What we’re about
Shortcut to Calendar - https://www.meetup.com/LAVolunteer/events/calendar
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Hi.
Thanks for checking out our group.
A quick note to any who message(d) me – Meetup has a weird bug where anyone can email (me) an organizer, but if you're not a member of this group or another group we're mutually both in, then Meetup won't allow me to respond. It might be an anti-spam feature. So if anyone messaged me in the past, I'm sorry for not replying. I honestly tried, but Meetup's messaging system is strict. If anyone doesn't want to join this group, but has a question, try emailing me at [email protected]
Okay...now about our group:
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This group is different.
Various volunteer opportunities are posted.
Events are flexible. You choose what interests you and fits your schedule, availability, and geographic area.
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If you want to make a difference and "be the change,"
Consider volunteering for community service events.
Giving back & helping others is rewarding, fulfilling, and satisfying!
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, gathering in large groups is not recommended, so meeting new people is tricky right now. However, many people are struggling and suffering, so if anyone feels comfortable going out in public, a few volunteer events are posted in this group, so you and a few others are welcome to participate in helping our neighbors and fellow Americans.
COVID-19 is dangerous and possibly deadly, so please do not leave home unless you understand and accept the inherent risks, and can/will take the necessary safety precautions to protect yourself and others.
During these difficult and scary times, fortunately some kind, caring, compassionate, and good-hearted people are here to lend a hand and help others in need.
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Examples of volunteering:
https://www.instagram.com/socalvolunteers
https://www.facebook.com/socalvolunteers/photos/?tab=albums
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3 groups to choose from:
• Volunteer in LA — https://www.meetup.com/LAVolunteer
• People Helping the Community in LA — https://www.meetup.com/LosAngelesVolunteers
• SoCal Volunteers United in OC — https://www.meetup.com/SoCalVolunteers
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FYI: Many people ask, so I'll mention it here. Wiseman sounds like a fake name, internet moniker, or nickname, but it's my real name. Ironically, I'm pretty dumb. ;)
And if what I look like matters, use a web browser and go to https://www.meetup.com/LAVolunteer/members/69743242
and under my main photo, click on "Tagged photos" and you can judge me...and decide if you want to join our group/events/trips. :)
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Introduction & Elaboration:
https://www.meetup.com/LAVolunteer/events/154455182
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Suggestion:
If anyone joins this group, editing your email settings is recommended. Many "reminder" emails are automatically sent everyday by Meetup.com, which can become annoying and overwhelming. Changing email preferences takes a few seconds and is worthwhile.
After joining this group, go to https://www.meetup.com/account/comm/LAVolunteer
...and set "Meetup reminders" to "Never"
Feel free to change other settings to reduce emails.
For anyone using the Meetup app, in the lower right corner, click "Profile"
...then in the top right corner, tap the 3 vertical dots and then "Manage notifications" and then "Email Updates" and scroll down to tap Volunteer in LA and set "Meetup reminders" to "Never"
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Excerpts by JFK:
"Never before has man had such a great capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world."
"We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world."
"My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
"Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."
— John F. Kennedy
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Quick Summer UpdateNeeds location
Hey friends!
How's everyone coping with this hot weather?
The first half of 2024 has been wonderful and amazing.
Hopefully you all are doing well.
The second half of 2024 will continue being busy for me.
For the remainder of this year (and probably next year), I'll continue volunteering for a children's camp (Comfort Zone Camp).
If anyone else is interested, two future SoCal camps are during weekends in August 23 - 25 and October 11 - 13, and one Northern California camp is during August 2 - 4.
New volunteers are asked to attend an online orientation meeting.
There's one this Tues & Wed, 6 - 8 pm. (Sorry for the short/late notice).
https://www.meetup.com/lavolunteer/events/301848061
There also will be other training meetings in July & August.
If anyone knows a good person (e.g. family member, friend, etc.) who lives in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, or Utah -- and who is fun & safe with kids -- they might need more volunteers, especially guys.
Dates of some children's camps (in California and other states) I might attend are posted at the bottom:
So I was thinking of camping in Eastern Sierra for Fourth of July weekend (next week), but the weather near Bishop looks insanely hot -- so it might not happen.
My camping trip to Oregon and Washington should still happen.
If I can finish what I need to do in the next few days, I might stop by an event in Cerritos / Norwalk...either on Sat or Sun.
If anyone else is available and wants to volunteer, feel free to check out
Angel City Games
https://angel-city-sports.vomo.org/opportunity/angel-city-games-2024
For those who recently messaged me -- sorry for the delay -- I'll try to respond in the upcoming days. I honestly have been super busy. Sorry. :(
Some people are struggling with inflation, rising costs of rent, health insurance, car insurance, food, gas, cost of living, etc..., so if there are any free or low-cost events you want to do with other people -- please feel free to share your ideas / suggestions.
Even though I'm a horrible organizer and a ghost for the past few months/year -- I still want many of you to do well, be happy, make new friends, etc.
You are welcome to plan (and lead / manage) events without me. Our group has some cool people, so maybe others can join you.
btw, if any of you want to plan your own trip or find a travel buddy or activity buddy to join you, then lmk.
I'm sometimes (i.e. frequently) slow to reply -- but I sincerely welcome your ideas/plans, and want you to find friends to do stuff with.
A few group members are currently in Canada for Banff & Jasper -- and I'm extremely happy for them. I think they met from our group camping trips. haha. So hopefully a few of you can make new friends too. Awwww yeah!
I won't be around much for the upcoming weeks/months, but I'll try to be available if anyone has a question or request. Thanks everyone.
Stay cool and have fun this summer!
Cheers!
My tentative plans for 2nd half of 2024:
July 4 - 7 @ Eastern Sierra (maybe not anymore due to hot weather)
July 8 - 12 @ Northern California & Crater Lake National Park
July 13 @ Portland, Oregon
July 14 - 19 @ Olympic National Park
July 19 - 20 @ Seattle, Washington
July 21 - 26 @ Mt Rainier National Park
July 27 - 30 @ North Cascades National ParkAug 2 - 4 @ children's camp in northern California
Aug 9 - 11 @ children's camp in Salt Lake City, Utah
Aug 12 - 15 @ Yellowstone or Grand Teton (Wyoming), or Glacier (Montana)
Aug 16 - 18 @ children's camp near Salt Lake City, Utah
Aug 23 - 25 @ children's camp in SoCalSept 6 - 8 @ children's camp near Charlotte, North Carolina
Sept 13 - 15 @ children's camp near Richmond, Virginia
Sept 20 - 22 @ children's camp near Detroit, Michigan
Sept 27 - 29 @ children's camp in Salt Lake City, UtahOct 4 - 6 @ children's camp near Raleigh, North Carolina
Oct 11 - 13 @ children's camp in SoCal
Oct 18 - 20 @ children's camp in Orlando, FloridaNov 1 - 3 @ children's camp near Richmond, Virginia
Nov 28 - Dec 1 @ Atlanta, Georgia (not 100%)Dec 18 - 31 @ Toronto, Canada
- Lunch for the Homeless & Community (Long Beach) [Morning or Afternoon]First Congregational Church of Long Beach, UCC, Long Beach, CA
Preface:
This is automatically posted on a recurring basis.
This event does NOT occur during July or 1st weekend in December.
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Hi.
Here's another suggestion for a possible volunteer meetup.
I myself might not attend, but you and other group members can still attend without me.
Meetup allows group members to host events without the main organizer (me); so if anyone wants to be the point-of-contact for others, lmk.
Even if nobody else from this Meetup group signs up, more likely than not, there will be other people there.
After many years of attending different volunteer events, I've seen most people who join such events are kind, caring, friendly, positive, and good-hearted people.
So if you decide to attend this, you should have a decent chance of meeting some quality people, even if they aren't from our Meetup group.
To reiterate -- my goal and intention is to post various volunteer opportunities, especially since people have different schedules/availability, and live in various parts of SoCal.
SoCal traffic is bad and everyone has limited free time, so my hope is to suggest different volunteer opportunities so people have more options.
A librarian might not have read every book in their respective library, but they can still help others find books.
So regardless if I personally attend this event or not, if you (or any others) do go, I sincerely hope you have a positive, meaningful, and rewarding experience.
Thank you for helping others.
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Clarification:
I'm not affiliated, associated, nor connected.
Similar to a family member, friend, or co-worker sharing on social media about a restaurant, movie, book, song, etc. they like, I use Meetup to share about volunteer opportunities.
A librarian might not have written the books in a library, but s/he can still recommend books to the public.
So I'm simply suggesting some volunteer events that I think others might be open to helping with.
If you're new and/or want a further explanation, refer to:
https://tinyurl.com/volunteer-clarification
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I try to spread the word about volunteer opportunities and raise awareness about non-profits/charities that do good work.
This event is from
Urban Community Outreach's Drop in Center
https://www.ucodic.org/what-uco-does
https://www.ucodic.org/drop-in-center
http://www.firstchurchlb.org/involvement/justice-outreach-2
https://www.facebook.com/urban.communityoutreach.9
The Drop-in-Center "is a community center for homeless people and the working poor in down town Long Beach. We strive to provide a haven from the weather and the harsh conditions of the streets on Sunday afternoons."
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Volunteers are needed:
in morning with food/meal prep (9 am - 1 pm)
and/or
in afternoon with serving lunch and distributing items (1 pm - 3pm)
No need to bring any food. Everything is provided by them (ingredients, knives, cutting boards, utensils, gloves, etc.).
Volunteers can choose when to arrive and how long to stay. Your choice.
This is fairly flexible. For example, if someone arrives at 9 am or later, but can't stay until 1 pm, it should be okay to leave earlier (like 11 am, 12 pm, etc.).
The morning involves preparing the meal (washing & cutting vegetables, preparing other ingredients, cooking, etc.).
The afternoon is for serving food, cleaning up, etc.
Anyone is welcome to help. Even though this is at a church venue, being Christian or religious is not required nor expected.
"Children 16 and under are welcome, but must have one parent or guardian for every three children attending."
Wearing appropriate clothing is recommended and closed-toe shoes are required (no sandals, flip flops, etc.).
Street parking is usually free on Sundays, but please check signs/meters to confirm.
To get to the kitchen area, please avoid the church entrance. Instead, on the side of the church building, on Cedar Ave, next to the brick wall, look for an archway and door.
https://goo.gl/maps/dno8N1Qh1PU2
"Enter through the steel mesh gates...Go to the courtyard where you will see glass windows and our dining area to the left. Sign in and a coordinator will get you started."
This should occur on most Sundays (except in July and the first Sunday in December).
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To help, sign up at
http://signupgenius.com/go/UCOLB
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To repeat, if interested in helping, registering with them is needed. Signing up here on Meetup is insufficient. They have their own sign-up process. Due to COVID-19, many places prefer to limit # of volunteers (to allow for physical distancing), so if serious about helping, sign up with UCO. They can provide more info/details (e.g. when to arrive, where to park, what to bring, etc.).
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Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.810609952382383