About us
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
1

Dates for 2026 Events
Location not specified yetHi friends!
Is everybody doing okay?
For the past 1.5 years, I've tried to avoid the news--but admittedly, I sometimes peruse headlines and social media to be somewhat familiar with what's going on in the country / world.
Sigh.
Hopefully you all are doing well and staying safe, strong, and sane.
Similar to when life was stressful & scary during the Covid pandemic, I sought self-care and mental health relief through going outdoors in nature and volunteering.
If anyone else is interested - I'll share some future dates of potential things I might get involved with.
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Camping & Hiking
Late Feb or March - if anyone wants to look for wildflowers -- especially since late last year had some rain, then maybe this year will have some colorful flowers...so if anyone wants to go to Death Valley, Anza Borrego, Carrizo Plain, Antelope Valley, Malibu, Joshua Tree, or elsewhere -- lmk.
May 20 - 25 (Memorial Day Weekend) @ Yosemite
I was EXTREMELY lucky to find a campsite in Yosemite Valley. Viewing waterfalls and the beautiful scenery of Yosemite always calms me. It's such a relaxing place to recover from the craziness of the world and stress of daily living.July 4, 5, or 6 - 11 (Fourth of July) @ Glacier National Park in Montana - This isn't 100%, but I was incredibly lucky to find a campsite, so if hiking trails and Going to the Sun Road are open, I'd love to return to heaven on earth / paradise.
July 14 - 18 @ Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming - I haven't planned a summer camping trip since 2023 to Rocky Mountain NP in Colorado, so it's definitely time to get back into camping, hiking, and viewing wildlife.
July 18 - 24 @ Yellowstone National Park - same as above
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Volunteering
Despite some people being hateful, racist, and xenophobic bigots--I try to be an open-minded, friendly, kind, and loving person...so although I'm Christian, I aspire to be accepting and welcoming of everyone.
I'm not Muslim nor Middle Eastern, but I like kind humans, so I'm gonna try to join one of these...either
Saturday, July 31 or Feb 7 related to Ramadan in Santa Ana
If anyone else is interested, feel free to join:
https://volunteer.irusa.org/opportunity/a1VUb000002n6r8
or
https://volunteer.irusa.org/opportunity/a1oUb00000bjEnt.
Being around animals helps my mental health, so on Saturday, Feb 21, I might return to a small farm animal shelter in Chatsworth.
If anyone doesn't mind getting dirty and doing physical / manual labor, feel free to join. They also serve a vegan lunch afterward. :)
https://www.kindredspiritscarefarm.org/animal-rescue-and-sanctuary
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Adaptive Surfing is always inspiring & uplifting. I might have scheduling conflicts, but if I'm available, then I'll try to attend:
June 6 @ Santa Monica
August 22 @ Huntington Beach
September 19 @ La Jolla Shores (north of San Diego)
October 3 @ Santa Barbara
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I anticipate volunteering (and traveling) less for the children's grief / bereavement camp, Comfort Zone Camp, but I might still help occasionally.
I'll post more in the future, but for now, if anyone else is interested, this year's dates are:
March 27 - 29 (SoCal - Angeles National Forest, NE of Glendale)
May 15 - 17 (SoCal - Angeles National Forest, NE of Glendale)
August 7 - 9 (Northern California...north of SF / Bay Area)
October 16 - 18 (SoCal - Angeles National Forest, NE of Glendale)
In recent years, their SoCal camps were near Northridge / Simi Valley, but this year it'll be at a different location.
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btw, if anyone has family or friends in Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, etc.) -- the kids who attend are wonderful.
The Florida camps are sometimes low on male volunteers, so please spread the word if you know someone who might want to help:
April 24 - 26 @ Central Florida, north of Orlando
November 13 - 15 @ Central Florida, north of Orlando
I've helped with 4 camps in Florida in the past 2.5 years, and will try to return this year.
There's also a new camp location this year in Tennessee. If anyone knows someone in/near Nashville, they might need volunteers.
I usually help with the camp in Southern California, but if they need me, then I'm open to flying there--so if you or anyone you know wants to help, they might need support
October 16 - 18 @ Tennessee, near Nashville
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Okay--that's it for now.
I'll try to add more volunteer opportunities in the upcoming weeks & months.
I'm sorry in advance if I'm slow to respond to comments / emails.
I honestly am tired after work, and so exhausted that I procrastinate in logging in-- so thank you all for your patience and understanding.
And again, if anyone is struggling and suffering--please remember you are not alone.
Believe in yourself. Love yourself.
Cheers!
5 attendees
Past events
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