Big Sunday Volunteer Opportunities for Los Angeles Families

5/10/14 - By Audrey M

Big Sunday Weekend (May 1-3, 2015) is a time for residents all over Southern California to come together to serve the community; more than 50,000 volunteers are expected to participate. The weekend offers a fabulous opportunity to introduce children to volunteering; even toddlers and preschoolers can help weed, pick up trash, draw cards for troops, and feel the joy of helping others. And you could check off #61 on our list of 100 Things to Do in LA With Kids Before They Grow Up by helping out on a beach clean-up as a family! The weekend is special—spirits are high; people are excited; a huge variety of projects is available for all age groups (see a small sample below), and work is done. And if you've ever noticed people wearing Big Sunday t-shirts in past years, that's because everyone who volunteers gets a free tee.

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Hundreds of projects are listed on Big Sunday's website. To fully search all of the opportunities, register (free!), then search by minimum age, geographical area, or topic of interest, and sign up for your choice.  Many schools, nonprofit groups, temples, and churches host events. Unable to attend an actual event? The folks at Big Sunday thought of that, and have arranged other ways to help. The profiled projects below represent just a small sampling of projects that are still open for all ages, 8 and up, and 12 and up.

All of the specific events listed in this post are from years past; to participate in 2015 check for events directly on the Big Sunday website.

All Ages

Compton Creek Clean-Up with Heal the Bay
123 Artesia Blvd
Compton, CA 90220
Sunday, May 18, 2014, 1pm-4pm
Maybe you've done a beach clean-up on our list of 100 Things to Do in LA With Kids; here's your chance to expand to other worth bodies of LA water.

Children's Bureau Big Sunday Bookfair
Magnolia Place Family Center
1910 Magnolia Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Saturday-Sunday, May 17-18, 2014, 8:30am-3pm
Friendly volunteers are needed to assist families in selecting free books and having a great time. Participants can also create flower pots made with cardboard and tissue paper and deliver them to local senior citizens.

Ramon C Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts
450 North Grand Ave
Los Angeles 90012
Sunday, May 18, 2014 10am-2pm
Help clean the campus and garden, check out the art fair and solar-powered concert, put together blanket packs for a local mission, or make Big Sunday's signature papier-mache flowerpots that go to local shut-ins. This site is also hosting a lemonade stand.

Beagles and Buddies 
23430 Highway 18
Apple Valley 92307
Friday-Sunday, May 16-18, 2014, 8am-6pm
Beagles and Buddies no-kill dog rescue needs help at its new Apple Valley facility. There is painting, weeding, fence building—and 100 dogs need walking and bathing! Dogs are also available for adoption. B&B holds adoption events every weekend in Montebello and Aliso Viejo if you cannot make it to Apple Valley.

Ages 8 and up

Bathe the Bassets at Daphneyland
6221 Shannon Valley Rd
Acton, CA 93510
Sunday, May 18, 2014 1pm-4pm
This no-kill sanctuary for more than 60 homeless Basset Hounds could use some help bathing (and rubbing the bellies of) their loving pups.

Hit the Trails Morning Ride 
1850 Riverside Dr
Glendale, CA 91210
Sunday, May 18, 2014 9am-1pm
Serving breakfast and hitting the trails sounds like a pleasant way to give back - especially when some of the volunteers get to do their bit on horseback!

Ages 12 and up

Wash Cars with Kids from Covenant House
1325 N Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Saturday, May 17, 2014, 9am-3pm
The annual Big Sunday Carwash supports kids in a needy orphanage. Helpers age 12+ and dirty cars are both welcome.

Other Opportunities
Are you unable to attend a Big Sunday event, for whatever reason? Big Sunday has thought of you!

Lemonade Stands

Big Sunday has partnered with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to help find a cure for pediatric cancer. Anyone can host a lemonade stand anywhere! Anywhere can be at a school, church, or other event, or even at the end of your driveway. Simply register online, register the details of your lemonade stand, and it will be posted. Proceeds must be sent in within two weeks.

Donation Dropoffs

Big Sunday has compiled a list of drop-off donation sites. There are sites taking clothing, books, games, e-waste, toiletries, non-perishable foods, school and art supplies, pet supplies, baby supplies, even cardboard boxes and packing tape! Many of these sites are accepting donations starting the week prior to Big Sunday.

Originally published April 30, 2012

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