).
See history before your eyes — and under your feet!
Long Beach Heritage will help launch For the Record on November 18, 2019! This interactive timeline takes history to the streets, telling overlooked stories of the heritage that surrounds us.
Volunteers will install the timeline this weekend, and Councilman Rex Richardson will officially kick it off on Monday. All events meet at Jordan High School (main entrance gate), 6500 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805. Pre-registration is not required and there is no fee to participate.
Installation
Sat., Nov. 16, 3pm
Volunteers welcome!
Kickoff Event
w/ Councilman Rex Richardson
Mon., Nov. 18, 4pm
Guided Tour
Sat., Dec. 7, 10am
For the Record is a placemaking project created in partnership with lead organization We Are The Next and other community leaders to help broaden the story told about North Long Beach by highlighting lesser known events and people who have shaped the city and neighborhood. A series of decals along Atlantic Avenue, between the Michelle Obama Library and Jordan High School, will reach as far back as 1784 to tell the history through an interactive timeline.
By engaging with the North Long Beach community in the places and spaces they frequent every day, For the Record seeks to empower local residents with knowledge of the history that surrounds them. Every weekday, hundreds of local teens walk this path. They will be exposed to the history of their city and discover the place they call home. Though the area has not traditionally participated in mainstream types of historic recognition, such as designating buildings as historic landmarks, this project looks to instill preservation values within the community through a fresh approach.
You can visit For the Record’s digital home at lbtimeline.com to learn more. Contact preservation@lbheritage.org or (562) 493-7019 for more information or https://www.lbheritage.org/tours-events/for-the-record/
Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance (WANA), and
Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)
Are Looking for a Few Good Volunteers!
Service Hours opportunity for volunteers over the age of 18 yr. old.
Volunteers — they need your help setting up the lane on Daisy Avenue.
The volunteer work day is:
Christmas Tree Lane Work Day
Saturday, December 7, 2019
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Meet at Hill Street and Daisy Avenue
Christmas Tree Lane is located on Daisy Avenue
between Hill Street & Pacific Coast Highway.
Volunteers will be meeting at Hill Street & Daisy Avenue.
Volunteers work all day to try and get every display fenced in.
Lunch will be provided for all the volunteers.
You are welcome to help even if it's only one or two hours.
Please contact: Maria Norvell, Chair or e-mail DaisyChristmasTreeLane@gmail.com (562) 427-5021
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.
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
The Aquarium of the Pacific is working together with the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to help restore a local wetland in Long Beach.
The Aquarium hosts a monthly habitat restoration event at the Los Cerritos Wetlands. This is your opportunity to visit and learn about our local wetlands, help the environment, and support the Aquarium of the Pacific.
The Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewardship Program is working to restore 66 acres of wetlands owned by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority. These wetlands occupy habitat in two cities, Long Beach and Seal Beach, and two counties, Los Angeles and Orange. The program’s ongoing restorative activities have included removing non-native plants, collecting seeds from rare plants for later use, and collecting trash.
Restoration will focus on non-native weed removal and rare native plant conservation. These events will be led by trained naturalists and local educators, offering a great opportunity for local citizens to learn more about the Los Cerritos Wetlands, while getting hands-on involvement with the restoration.
Age: The entire family is welcome to participate. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free. No registration required.
Meeting Place: Participants will be met and greeted by Los Cerritos Wetlands staff at the corner of Pacific Coast Hwy and 1st. Street in Seal Beach. Arriving around 10:15 a.m. is recommended.
Length: 2 hours, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Please Bring: The wetlands are wildlands, so please dress accordingly. Closed-toe shoes are required. Hat and sunscreen are recommended. Drinking water will be provided, but this is a plastic water bottle-free event. Please bring a reusable water bottle.
Participants eligible to win a free ticket to the Aquarium and other prizes!
For more information, please visit the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority.
