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 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. The 2017 Festival will be held on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 at the University of Southern California and they would love to have you join as a volunteer.
Last year over 150,000 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. Volunteer t-shirts will be provided 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 April 5, 2017.
After you express interest in this opportunity, you will be sent further instructions on how to complete your volunteer registration.
For Heal the Bay, every day is Earth Day, but in honor of the 47th annual worldwide observance on April 22, Heal the Bay is celebrating for a solid week!
Heal the Bay’s Nothin’ but Sand clean-up on Saturday, April 15, runs from 10 a.m. to noon on the north side of the Santa Monica Pier. All clean-up participants will be rewarded with free admission to the Aquarium, which opens at 11 a.m. that day.
On the following Saturday, April 22, special activities throughout the day will commemorate the official day to celebrate our planet, during the Aquarium’s regular hours of 12:30 to 5 pm. Make a biodegradable planter, enjoy a special Earth Day story time at 2 pm, or visit a wildlife station on the west end of the Pier. At 1 pm and 3 pm, join Heal the Bay for “Who Pollutes?”— an interactive lesson in keeping our waterways and ocean healthy. Best of all, admission to the Aquarium on Earth Day will be FREE courtesy of The Albright!
Schedule:
- 1:00-4:00pm – Wildlife Observation Station (West End of Pier – next to Harbor Patrol)
- 1:00pm – “Who Pollutes” Presentation
- 2:00pm – Story Time and live animal presentation
- 3:00pm – “Who Pollutes” Presentation (repeat)
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.
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!
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. The 2017 Festival will be held on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 at the University of Southern California and they would love to have you join as a volunteer.
Last year over 150,000 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. Volunteer t-shirts will be provided 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 April 5, 2017.
After you express interest in this opportunity, you will be sent further instructions on how to complete your volunteer registration.
300 Poets. 50 Schools. 1 Champion.
Join Get Lit at the largest youth classic poetry festival in the world! Judges include Neil Hilborn, Duckwrth, Demi Adejuyigbe, & more! A few happy, helpful volunteers are needed to pitch in with the 2017 Classic Slam and ensure its runs smoothly. Interested? If so, please contact Rachel Kilroy at 213-388-8639 or rachel@getlit.org for more info on how you can get involved. All ages are welcomed!
Schedule of Events:
- 5 – 8 pm (Grand Slam Finals)
Shift:
- 3 – 9 pm
Need an internship? Want to strengthen your resumé? Are you working or retired and want to share your knowledge and wisdom with someone? Youth Policy Institute is looking for volunteers to commit to a 6-month mentoring program to engage and make a difference in the lives of youth. Participants will mentor at-risk youth between the ages of 16-24. Please note: there is a training requirement for all participants.
Types of Mentors
- College and Career
- Group mentoring
- One-on-one
Rewards
- Experience
- Trainings
- Field Trips/Outings
- Personal fullfilment
To apply, please visit http://bit.ly/mentorinterestform.
For more info, please contact Mentor Coordinator Leah Hirst at ysedvolunteers@ypiusa.org or 323-978-1027.
Become a volunteer for Meals on Wheels West (MOW) Los Angeles and help deliver meals between 10:15 am and 12:30 pm any Monday – Friday! Student volunteers are always welcome at MOW. Younger students can help with various tasks in MOW’s office or be paired with one of their regular drivers or with a parent to help deliver food to clients. High school and college students who already are licensed drivers are especially appreciated as reinforcements to MOW’s regular corps of volunteers. MOW is happy to record your community service hours and send that information to your school.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunity!
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.
Venice Community Housing has a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from regular on-going projects to one-time experiences. For more info on VCH’s current volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.vchcorp.org/volunteer/.
For all opportunities, volunteers must be over 18 and complete a background check, unless offering an approved one-time service. Tutors are required to hold a B.A (A.A will be considered). Regular availability and experience with mentoring low-income youth preferred.
To get involved with VCH, please complete a Volunteer Application and contact Paola Fontana at pfontana@vchcorp.org.
Please note: These activities are ONGOING.


