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.
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is holding the 18th Annual Alive & Running 5k Walk/Run for Suicide Prevention on Sunday, September 25th, and they are currently looking for volunteers and participants.
Alive and Running is a 5K Walk/Run to raise funds and awareness for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services’ Suicide Prevention Center (SPC). Their SPC was founded in 1958, and provides critical services to people who are contemplating suicide and those affected by the suicide of a loved one.
Proceeds from the event are used to fund vital programming at the Suicide Prevention Center, which has one of the nation’s few 24/7 Spanish/English crisis lines and is one of only three that answers calls for the National Disaster Distress Helpline. The Center trains more than 20,000 people a year, participates in cutting-edge research and runs support groups replicated around the world for people who have thought about, attempted or lost someone to suicide.
Volunteer duties include:
• T-shirt distribution
• Parking lot attendants
• Design “Finish Line” posters
• Water distribution
• Award distribution
• Finish line cheerleaders
• Provide volunteer station relief
• High School Team assistance
• Set-up/Clean-up
Alive and Running will take place near LAX, on 88th Street and La Tijera Boulevard. Volunteers are asked to be at the event from 6:30am to 11am.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Hillary Peregrina at 310-751-5455 or DevTemp@didihirsch.org.
NOTE: All volunteers welcome; those 14 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (GLA ALA) and CASA/LA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Los Angeles) are partnering once again for the Justice Jog—a 5K Run/Walk benefiting CASA of Los Angeles—bringing the legal community, local businesses, community leaders, friends and family together for a good,? no, great cause.
All proceeds will benefit CASA/LA, an organization that recruits, trains and manages court-appointed volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system. At present day, there are over 30,000 children in the foster care system who could benefit with the help of a CASA.
GLA ALA is the local source to promote, educate, develop, support and inspire more than 350 legal professionals throughout Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Riverside counties.
Please join GLA ALA in its campaign to raise awareness for CASA/LA.
Register at justicejog.org today!
Interested in volunteering to help with the event? If so, please contact CASA/LA Special Events Manager Tara Grand at 323-859-2888 x6311 or TGrand@casala.org.
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!
Help the American Cancer Society prevent kids from smoking by phone banking to pass Prop 56 – a $2 Tobacco Tax (if you don't smoke, you don't pay!). This year alone, 16,800 California kids will start smoking and taxpayers in CA will pay $3.58 Billion for tobacco-related healthcare costs. Volunteers are needed to get the word out and get voters to the polls! To sign up, go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a8af22a6f49-losangeles and all instructions are detailed. For more information, contact Primo Castro at 213-427-7394.
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!
Don’t miss Legendary Drag Queen Bingo benefitting Project Angel Food/AIDS Walk LA!!! The only work involved is having an awesome time while enjoying a night of BINGO, prizes, auction items, great food & drinks with amazing people! And, it’s in the heart of West Hollywood – Hamburger Mary’s at 8288 Santa Monica Blvd. Join in on the fun on Wednesday, September 28th at 9pm – and bring along your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors.
RSVP by CLICKING HERE or contacting Holly at 323-845-1816 or Holly@angelfood.org.
WHAT: The four-day event will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center September 29th-October 2nd 2016, bringing in the world's best riders and horses to LA to compete in the first major equestrian event following the Olympics. Big names who have participated in the Longines Masters of Los Angeles previously include Kaley Cuoco, Jessica Springsteen, Georgina Bloomberg, Jennifer Gates, Destry Spielberg, Reed Kessler, Richard Spooner, Paige Johnson, and many more. Notable attendees have included Bill and Melinda Gates, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Alfre Woodard, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf and many more.
WHO: The world’s best international show jumpers and horses
WHEN: 9/29 -10/2
WHERE: Long Beach Convention Center
ADMISSION: $25 -$235 (Pricing will vary) http://longinesmasters.com/en/ticketing
CONTACT: Sunshine Sachs | 323-822-9300
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles is looking for volunteers for their monthly screenings! NFMLA is a non-profit dedicated to supporting emerging indie talent by screening a diverse body of shorts and features each month.
Volunteers are needed for a Friday and Saturday once a month to help with set-up, reception, red carpet, ticketing, and breakdown. The evening is broken into 2 shifts, so when volunteers are not working, they can hang out and enjoy the event! To find out how to help, please contact Marissa@nfmla.org.
Don’t miss the LA Arboretum’s “What's Happening in Gardening” Series!
8 Thursdays, September 15-November 3
9:30am-12pm; $140 for the series; $25 per class
These classes are designed to help you keep up with garden news, trends, tips and pests. Each class begins with an open discussion and plant giveaway, followed by a lecture or hands-on workshop from one of the following speakers:
Sept. 15: Jose & Carrie Hernandez, CJ’s Organic Farm
CJ's Organic Farm grows heirloom vegetables, fruits, and herbs for year-round weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) baskets. They also sell organically grown heirloom vegetables and herb starts for your garden at the CJ’s Organic Farm booth at the Villa Park Farmers’ Market in Pasadena on Tuesday mornings.
Sept. 22: Nancy Bird, Rocks for Your Garden
Nancy Bird, rock expert and owner of NancyRocks, will show beautiful colorful rocks that will compliment your garden. She also will explain the Bureau of Land Management rules and permitting procedures for collecting rocks for free!
Sept. 29: Jill Morganelli, New Gardens & Garden Renovations at the Arboretum
Join Jill Morganelli, the Arboretum’s Horticultural Supervisor, for a discussion about the improvements being made in the gardens to enhance the Arboretum experience for visitors.
Oct. 6: Harold Koopowitz, Fall Blooming Daffodils
Harold Koopowitz currently is first vice president of the American Daffodil Society and editor emeritus for the Orchid Digest, which he edited for 10 years. He is well known internationally for breeding both slipper orchids and miniature daffodils. He is Professor Emeritus of biology in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Irvine. He will be signing copies of his new novel, Diamonds and Disas: The Further Adventures of George and Matilda.
Oct. 13: Joe Brosius, Magic Growers
As production manager at Magic Growers, Joe Brosius is responsible for propagating and growing all plant material products. He also is a partner in the nursery and a past president of the L.A. chapter of California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers (CANGC). Joe received his degree in ornamental horticulture from Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.
Oct. 20: Christine Anthony, Cook Now from Your Garden & Plant Now in Your Garden
A seasonal look at the edibles you're harvesting now and what to do with them, followed by a discussion of what is best to plant now for your meals in the months to come. Christine Anthony, the Renee's Garden Seeds rep to the Arboretum and a UCCE Master Gardener, will share practical tips learned from life long experience in the garden and the kitchen. Please be prepared to share your recipe ideas and gardening tips with one and all.
Oct. 27: Nicholas Staddon, The New American Garden
Nicholas Staddon travels the United States and the world in search of new trends and great plants for American gardens. In his lively and informative presentation, he’ll discuss some of the issues facing American gardeners today: invasive plants, the water situation, the plight of the pollinators, and what the solutions might be. Nicholas also will share some of his very best plant suggestions for our region.
Nov. 3: Leigh Adams: Permaculture: A Gardener’s Perspective
Interpretive horticulturalist and creator of the Crescent Garden, Leigh Adams will give us an overview of her experience working with Permaculture. She will then lead us on a private tour of the garden she created “behind the scenes” at the Arboretum.
Looking for a way to give back to our veterans? Join So Cal Quilts of Valor for their Sew Day as they make quilts for our nation’s heroes!
This volunteer activity is FREE. If you want to bring a sewing machine or a project to work on, you may; OR you can use one of the classroom machines to sew quilts using Quilts of Valor’s kits to be given to military veterans when finished. If you don't sew, but want to help, they need help with ironing, trimming threads, sorting fabric, etc. For more info, please contact Barbara Winkler at 562-925-7673 or email info@socalqov.org.
To see photos quilts the organization has made and the many recipients who have received these items, please visit www.socalqov.org. So far this year (in only 5 months), Quilts of Valor has presented 309 quilts to veterans of all ages, including almost 100 from WWII!
