Local nonprofits and organizations offer ways to volunteer, give back to community this holiday season
As our thoughts turn to the holidays and ways to give back, local nonprofits are inviting the community to get involved, donate and volunteer with their organizations. We reached out to Westchester/ Playa nonprofits to learn about their upcoming projects and asked them to share how the neighborhood could support their efforts as we head into the holiday season. Below is our round-up of local organizations offering volunteer opportunities and ways you can help make a positive impact on the community, whether you’re passionate about the environment, mental health, seniors or anything in-between. If you are feeling extra generous, make sure to visit these nonprofits’ websites and social media pages on Giving Tuesday (November 30) to donate to their worthwhile causes.
up to $1,500 in donations. The first week of the drive is sponsored by The Book Jewel. And of course, WPV is always looking for passionate volunteers interested in supporting seniors. Learn more at thewpv.org.
Help feed those in need at the Westchester Family YMCA.
The Westchester Family YMCA has always been a community hub with a variety of opportunities for people to get involved and be of service. Since February, the Y has been hosting a weekly produce distribution event on Wednesdays for anyone in need through a partnership with FeedLA. In order to make the distribution of items like lettuce, fresh fruit, and a rotating selection of veggies, go quickly and smoothly, the Y is looking for volunteers to assist people with signing in and passing out bags. Volunteers are needed through the end of the year and can sign-up at ymcala.volunteermatters.org/ project-catalog/873 or by emailing JasonRamos@ymcaLA.org. The distribution events are held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Y’s Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone St. in Westchester. The Y is also looking for support for its Painted Pantry Project. The pantry, which is located in their parking lot, is stocked with readyto-eat snacks, drinks and shelf-stable food items available to all. The pantry is open 24/7 and is supported by the generosity of community members. For those interested in donating to the pantry or volunteering to clean and restock items, please email John Sharpe at john@sharpeonline.com.
Submit your Makeover Project ideas to the Westchester Rotary Club to support a community space.
In September, the Westchester Rotary Club unveiled the more than $100,000 in upgrades and hundreds of volunteer hours its members contributed to the Emerson Avenue Community Garden as part of its Makeover Project, which happens every two years. Since COVID delayed their work at the garden, the club’s next large-scale project is scheduled for 2022, and they’re currently looking for ideas on a worthwhile location to transform! The community is invited to submit suggestions for the club’s next big undertaking that embodies the spirit of Rotary and allows the group’s volunteers to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. In the past, the club has selected the Westchester Senior Center, local homes, the Westchester Townhouse and Venice’s Safe Place for Youth. Visit rotarywestchester.com for more info and to share your thoughts. Once the project is announced next year, volunteer opportunities will also be available.
Participate in Westside Pacific Villages fundraising drive to support seniors.
Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) has been adept at pivoting quickly throughout the pandemic and is always looking for ways to meet the needs of its members, so it’s no Page 4 • November 2021
Donate blood with the LAX Coastal Chamber. From top: 1. Westchester Rotarians help beautify the Emerson Avenue Community Garden as part of their Makeover Project. Photo by Lek Pollard. 2. A volunteer helps with transportation at WPV. 3. The Y’s Food Pantry is open 24/7 for anyone in need.
surprise that more positive changes are coming to the Westchesterbased nonprofit focusing on helping seniors age in place. WPV recently announced that it has created a new membership fee structure to support even more local seniors after retiring its free WPV CARES COVID emergency response program. The new reduced fee for membership is now $250 per year, with monthly payment options available. WPV has also added a program to help
low-income seniors receive services, regardless of their ability to pay. This month, WPV is hosting a fundraising drive with the goal to raise $12,000 to provide 50 seniors with a full year of its services, which include transportation to appointments, technology assistance, social support calls, friendly visits, helping with light chores and more. During each week of their fundraising drive through the end of November, a sponsor has committed to matching
The LAX Coastal Chamber is hosting a blood drive this month in honor of one of its members. The community is invited to sign up for the Thursday, November 11 event by visiting cedarssinai.org/giveblood and using the group code BDKD. During the drive, the Cedars-Sinai bloodmobile will be located in the CVS parking lot at 8900 S. Sepulveda in Westchester from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors should be in good health and must be at least 17-years-old to participate. As an added bonus, donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream or a limitededition T-shirt as a thank you. (continued on next page)
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