Knit or Crochet Warm Hats and Scarves for the Troops
There’s something about receiving a handmade item that warms the heart, especially when you're deployed. Why? Because every moment of time, talent, and energy poured into a handmade item is an expression of deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of the service members who receive their Care Packages. In the cold winter months, Operation Gratitude includes a lovingly handmade scarf or hat in every Care Package they send to the Troops. To make that happen, they need the knitting and crocheting talents of many Volunteers across the country. For detailed instructions visit: https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks/handmade-with-love/
Provide Gifts for Homeless Youth of My Friend’s Place
My Friends Place is a great drop-in resource center in Hollywood offering comprehensive health, education and therapeutic services each year to 1,400 homeless youth and their children. This holiday season, My Friends Place would like to deliver gifts to 250 homeless youth during their Decemberember 13th Holiday Party.
They are in need of the following items: $10 gift cards (grocery stores, Target, CVS, etc.); $10 fast food gift cards (Subway, Jack In The Box, El Pollo Loco, etc.); new scarves and gloves; new hoodies (all adult sizes); new sleeping bags; new headphones/earbuds. If you are unable to do a drop off, please consider giving through their Amazon Wishlist! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AICMXW1D8492. To coordinate a donation drop off or for more info on hosting a Gift Drive or Giving Tree, please contact Daniel Lee, Development Assistant, at 323-472-4579 or dlee@myfriendsplace.org. If you can help, please provide all donations by Decemberember 7!
Thanksgiving in Venice Beach
For the past 6 years, a large group of volunteers ranging from all ages... come together to feed, clothed, handout toiletries and many smiles to the less fortunate community of Venice Beach. Lost Angels Org has partnered with other non-profits such as Send Me a Penny Foundation and Have a Sole, to successfully have over 300 volunteers each event and serve over 350 people who may not have a family to spend the holidays with, and are living on the streets.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-in-venice-beach-tickets-75237259669?aff=ebdssbdestsearch#
Take Part in Big Sunday’s Annual Holiday Party & Sing-along
This is one of our favorite events of the year! Each Decemberember, people from all walks of life join us to eat, sing (with a live band!) and enjoy the holidays during Big Sunday’s Annual Holiday Party & Sing-along. Special guests have included low-income seniors, kids with special needs, women and children from a domestic violence shelter, vets and others who needed a little extra TLC at the holidays. Join us December 15 from 3 - 5 pm! We'll also be collecting toys for kids, food for hungry families and winter coats too! Donations can be dropped off November 1 - December 9 at 3 pm when the party kicks off! (BTW: Singing -- good, bad, or ugly -- is welcome but not required!) For more info, please contact Pablo Lenero. http://bigsunday.org/get-involved/donate-now/
Featured Projects
Serve Breakfast to the Homeless with St. Francis CenterDanielle Rayner, danielle@sfcla.org, (213) 747-5347
Serve Breakfast to the HomelessSince 1972, St. Francis Center has provided relief and support to homeless and extremely low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles. Much more than a soup kitchen or a food pantry, they offer a unique range of services to sustain and empower those in need. Welcoming all with joy, dignity and compassion, they dedicate every day to Serving Hope in their community
Event Description: This Breakfast program is part of their Homeless Well-Being Program. Their homeless and near-homeless brothers and sisters are welcome to join them for breakfast Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 am and Mondays from 7:15 – 8:15 AM! They serve between 200 and 300 men and women each day. Help serve a hot breakfast meal in the morning before school or work for their guests experiencing homelessness.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities: Volunteers will help staff with set-up for serve, and clean-up after breakfast. Breakfast service tasks include serving coffee, working in the kitchen, cleaning tables, resetting tables, and offering a smile.
Requirements: Wear closed toe shoes and comfortable clothing. Time Commitment: Volunteers are needed from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Age Restrictions: They are happy to host volunteers ages 8+ (parent/guardian supervision required for volunteers ages 8-13). Please remember to fill out a minor volunteer waiver form if minors (under 18) are attending projects link here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NFq6bGhCNiLwqZ58WlWfeRvuVHYFiwqT/view
Click here to sign up: https://www.stfranciscenterla.org/volunteers/
Sr. Margaret Farrell, mfarrell@covca.org, (323) 461-3131
Our great friends at Covenant House California reach out to at-risk homeless youth living on the streets and offer them hope and opportunities to turn their lives around. They help abused or neglected youth who have nowhere else to go. Christmas Day is a very difficult and rather emotional day for the youth at Covenant House. Each year they try and have Santa visit in the morning and it greatly helps cheer the youth. For the holidays, they would like someone to sponsor Santa for their residents on Christmas morning. The Big Sunday community has helped with this for years. Will you be this year’s “Secret Santa”? To help, contact Sister Margaret at mfarrell@covca.org or call (323) 461-3131.
Serve Dinner in the Park with Union Station Homeless ServicesNatalie Hammond, nhammond@unionstationhs.org, (626) 240-0720
For 47 years, Union Station Homeless Services has hosted Dinner in the Park on Thanksgiving Day! This uplifting community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays. The impact of the event in the community is large because of your help! Registration for volunteers opens on Friday, Novemberember 1st at 9:00 a.m. and you can register on their website at www.unionstationhs.org that morning. For more information you may also call the Dinner in the Park info line at (626) 240-0720 or email volunteer@unionstationhs.org.