As we reported last week, May is the Month of Big Sundays – a whole month of terrific volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and interests. To support this great effort, each Monday in May we’re listing the week’s Big Sunday projects still seeking volunteers in our general area, to help you and your family find some great ways of having fun while doing good. Just click on the links below to sign up…or – if you want to do more, have a specific interest not represented here, or would like to travel a bit further – go to the full Month of Big Sundays calendar to see what else is happening in other parts of the city and/or a bit later in May! (And yes, these projects can provide the community service hours many high school students are looking for at this time of year!)
Mid-town LA Big Sunday events for May 8-14:
Help Out at Big Sunday’s MM@10
May 8 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, at the Big Sunday office, 6111 Melrose Ave.
MM@10 (Monday Mornings at 10) kicked off during the 2016 Month of Big Sundays and became so popular that the organization continued the program weekly. Each Monday morning, from 10 – 11:30 a.m., it hosts a service project at its offices on Melrose. Volunteers have done everything from making cat toys for local animal shelters to creating cheerful gift bags for seniors at a nearby senior home. This week they’ll be sorting clothes for a whole bunch of organizations.
Donate Items to Big Sunday’s theBIGlist
May 10 @ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6111 Melrose Ave.
Every week Big Sunday hears from people in the community who have things to give away – everything from dining room sets to pianos to theater tickets. At the same time, their nonprofit partners call with emergency needs – everything from beds to clothes to clerical help. Big Sunday has happily played matchmaker for a long time with its theBIGlist online service. Each Wednesday in May they’re having an open house for folks to drop off items to be posted on theBIGlist and donated to nonprofits needing items.
Help Out at Big Sunday’s TM@10
May 11 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 6111 Melrose Ave.
Big Sunday launched TM@10 the summer of 2013 for just a few weeks, but the program was so popular, it started doing them every week. Here’s the deal: Each Thursday morning, from 10 – 11:30 a.m., it hosts a service project at the Big Sunday offices on Melrose. Volunteers have done everything from assembling birthday gifts for folks in shelters (so that everyone there will have something to open on their birthday) to writing letters to soldiers stationed overseas to making quilts for preemies. This week they’ll be making Mothers Day cards and gifts for Alexandria House.
Help Out at Pico Union Project’s Vida Sana
May 11 @ 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM, 1153 Valencia Street 90015
The Pico Union Project is a multi-faith and cultural center that puts to action the principle “to love your neighbor as you want to be loved.” They use song and story, theater and dance, ritual and prayer, and activism as tools to enable people to better know their neighbors and themselves. Vida Sana is a health and wellness fair that provides safe space for families in their neighborhood in need of physical, social, and spiritual nourishment. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up and clean-up, greeting visitors, distributing food, and facilitating activities, and also learn about their fellow Angelino neighbors.
Pitch In at a Mural-Painting Project with Leo Politi Elementary School
May 13 @ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2481 W. 11th Street 90006
Join Leo Politi Elementary School in a huge mural-painting project. Volunteers of all ages can assist in painting inspirational quotes around school, touching-up the current rainbow around the palm court, placing stepping stones leading to the school’s Kindergarten yard, and much more.
Join The Garden School Foundation for a Garden Work Day
May 13 @ 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 2055 W. 24th Street 90018
The Garden School Foundation will host a fun project that will benefit GSF by allowing them to introduce more families and community members to their flagship garden space. They will be able to cultivate community building while educating attendees on how an urban city can sustain green space that engages our youth and provides learning opportunities. This project allows GSF to build community partners that support its seed to table program throughout the school year. It also allows GSF to showcase how a garden-based, experiential curriculum can benefit an undeserved public school. In its flagship garden at 24th Street Elementary School, the group will host hands-on cooking workshops, garden activities, and arts and-crafts projects. Attendees will be treated to a fresh menu of delicious lunch options curated by a selection of like-minded restaurants.
Help at Covenant House California’s Annual Car Wash Benefit
May 13 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 1301 N. Western Avenue 90027
Covenant House is hosting a car wash that raises funds for the organizations Skid Row service project and an orphanage in Mexico. Covenant House is a shelter for at-risk and homeless youth from the ages of 18 – 24 years old. Pitch in by either washing cars or sending your family, friends and colleagues by for thorough car wash benefiting two great causes! Volunteers 16 and up are welcome (teens must have adult supervision).
Pitch In at Michelson Found Animal’s Pet Adoption & Ice Cream Social
May 13 @ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6111 Melrose Ave.
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation is hosting a fun project for both humans and dogs. The goal is to bring the community together through a pet adoption event that leads to shelter pets finding their forever homes. The event will also heighten awareness about the importance of microchipping pets so they can be reunited if lost. There will be opportunities for volunteers and the public to make pet toys and blankets out of fleece. The public will learn about opportunities to spend time volunteering with pets. Lastly, humans and dogs can participate in the ice cream social.
Prep & Pack Meals for Sick Clients of Project Angel Food
May 14 @ 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 922 Vine Street 90028
Team up with Project Angel Food to help prepare and package 1,200 meals for the organization’s seriously ill clients. The folks at PAF believe food is medicine, so pitch in, show some love and help with this much-appreciated project. Volunteers 16 and up are welcome.
