What we’re about
Shortcut to Calendar - https://www.meetup.com/LosAngelesVolunteers/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 wisejunkemail@gmail.com
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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Description from the previous group organizer(s):
"People Helping the Community is a group of individuals who have the common interest to help those in need. Our members will team up with other organizations from all over Los Angeles to provide support wherever it's needed. We are active, and provide a variety of monthly volunteer events from feeding the homeless, trips to orphanages, visiting senior centers, Reading to Kids, Habitat for Humanity, and other great events."
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Another person, Derrick ?, started this group and is the original organizer. I don't know what happened, but other people became organizers, and for a period of time, no volunteer/community service events were posted, and when the previous organizer stepped down, I started posting events so members in this group could still participate and get involved with the original goal & mission of helping people.
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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/LosAngelesVolunteers/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/LosAngelesVolunteers/events/218808844
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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/LosAngelesVolunteers
...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 People Helping the Community and set "Meetup reminders" to "Never"
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 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
