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.
SeniorServ provides services to over 1,000 frail, isolated, homebound older adults daily who are in need of companionship. Many homebound elders are lonely and do not or cannot reach out to others.
If you find joy in making a difference and enjoy listening or talking, friendly visiting is the right volunteer opportunity for you. Volunteers visit in the home of the older adult and offer warmth, friendship and understanding to make life more meaningful.
Volunteers play an important part in the elders' well-being by helping to restore feelings of self worth, dignity and promoting independence. Volunteers are needed throughout Central, North and West Orange County. Families are encouraged to volunteer.
Requirements
Volunteers will need a California Driver's License and proof of automobile insurance, or have a legal guardian who can provide the above mentioned items.
Before being matched with a senior, the volunteer completes a background check, necessary paperwork, and meets with the Volunteer Manager for an interview and brief training.
For more information, please contact Linda Molthen, Volunteer Coordinator, at lmolthen@seniorserv.org or 714-229-3377. Visit http://www.communityseniorserv.com/get-involved/friendly-visitor.html for more details.
NOTE: This is an ONGOING weekly event.
There are countless ways to volunteer and make an impact in someone's life at LA Family Housing (LAFH). Below are just a few examples!
Dining Hall: Interested in an opportunity that includes more interaction with clients? Work alongside LAFH’s fabulous kitchen staff to prepare a meal and visit with individual residents in Bridge Housing as they dine. Volunteer individually or groups up to 20 can be accommodated.
Donation Sorting: Are you a natural organizer? Do you like hands-on work? LAFH receives a wide array of in-kind donations such as household items, personal care products, and clothing. Help their staff in organizing and sorting these donations. This is a great team-building opportunity for groups!
Welcome Desk: Are you friendly and helpful? Assist LAFH’s busy staff in fielding resident questions at Bridge Housing for individuals. Individual opportunity. Training and regular commitment required.
Office Support: Are your closets meticulously organized? LAFH wants your help to sort, file, label, and perform other fun organizing tasks that involve reams of paper and electronic data.
Share your Talent: Do you have a talent or skill that you would like to share with LAFH residents? They would love to learn it! Recent activities include filmmaking and journalism workshops, singing lessons, sewing and cooking instruction, sports club and dance classes.
To schedule a tour or learn more about any LAFH volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@lafh.org or 818-255-2775.
NOTE: There are ONGOING weekly volunteer opportunities!
Instructor: Master Arnold Chien
Tai Chi is a martial art based on the theory of an ancient classic called “I Ching”. Kinetic Tai Chi is created by Master Chien based on this foundation coupling with contemporary Physics of potential & kinetic energy. The training sessions include striking, throwing & submission techniques. There are 10 levels of form to advance. Combining this advanced physical routine with Tai Chi’s rich thinking, students will benefit lifelong health, achieve mental superiority and enjoy high level combat skills.
Thursdays
9:00am-10:30am
Winter 1st: 1/26, 2/02, 2/09, 2/16
Winter 2nd: 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16
Spring 1st: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/04
Spring 2nd: 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/01
Cost for Classes:
- $35 per month – members
- $45 per month – non–members
- $15 Drop In – per day
- 10% discount if you sign up for 2 sessions
Pre-registration preferred; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Grandmaster Arnold Chien is the founder of Kinetic Tai Chi, 2012 & 2014 Kungfu master at USC Pacific Asia Museum & 2008 Chinese idol in martial art category. In 2013, he became the first instructor to teach Tai Chi at the legendary Gold’s Gym Arcadia, CA. Chien’s heavy focus on the principle of softness to conquer hardness has helped students to achieve not only the physical limitations, but their mental ones as well, thereby reach the ultimate level of “soft as silk and hard as steel”.
Tickets are now available for LA’s biggest gala on the pier! On May 18, come party for a purpose at Heal the Bay’s annual Bring Back The Beach Awards Gala on the upper decl of the Santa Monica Pier.
Once you step onto the classic wooden planks of the iconic Santa Monica Pier – and walk down Heal the Bay’s famous blue carpet – you will be transported to a playful, cozy pier paradise for an enchanting evening of live performances, beautiful sunset views, dinner, dancing, special guests and so much more.
While the famous faces and fruity cocktails are sweet, it's everyone’s shared passion
for the ocean that makes this night so special.
The Gala typically raises over $1 million for research, advocacy, and education programs that have led to cleaner coasts and increased public awareness about the challenges facing L.A. County's beaches and watersheds. In addition, Heal the Bay centers the evening around an awards ceremony that recognizes honorees who have made a big impact on the Bay.
Will you attend the Gala?
Please buy your tables or individual tickets as soon as possible. This event sells out every year. If you have any questions or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Danie Eley at 310-451-1500 or bbb@healthebay.org. For tickets and info, please click HERE.
SoCal Quilts of Valor cuts and sew quilts to present to military Veterans to thank them for their service, welcome them home, and help them in their healing. They also trim quilts when they come back from quilters and attach the binding and label, then they get hand stitched and washed in preparation for being awarded. The group meets every Thursday, except holidays. Come for as long as you can! For more info, please contact Barbara Winkler.
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!
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.
Don’t miss the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary’s 2017 “Weed Warriors” Saturday Volunteer Days! Weeds can alter habitats and have negative effects on wildlife. Volunteers help remove 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, close-toed 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. It fulfills community service requirements
Please sign up via the link: https://goo.gl/forms/hOcNhQmHFzXUHdHm2
For more info, please email jrosales@audubo.org.
Schedule
January 21; February 11 & 25; March 11 & 25; April 8, 15, & 29 (1:30pm – 4:30pm); May 13 & 20
9am – 12:30 pm each date (*except April)
Beginning and Ending Time: In January, February, March and May the time is from 9 am – 12:30 pm. In April the time is from 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm.
Instructor: Crescent Farm Staff
Learn about water conservation and sustainable gardening, with hands-on experience! The Crescent Farm, located in the heart of the Arboretum just west of Baldwin Lake, is a reclaimed landscape where we explore new and ancient horticulture techniques for water conservation and food production. This is an educational training series. Please bring gloves, drinking water; wear close-toed shoes and a hat.
May 20 – Weaving / Basketry
Learn to use your bio-mass (plant waste) to create garden structures. Simple weaving techniques can use leaves as cordage, branches as trellises, tomato cages, shade shelters, and various long lasting leaves as weavers. Design and build compost structures, plant guards and soil traps in your own Crescent Garden.
June 17 – Crescent Farm Horticulture
Explore horticulture at Crescent Farm. Tour our choices for low water lawn alternatives, California native ethnobotanic plants of our local indigenous tribes, arid climate orchard trees and native wildflowers! Get ideas for your home landscape from our New California Landscape. Growing tips will also be discussed.
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.
