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.
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.
Enjoy meeting other people while helping others? Like to cook? If so, Project Angel Food needs you to help prepare healthy meals for the sick! The organization’s devoted volunteers of all ages represent the diversity of Los Angeles. They are at the heart of all Project Angel Food does, so they pride themselves on the strong sense of community amongst volunteers and staff alike.
Kitchen volunteers join a fun-loving group of compassionate people each day to do everything from chopping, stirring, mixing, baking and packaging meals. You don't even need to know how to cook … only how to take direction from their kitchen chefs. They could use your valuable help!
Two shifts are available: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 – 3:30 pm. A weekend shift on Sunday is also available from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm.
Please sign up HERE or contact Project Angel Food at volunteers@angelfood.org.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunity!
STEWARDS AND JR. STEWARDS HABITAT RESTORATION
The Bolsa Chica Land Trust Stewards and Jr. Stewards meet twice each month – the first Sunday and third Saturday – to restore native habitat at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Take part at 9 am (till noon). Meet at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve North Parking Lot (3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA).
Come plant and water native plants, remove non-native plants, pick up trash and other maintenance tasks. Help the Bolsa Chica Land Trust heal our local environment! Please “dress for mess” with long pants and closed toe shoes (like sneakers) and plenty of sunscreen. That’s it! You’ll be taken care of from there with plenty of instructions, tools and equipment, information about the ecosystem, and water and snacks. All are welcome, but please note, there is limited access for those with physical disabilities. For groups of 25 or more, please call ahead to 714-846-1001 or email Erin@bclandtrust.org extra equipment & snacks can be provided. Volunt
eer slips are available for school credit.
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.
