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.
Group Service Opportunities
Corporate Opportunities: Interested in getting your company or large group involved? We have a few opportunities available:
- Groups 3-15, check out our Guest Chef Program
-
Corporate groups (15 or more), host a donation drive!
- Gift card drive
- Housewarming Baskets
- Hygiene Kit Drives
- Blanket Drive
- Back to School Backpack Drive
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in doing something different? We have the following opportunities available:
- Data entry
- Outreach Supply Organization
- Misc. Office work
- Host a Workshop
- Serve Dessert
- Tutoring
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
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.
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.
Regular volunteers commit to serving at The Center 1+ days a week in the capacity of participating in or leading groups, attending coffee hour, cleaning, or assisting with office work. Weekly shifts range from 1.5-8 hours per shift.
As an example one of our regular volunteers, Tim, leads a group called “Timspirations” in which he shows an array of inspiration videos from across the web. He then leads the group in a discussion on their reflections and anecdotes about the clips.
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.
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:
-
- 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:
-
- 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!
