Of course, everything Big Sunday does is made possible by the unbelievable kindness and generosity of the Big Sunday community. And, of course, that community consists of people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.

We’re often especially amazed by the many, many great kids and teens who pitch in and help us out in all kinds of ways.  That said, we’re very pleased to introduce the Big Sunday’s Kid of the Month!

This special section will call attention to a kid – of any age from tiny tots to young adults – who have helped Big Sunday and somehow gone above and beyond and inspired people young and old to see what one big-hearted person can do.

If you have someone who has helped out at any kind of Big Sunday event, anywhere, and you’d like to nominate them to be Big Sunday’s Kid of the Month, great! Please contact us at [email protected]. Tell us who they are, and what they’ve done. Anyone 21 and under is eligible.

Anne C.

Meet Big Sunday’s newest Kid of the Month, Anne C.! Anne is an incredible 18-year-old attending UCLA, where she is studying math. She originally heard about Big Sunday through her boyfriend, as his family often volunteers at our events.

Anne’s favorite Big Sunday event so far has been our MLK Day clothing drive, where we sort and package clothes for those in need! She enjoys this event because she loves how we start the day with a massive mound of clothes in the street, and seeing it empty at the end of the event makes her feel so accomplished. Her motivation to volunteer comes from how much she loves using her time to help others, and one of her favorite memories at Big Sunday is when she and her twin met another set of twins that also go to UCLA!

When she is not volunteering, Anne enjoys playing volleyball, practicing the piano, and exploring the city with her friends. She also helps out at the United States Youth Volleyball League as a volleyball coach! While she isn’t sure what she wants to do after college, she is excited to continue pursuing something math-related. Anne’s friendly spirit and excitement about helping others is why she is our newest Kid of the Month!

Abbey F.

Each month, Big Sunday highlights an incredible kid from our volunteer community who is dedicated to helping others and making a difference! This month, we have chosen Abbey F., a kind and caring 9 year old who first heard about Big Sunday when we did a project at her school. Her mother became interested in our events, and now the whole family joins in on the fun!

Abbey’s favorite Big Sunday activity is painting wooden hearts and peace signs, which we give to people transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing to help decorate their new home. Abbey says the knowledge that she is helping others and bringing a smile to their face is what motivates her to volunteer. She has many memorable experiences with her family at Big Sunday, and can’t wait to make more at our next event!

When she is not spending time at Big Sunday events, Abbey enjoys working on a lemonade stand in her neighborhood to help the homeless and also volunteers with Food on Foot. She wants to continue helping the homeless as she gets older, and eventually wishes to make a career out of it! Abbey’s enthusiasm for helping others and her passion for supporting the homeless in our community is why we are highlighting her as Kid of the Month!

Matthew H.

Meet Matthew H., Big Sunday’s Kid of the Month! Currently a senior at Hollywood High School, Matthew heard about Big Sunday through his school’s Key Club.  At 18 years old, he is excited to begin a new adventure in the fall when he hopes to attend college and major in Psychology.

Matthew’s favorite Big Sunday event is our MLK Day clothing drive, when everyone gets together to sort clothes for those in need! He loves this event because it shows how people care for each other and would happily give their time to help others. This compassion for others and the knowledge that he can make a difference is what motivates Matthew to volunteer. One of his favorite memories from a Big Sunday event was at MLK Day, when he and his friends were sorting through the clothes and got to see the wide range of trends and styles that people had donated.

When he is not spending time volunteering, Matthew enjoys playing the guitar and hanging out with friends. He is also involved in badminton club, where he gets to connect and create bonds with his clubmates. Eventually, Matthew would like to become a detective so that he can further dedicate himself to making the community a better and safer place. It is because of Matthew’s kindness, commitment to his community, and genuine enjoyment in helping others that we selected him as the Kid of the Month!

Olivia J.

Once a month we highlight talented youth that are constant supporters of Big Sunday, this month we present to you, Olivia J. She is a quick witted 14 year old, who attends El Segundo High School in the lovely city by the sea. The Jamner’s usually attend our events as a family unit, so it makes since that Olivia found out about Big Sunday through her father, who found out about us from their temple.

We all have things we are drawn to in the multitude of events and activities we host at Big Sunday. The one event Olivia pointed out she enjoys the most is our Spooky Sunday event. She volunteers in our haunted house every year because she enjoys making kids smile. That smile comes shortly after a startling fright, but it’s a smile non the less. These smiles are what motivates her to return month after month, no matter what the event is. These good times eventually become great memories and Olivia describes one of those memories here, “My favorite memory was at the Veterans Affairs center. My family and I closely bonded with an elder man and it made my experience 100% better that day”. This goes to show that you can make a huge impact by simply making a connection and not always having to create or purchase anything.

When away from the doing good for others, Olivia enjoys reading, playing soccer and volleyball. This active lifestyle will do her good as she grows older. In that older age, Olivia looks to become a Pediatrician because she enjoys working kids and families. Finally, aside from Big Sunday, she dedicates her extra time to the temple she attends and an organization called Share Hope. For this and countless other reason, we have selected Olivia as the Kid of the Month.

Jonah J.

Like the sand through an hour glass, it is time to flip the script and start the acknowledgement of the new Kid of the Month, Jonah. He is an energetic 12 year old, who attends El Segundo Middle School in El Segundo, CA. He was introduced to Big Sunday through his father, who thought they should leave their small city and go out and help others.

When volunteering your time, though making and assembling things are fantastic, sometimes a simple conversation does just as much. Jonah noted that his favorite Big Sunday event was our Vets Night held at the West LA Veterans Affairs. The project was creating blankets for the Veterans and playing a game of human bingo. During the game of human bingo Jonah was able to speak with the Vets about their personal lives and things they have accomplished, and it was this time that was most rewarding to him. Jonah has a driving motivation to help others for a higher purpose. Speaking about what motivates him he said, “I like to help others because if we help the less fortunate the world will be a world with no hate”. That’s a novel way of thinking about thing and it all came from a 12 year old.

When free to do as he pleases, Jonah enjoying drawing and signing in the shower. He has ambitions to become a teacher when he grows up because he believes that once a teacher teaches about history people are less likely to repeat it. Jonah has a general moto to life that many of us can learn from, “ Love your life and don’t ignore your problems”. The culmination of these characteristic makes him this month’s Kid of the Month.

Peanut

We are back again with a flashlight searching high and low for kids worthy of recognition. This month we highlight the youngest Kid of the Month to date, Peanut. She is a creative 9 year old, who attends Larchmont Charter. She first heard about Big Sunday from her mother, who is a teacher at a community college and annually has her class volunteer and donate to Big Sunday.

Normally people are attached to one project that speaks to them, but for this young lady, all of our events have anthropomorphized, because they all speak to her. She loves to help people and that’s a large part of what we do here at Big Sunday, so we are a perfect match. One of the motivating factors in why she continues to volunteer as she puts it, “to make a difference in people’s lives”. She has the utmost respect for all the volunteers that participate and the Big Sunday staff, which additionally keeps her participating.

When not devoting her time to others, Peanut enjoys the calming effect of being out in nature with animals. This personal fun is in line with her career goals with becoming a lifeguard, swim instructor or zoo keeper. Peanut has additional organizations that she is a part of, which include: Share-a-meal, Tree People and CHIRLA. These continued efforts to help are the reasons why Peanut holds the title of Kid of the Month.

Veonny R.

On our journey to finding a deserving kid to spotlight each month, we reached a summit and present Veonny R. She is a brilliant 14-year-old, who attends the International Studies Learning Center High School in South Gate, CA. She first heard about Big Sunday from a friend, who attended our events previously.

Though we have seen Veonny and her family at plenty of Big Sunday events, she stood out during our Holiday Sing-a-long. She was involved with the serving of food to the participants and graciously joined in the clean-up process after the event. Helping people is something she loves participating in. She is a self-proclaimed shy teen, so what motivates her to continue volunteering and interacting with a diverse group of participants is getting herself out of her comfort zone. Too often we find ourselves settling for what’s familiar and traditional rather than what’s foreign and uncomfortable, so it’s great to see someone so young challenging themselves. Veonny was challenged during her very first Big Sunday event, stating “I was overwhelmed in a good way with the number of people helping”. Luckily that crowd didn’t scare her off and she has been returning to lend a hand ever since.

The future holds many things for her, and with the portions of that future she can control, she would like to steer her career into the film industry. Knowing that there is never a dull moment, is what excites her about the opportunity. When away from the obligations of school, Veonny enjoys reading and writing her very own short stories. Her is our version of a short story, “ There was this girl named Veonny who worked hard and became the Kid of the Month; she lived happily ever after”.

Brandin S.

We are thrilled each month to introduce you to an active youth, who volunteers at Big Sunday; this month we focus our attention on Brandin S.  He is a precocious 12 year old, who attends LACES (Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies) in the Faircrest Heights area of Los Angeles. He first heard of Big Sunday when he was invited to our Valentines Day card making event in early 2017. Since then, Brandin has been an enthusiastically helpful volunteer at many more events.

One of those events he was able to display all that enthusiasm was at our annual Halloween event called Spooky Sunday. He listed this event as his absolute favorite because he had a blast passing out candy to the many participants from his trunk or treat vehicle. This event in particular motivates him to continue volunteer work because giving back and helping the less fortunate is important and it puts a smile on their faces and helps them enjoy the holidays. Brandin recalls an unforgettable feeling of pride during our Back to School event while packing backpacks and getting them ready to deliver. Deliver he did during this event and countless others.

When away from the demands of school and giving back, Brandin enjoys traveling the country and going on camping trips with his boy scout troop. From here, Brandin has a long journey ahead of himself wanting to become a doctor or a scientist in order to help people in a major way. We wish Brandin much success in his future endeavors.

Celine S.

Meet Celine S., the new Kid of the Month. Celine is a 13 year old middle schooler, who attends Immaculate Heart in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. She is a part of a long list of volunteers that have participated with Big Sunday over the years from Immaculate Heart. So it should come as no surprise that she first heard about Big Sunday through her teachers and friends at school.

Celine found a comfort in her second event she attended, which was valentine’s day card making. She was enthusiastic about the event because she got to spend quality time with her friends while doing something nice for others.  That’s what she also says is what motivates her to continue volunteering; being able to help the lives of those that are less fortunate.  It doesn’t hurt that when she volunteers that she also has loads of fun and cross paths with hilarious kids. Just spending one Sunday dedicating your time to a good cause can go a long way.

Celine spends her time away from the demands of school by playing soccer; it is a passion or hers that has followed since she was a little girl. A passion she also caries is her love for people and making sure they are fairly treated, hence why she would like to pursue a career as a Lawyer. Continuing with this theme, Celine is also a part of non profit that allows her to adopt a family.

Gia J.

The tradition continues, as we shine a spotlight on a deserving youth committed to giving back.  This month we introduce to you, Gia; an athletic 13 year old, who attends Immaculate Heart. She started her journey with Big Sunday the way many youths find out about opportunities, through an older sibling.

Everyone has an event they are drawn to and that differs based on their personality. Gia was drawn to our Valentine’s card making event because its one of her favorite holidays and she was able to share it with one of her best friends. Though this specific event may have spoken to her, she continues to stay involved with volunteering because she loves helping others and it gives her a sense of pride. Its always great to have the younger generation at Big Sunday helping out because you never know what might happen. Gia recalls a memorable funny moment as her friend fell out of her chair while here volunteering. Whether its missing a seat or folding a sheet, people are constantly laughing and having a blast at events.

Gia is not always volunteering at Big Sunday, she is also involved in the Adopt-a-family program. When away from the willing nature of giving, Gia loves to play soccer and hang out with her friend, Celine. When she gets older, she has plans of taking over the family business from her father.

Abby H.

As the moon revolves around the earth and we reach a new month, so does the rise of the new Kid of the Month, Abby H. She is a spunky 13 year old, who attends Immaculate Heart high school in Los Feliz.  She first heard of Big Sunday through a teacher at her school, who refers many of their students to volunteer with us for service hours.

Like many of her classmates, Abby was initially motivated to volunteer to complete her community service hours for school, but found an appreciation for the work she was doing and decided to get involve more than required. At Big Sunday we don’t like to play favorites, but many volunteers have their favorite events. Abby took a liking to our Spooky Sunday event because of how happy the families were and how thankful they were. The event host low income families to a day of free costumes, food and candy. Abby recalled a touching moment during the event when a little around the age of 7 screamed with glee at how much fun she was having. These moments are all made possible by the love and support volunteers such as Abby provides.

When away from the structure of school and volunteering, Abby loves to stay active. She just recently joined a soccer club and is fully committed to a swim team. Abby sees herself defending those that can’t help themselves as a defense attorney, as a career path. We at Big Sunday are on the sideline cheering for all of Abby’s future success.

Bryson R.

Now this is a story all about how, a kid name Bryson helped around town; I’d like to take a minute just sit right there, Ill tell you how he became Big Sunday’s Kid of the Month. Bryson is an energetic 12 year old, who attends Inspire charter school in Durate, CA. His first interaction with Big Sunday was during our Valentine’s Day event, where he made a memorable impression on the staff.

There is an aura around many of our events, but Spooky Sunday seems to have a magnified reflectivity. Bryson enjoyed the experience of passing out candy to children who were so excited and so adorable in their costumes. Later that day he recalls having a blast scaring those same children as a volunteer inside the haunted house. He is motivated to volunteer because he wants to make the world a better place by stopping hunger, which is something that pains him to see in the world. As long as he is on this earth, he plans to continue to give back to others.

Outside of the world of volunteering, Bryson is a well-rounded and versatile person. He sees himself as an actor or a filmmaker when he gets older and can fully pursue his dreams. There is a love for the industry that he can’t shake, which also includes Disneyland. Though we are fortunate to have Bryson volunteer with us, he also devotes his time at SAG looking ahead and the LA Mission. This continued commitment to making the next day better than the past, makes Bryson this month’s Kid of the Month.

Ashley M.

Please never hold your applause for the Kid of the Month, Ashley M. She is a courteous 16 year old, who attends John Marshall High School in Los Feliz district of Los Angeles. Her first time encountering Big Sunday’s name, was from the Key Clubs president about upcoming events. The John Marshall Key Club has become a fixture at many of our big and small events.

Ashley has attended multiple events alongside the Key Club and has does so with a smile. That smile was at its peak when she volunteered at our Thanksgiving Stuffing event. This event captured her attention because of the thousands of people we were helping to feed. She spent part of the event decorating those very bags that would later be in the hands of families very appreciative of the added flair. Ashley is motivated to help others because she understands for every time she volunteers her time; one less person in the world will suffer. She stated, “The work I contribute gives me and someone else an awesome feeling”. When asked to pin point the most memorable experience for her at Big Sunday, Ashley politely responded that every times she visits is a memorable experience. We really appreciate those kind words, but none of what we do would be possible without passionate and helpful volunteers such as Ashley.

When free from the requirements of school and the duty of service, Ashley enjoys listening to music and making arts and crafts for fun. She also finds fun in children, hence why she would like to become a teacher when she is older. Being able to work with children allows her to contribute to the success of all of our futures. Aside from Big Sunday, Ashley spends a lot of time volunteering at her churches Sunday school as a teacher’s assistant. Ashley’s and our children’s futures are all bright due to this Kid of the Month.

Salma S.

Allow us to introduce to you, this month’s Kid of the Month, Salma S. She is a gregarious 17 year old, who attends John Marshall High School. If that High School sounds familiar, it may be because they were awarded as a Golden Ribbon School for their rigorous academic standards, or it’s because their Key Club members have been a continued reliable partner of volunteers for Big Sunday.

Salma first heard about Big Sunday through, what comes as no surprise, a Key Club meeting. That meeting was before our Movie night event, which she attended and has been returning to help out ever since. Salma’s favorite event that we host is our annual MLK Day clothing drive, where we sort, fold and bag clothing for needy families. She recalls having a blast with friends as they would throw themselves into the piles of clothing searching for a specific category or article of clothing. She continues to devote her time to volunteering because of the happiness it brings to those she is helping. She states, “If I can make at least one person happy through volunteering, then I am happy”. There was one smile during a MOBS event Salma remembers fondly; it was a little boy she met while gardening that was astonished by how many pill bugs they were uncovering. That level of cuteness would be memorable for anyone volunteering.

When away from the volunteering side of her life, Salma loves to draw. She usually keeps at least one sketch book on her whenever she is outside, so she can sketch in her down time. She sees her future working in children’s education or in a museum, art because she appreciates art and children’s education because she loves helping children. As President of the John Marshall Key Club, Salma organizes volunteer work with many organizations we partner with like Tree People, Jovenes Inc., Ronald McDonald House, and Skid Row Team.

Noah K.

Each month we highlight a kid who has devoted their time to helping others in need, this month is Noah K. He is a hardworking 16 year old, who attends Campbell Hall independent coeducational school in Studio City, CA.  We can credit a former employee of Big Sunday, Berenice, who was his former classmate’s mother, with introducing Noah to the volunteering world.

Entering the volunteer world, people naturally gravitate to things that interest them more than others. In Noah’s case, he feel in love with Big Sunday’s MLK Day clothing drive, where we sort and fold clothing to go to many different organizations in need around Los Angeles. Noah noticed how nice it was so many people were lending a helping hand, it grew his appreciation for the work he was doing. Looking back, Noah recalls feeling nervous for some reason before coming to Big Sunday for the first time. He soon found those butterflies dissipate due to the kindness of everyone surrounding him at the event. What motivates him to volunteer is something we hope many privileged young people realize.  “The fact that I have been given a lot more than most in life makes me want to give back to others”, Noah stated. Being self aware is a major part of being able to recognize the disparities that exist in the world.

When not giving a helping hand to Big Sunday for one off projects or recognizing how pleasant volunteers are, Noah can be found reading a good book or getting lost in a video game. As for a career, Noah does have an exact profession in mind, but he sees it involving mathematics, which is a field he excels in. Though Noah has been extremely helpful through Big Sunday he also has a passion for helping animals and will pursue that in his future of volunteer work. We want to congratulate Noah K. for being this month’s Kid of the Month.

Isabell C.

It brings us great pleasure to introduce to you, this month’s Kid of the Month, Isabell C. She is a detail oriented 17 year old that attends John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. At her school she is a member of a student organization focused on teaching leadership to members through humanitarian service for others called Key Club. It is there, where she learned from the previous Vice President, Camea Pascual, about Big Sunday and how popular the service events are to members.

Out of the many events we host, it’s usually hard to narrow down a favorite, but Isabell dwindled down the options and landed on Back to School. This event was specials for two reasons; first , it was her very first Big Sunday event she attended with friends, second, she recalls receiving backpacks filled with school supplies during her childhood and enjoyed creating  that moment for another child. Giving back is a huge motivating factor for Isabell, finding ways to lend her time to things that make an impact on the things and people she cares about. In her own words, she states, “What motivates me to help is the number of possibilities a person can help…my friends and I motivate and encourage one another as well.” In the process of giving back you are bound to cross paths with interesting and memorable people. Isabell did just that during A Month of Big Sundays, when she met an adorable little boy named Ethan at Wilshire Crest Elementary. Isabell and Ethan milled the soil and removed weed roots, all the while searching for rollie pollies and other bugs, even coming across a caterpillar.

When not devoting her time to Big Sunday or the Key Club, Isabell enjoys spending weekends with family or friends at the mall. On other days she can be found unwinding by painting, playing with her high energy dog, and playing video games like Pokémon or Legend of Zelda. She would like to professionally pursue a career in civil engineering with a concentration in structural properties. Her passion for this blossomed due to the structural engineering that created the staple center and the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, which left her in awe.  If you we haven’t already proved why Isabell deserves to be Kid of the Month, allow me to add a cherry on top. She is a part of 3 additional organizations outside of Big Sunday and the Key Club: ACE mentoring program (Architecture, Construction, Engineering), a program dedicated to mentoring student about each profession; Tree People, dedicated to bringing the Los Angeles community together to build a greener future; and Skid Row Team, volunteer organizations that provide resources to the homeless. Isabell deserves everything wonderful that comes her way, including this declaration as Kid of the Month.

Moorea B.

Start your thunderous mental applause for another deserving Kid of the Month, Moorea B. She is a diligent 17 year old, who attends Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies. Big Sunday was brought to her field of view 4 years prior, when we hosted an event at her school. She has continued to frequent our events at our office space since with a few friends.

Moorea has volunteered on multiple occasions, but found her niche with painting peace sings for MLK Day that went to various organizations around Los Angeles. Explaining why this project was one of her favorites, she stated, “I love art and so this activity catered to my own interest while benefiting my community”. Community holds a great deal of weight for Moorea and motivates her to give back. Hearing about the injustices and problems in her community leads her to feel obligated to do something to change it for the better. We could all learn a thing or two from Moorea’s mentality. The people you meet at Big Sunday is a part of the draw, and she has met some memorable and influential individuals while involved. She finds it very inspiring to talk to people who have dedicated their lives to helping out the less fortunate. On that list of inspiring volunteers we have encountered at Big Sunday, Moorea is near the top of the list.

When left with free time to enjoy the world offerings, Moorea takes pleasure in playing tennis and spending time with friends and family. Though she doesn’t have a set career she would like to pursue, Moorea wants to help in some way to curve the homeless and working homeless problem in Los Angeles, which is a result of rising property values. She wants a career that allows her to help people by creating more efficient living spaces. Moorea dedicates her time to the Girls Scouts, which she has been a member of since 2007 and as a math tutor for elementary students. Moorea has so many commendable attributes we could lose count listing them, which makes her a shoe-in for Kid of the Month.

Asiful A.

Allow us to be the bearer of great news, introducing you to the Kid of the Month, Asiful A. He is a respectful 16 year old, who attends John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. Asiful and many of his classmates have been a huge help to Big Sunday over the years. Like Asiful many of those helpful students are members of the John Marshall Key Club.

It should come as no surprise where he initially heard about Big Sunday, but what is surprising is the group’s commitment to returning and helping year after year.  Asiful was a valuable member of the small volunteering core who helped haul clothing from our warehouse to the streets early in the morning for our MLK Day event. His enthusiasm to support could have something to do with MLK Day being his favorite event, stating, “I like the idea of giving clothes to the poor”. The driving force behind his good deeds is his idea that its humanities duty to help the less fortunate. We are delighted we can provide the platform for which Asiful can create memorable experiences of giving back.

Asiful does such an amazing job impacting the real world; in order to relax, he likes to escape reality through video games. However, he is interested in creating reality by pursuing a career in engineering. You don’t need a VR headset to see this kid has what it takes to change the world.

Aniya B.

We are delighted to shine a ray of light on this month’s Kid of the Month, Aniya B. She is an affable 18 year old, who attends West Los Angeles College. Our organization was placed on her radar by an organization we are deeply familiar with and have partnered with for years, Safe Place for Youth. They have an array of supportive services for homeless and foster youth. So, when Aniya wanted to do something meaningful with her free time, S.P.Y sent her our way to get involved.

One of the projects that Aniya holds near and dear to her heart is making blankets for premature babies during our Monday Morning @10 events. This holds such significance for her because they are the most precious form of life on earth. With this as a starting point, finding out what motivates her to volunteer fits into the frame like a photo. She states, “I love to give a helping hand where it’s needed. I’ve always loved to be around people that care about others as much as I do”. Aniya’s caring and compassion is reflective of the waters around the Bahamas, crystal clear. We strive to be a welcoming bunch here at Big Sunday, but it’s always nice to hear from other how we come off. Aniya commented that the Big Sunday staff was a large reason why her volunteering has been so memorable and finding a sense of home was comforting.

When away from the deed of public service, Anyia enjoys dancing, gymnastics and school. As you probably could surmise, she wants to pursue a career where she can help others. She sees herself doing this one of two ways: First, by being an entrepreneur and creating a place for individuals who are facing hard times and need a helping hand; or second, becoming a social worker at the Department of Children and Family Services. This impressive teen has the world ahead of her, with a lot of drive to propel her towards the stars.

Elizabeth S.

For her continued help and peaceful nature, we would like to highlight Elizabeth as the Kid of the Month. She is a well mannered 13 year old, who attends Gabriella Charter School in the historic Echo Park area. Her aunt is to be thanked partially for this notoriety because she was the person who introduced Elizabeth to Big Sunday. The intention of the aunt was to get her children and niece the opportunity to give back to their community.

Giving back to her community in her words is, “…helping my community be stronger” and a stronger community takes time and effort, similar to making a muscle stronger. Speaking of muscles, Elizabeth’s favorite event is one where the heart is appreciated more than any other, Valentine’s Day. This day speaks to her because she feels those who get looked over the rest of the year finally can have a day where they are treasured and she has a hand proving that. She places great value in making sure every Valentine’s Day card she wrote had a unique cheerful message to brighten someone’s day.  These extensions of caring hopefully make for memorable experiences for all those involved.

When Elizabeth has free time on her hands, she likes to spend her time online and utilizing other electronics to stay connected. As far future endeavors go, Elizabeth would like to become a Doctor, using her interest in helping people in need to find cures for diseases. Elizabeth is a shining example of what it takes to be the Kid of the Month.

Kevin Z.

Big Sunday has the great pleasure of presenting to you, this month’s Kid of Month, Kevin Z. Kevin is a cooperative 11 year old, who attends Monterey Hills Elementary School in South Pasadena, CA. He first heard about Big Sunday while researching meaningful ways to give back on Martin Luther King Day. That is a sign of kid who understands the meaning behind the holiday and wants to personally make an impact.

That impact was felt when he hit the ground running on MLK Day, but the service continued as he volunteered his time for our Valentines-Making event the very next month. The event resonated with Kevin so much he labeled it as his favorite Big Sunday event. He also had a blast helping out the organization Food on Foot, which he found and participated in during A Month of Big Sundays. So you may be wondering, what motivates such a young person to get involved. Kevin stated, “Every time I attend a Big Sunday activity it makes me happy and I take pride in the work completed”.  That pride carried over to his volunteering during MLK Day. He recalls during the event, seeing many people working hard, though he wasn’t skilled in the art of folding clothes, he made himself useful by collecting a certain category of clothing and delivering them to the appropriate table. Kevin’s attitude toward volunteering is something to marvel at.

When not being marveled at for his giving spirit, Kevin enjoys exercising his mind playing Legos and chess, and exercising his body by swimming. He wants to pursue a career in engineering making convenient machinery for humanity because of his love for machines, cars, and robotics. Kevin has committed to returning to Big Sunday and getting friends and family involved. If they are anything like him, we are in good hands.

Jullian H.

Don’t hold your applause for the new kid of the month, Jillian H. She is a compassionate 16 year old, who attends North Torrance High School in Torrance, CA. She initially heard about Big Sunday through a family friend who invited her family along. Word of mouth is the best advertisement for any organization, and we appreciate every new volunteer that helps out as a result.

Enjoying a good time with family, friends and the community at large is a staple for a Big Sunday event, which Jullian experienced at her favorite event that we host, our Thanksgiving stuffing event. For many of our events she comes with friends, and sees it as a fun way to get together and help out. The best memories she has are sitting at the craft tables catching up with friends she hasn’t seen in a while. What motivates her to volunteer is knowing that a family on the other end will have a lasting memory of a holiday dinner from the 4 hours out of her day helping out. Jillian is a great example of youth in action and the bonding it can create between friends and community.

Like many teens her age, on the weekends,  Jillian enjoys hanging out with friends, staying active by running and finding ways to get the student body in the school spirit. For all the ways Jillian may be a typical teenager, she finds her uniqueness in her career choice. A career as a cosmetic chemist isn’t something you hear about every day, but it’s perfect for Jullian as it combines her two favorite things: chemistry and makeup. Aside from Big Sunday, she donates her time to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), California Scholarship Foundation and The National Honor Society. We are honored to list Jillian H. as this month’s Kid of the Month.

Gisell

It is a pleasure to introduce you to the youngest Kid of the Month honoree ever, Gisell.  She is a dynamic 11 year old, who attends Gabriella Charter School in Echo Park. Gisell’s introduction to Big Sunday was a joint effort between herself and her mother, who was looking for community service and decided on us.

Gisell has an infinity for the holidays, so it came as no surprise that her favorite Big Sunday event was our Holiday Party & Sing-a-long. She reveled at the opportunity to spread the joy of the holidays among others.  Gisell has an inherent motivation to help those less fortunate or in troubling times. She stated, “All the world’s problems motivate me to volunteer and help try to fix all the issues”. Her broad realm of concern is remarkable, considering its coming from someone so young.  Fixing all the world’s ills could take a lifetime, but fortunately Gisell has the benefit of time on her side. If she had to rewind the clock, the most memorable experience she had at Big Sunday was making Valentine’s Day cards with a bunch of strangers, but by the end of the event she recalls feeling more united with everyone in attendance. That experience speaks to the community building accomplished at each of our events.

When not trying to save the world, Gisell enjoys doing arts and crafts projects. She hopes to manifest this hobby into a career as an artist, where she will be limitless with imagination and expansive with creativity.  Aside from our organization, Gisell is an active participant with Tree People, an organization focused on the preservation of Los Angeles’ trees and landscapes.

Sergeo M.

We are pleased to introduce a new addition to the Kid of the Month ring of honor, Sergeo M. He is a resourceful 17 year old who attends John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. As a member of the John Marshall Key Club, Sergeo was introduced to a variety of volunteer opportunities, but felt the best place to donate his time was here.

When volunteering there is a range of efforts necessary to complete a task and no one knows that better than Sergeo. During our MLK Day event, he got plenty of steps in helping to bring all the clothing from our warehouse to the street, where they were sorted. Seeing the silver lining in the day, Sergeo stated, “Although all I did was move items, its been fun talking to others while doing so”. He enjoyed himself so much; he labeled the event his favorite out of all others.  Nothing makes Sergeo happier than seeing people smile and knowing he was a small percentage of why that occurred. Everything he does is for the greater good, which motivates him to continue on his path of helping. Doing the heavy lifting for those needing assistance isn’t much work in his eyes, but leaves a lasting impression on those impacted by his generosity. Sergeo chalks it all up to the spirit of Big Sunday; saying, “That’s what Big Sunday is about”.

When left to his own devices, Sergeo enjoys the company of friends, playing video games or simply relaxing.  As for a career, construction management peaks his interest in the supervision of people and events.  He sees this profession as an assimilation of his life style and noted the fun of interacting with other on the job. Sergeo donates his time with a great organization called Tree People or helping the homeless on Skid Row.

Amelie H.

We are delighted each month to showcase a youth active in volunteer work; this month we focus on Amelie H. She is a courteous 13 year old, who attends Immaculate Heart Middle School in Los Feliz. She was referred to Big Sunday through a friend from her school. Once she checked out our website and what we had to offer, she figured we would be a great fit for her to complete her volunteer hours.

Amelie has the artistic flair of a professional artist trapped inside of a middle schooler. This explains why she was drawn to the many arts and crafts projects we host at every event. Each person finds their niche of Big Sunday that speaks to them; painting, creating mosaics and other crafts is her calling. Amelie recalled returning to Big Sunday and seeing the mosaic she worked on during Big Sunday’s Thanksgiving Stuffing event hanging in our office as her most memorable experience. To elaborate on why that experience was memorable and why she is motivated to help, Amelie said, “It makes me happy to know that other people are benefiting from my volunteer work”.

In her spare time, she continues to enjoy all things that allow her to express herself through art, and also playing tennis against her mother weekly. She ultimately would like to take this love for tennis to the Olympics one day and pursue a career on the court. Amelie also commits her time serving food to the homeless at the Midnight Mission, Adopting – a – Family during the holidays and participating in Operation Gratitude. Her laser focus on her future and compassion for other makes Amelie a perfect example of Big Sunday’s Kid of the Month.

Ivan C.

We want to display the very best in the youth that volunteer here at Big Sunday, this month we spotlight Ivan C. He is a helpful 13 year old, who attends New Roads School in Santa Monica. Ivan was first introduced to Big Sunday through his mother, who wanted to find a community service event for the entire family to participate in. The whole family continues to be active participants in many Big Sunday events.

It isn’t a coincidence that the holiday event that is solely about bringing families together for a lovely meal, is also Ivan’s favorite Big Sunday event.  Our Thanksgiving Stuffing event fed over 2500 families, who would have otherwise had a less than ideal Thanksgiving dinner. Ivan enjoyed the event, not only because he was spending it with his family, but also because the food they packed were going to families in need to have a happy Thanksgiving. He continues to be motivated to volunteer when he sees a smile and knows it’s because of work he participated in. A time Ivan recalls seeing plenty of smiles were during our Holiday Sing-A-Long. He stated, “Being here during the Christmas party, where we were singing along with Christmas carols was my most memorable Big Sunday experience.” We can extract that Ivan’s appeal to volunteer work comes from the communal experience of accomplishing something for the greater good.

Away from the volunteer world, Ivan enjoys playing competitive soccer and playing video games with friends. His calling in life is to be helpful to as many people as possible, hence why speaking about his career goals he stated, “I would like to be an engineer … the future is about technology… I want to make something beneficial”.  Finally, as a teen volunteer, Ivan spends his additional time volunteering at the Silver Lake Library.

Camea P.

This Kid of the Month honor is long overdue; allow us to introduce you to Camea P. She is a passionate 17 year old, who attends John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. The John Marshall Key Club has been an active participant in nearly every Big Sunday event, and a large part of that is due to Camea’s organizing.  Through the Key Club she has been volunteering close to 3 years at Big Sunday.

Between those years of volunteer work, Camea singled out cookie decorating as one of her favorites. This activity happens every so often at different events, but the one she was most drawn to was the patriotic cookies we make for Veterans during our Vets’ Night and Dinner.  She is also drawn to the smiles of volunteers and those she are helping, which motivates her to stay involved.  Her words say it all; stating, “to volunteer is to make a difference in my community and become that little light of sunshine for a day”. Camea’s willingness to pitch in where needed makes her one of the lights of Big Sunday events. Her very first event was memorable due to her meeting her Key Clubs previous President and Vice President.  The executive team of the Key Club left a lasting impression and helped her realize volunteering can be more about fun with friends and less about logging hours on a sheet.

Away from the demands of volunteering, Camea is an avid tennis player. On a typical weekend you can find her out and about exploring Los Angeles’ famous landmarks and cafes or curled up enjoying interesting Youtube videos. With college looming around the corner, she has already pegged public health as her way to give back as a career. As if she hasn’t already done enough, Camea also volunteers with the Interact Club and Red Cross.

Ivan G.

We return again, this month to highlight a phenomenal kid named Ivan G. He is a proactive 17 year old senior, who attends St. Pius X- St. Matthias Academy in Downey, CA. Continuing the tradition of his many teammates, Ivan was referred to Big Sunday through his volleyball coach. We have become so familiar with their team, we feel invested in their success on and off the court.

Many people come to Big Sunday because they want to make a difference in the world, but don’t know where to start. Ivan realized he was making a difference while he packed boxes of canned food that would later be distributed to food pantries and others less fortunate than him. This activity impacted him so much,  he labeled it as his favorite volunteer opportunity at Big Sunday. In Ivan’s own words, he states, “I think seeing the less fortunate really motivates me because I see I can change with helping”. We appreciate all the help Ivan is willing to lend to us, which in turn helps hundreds of others. Big Sunday’s welcoming and caring environment is what he pointed to as the most memorable experience and why he continues to participate. For as much praise as Ivan has shown us, we are only a reflection of fantastic volunteers like him.

Away from the duties of volunteering, Ivan enjoys playing volleyball and basketball for his school. In the same vein of assisting those around him, Ivan would like to pursue a career in the medical field. If everything you’ve found out about Ivan so far isn’t enough; he also is apart of a campus ministry group and the Brown Scapular program, which is a treatment center that focuses on mental health and substance abuse.

Katie H.

Allow us to introduce to you a committed member of Big Sunday’s Youth Board and this month’s Kid of the Month, Katie H. She is a tremendous 16 year old, who attends Santa Monica High School. Her introduction to Big Sunday came through a family friend, she was surprised by her ignorance because of the great work we do around the city.

As we hear often, Katie said, “I really enjoy volunteering because it feels good to help others”. She really loves that Big Sunday helps people right here in Los Angeles and the work she does with us has a tangible affect on someone she may pass by on the streets. One of those impactful moments came during Big Sunday’s Back to School Night, where we sort and pack school supplies that go to local school children. We draw a large crowd of eager Angelenos wanting to help out during this event, which Katie called, “amazing to see”. During the event, Katie recalls taking a moment to capture the essence of what was really being accomplished that day, unity. She mentioned how great it was to see so many people from different backgrounds come together: Principals from schools, people who had volunteered for years, and little kids. The diversity and harmony created during this event is recreated every month during Big Sunday’s Monthly on Melrose.

Though school takes up a large portion of any child’s life, Katie makes room for the things that bring her joy. While playing viola in your schools orchestra maybe the end all for some youth, it’s just the tip of the ice berg for Katie. Her other interest include playing piano, hiking trails, serving up a match of tennis, and learning as a Girl Scout. As assorted as Katie’s hobbies are, so are her career aspirations, stating, “Im not exactly sure what I would like to do when I am older, however I would like to pursue a career that makes a positive difference”. This glimpse into Katie’s world reminds us that our youth are just as dedicated to change as we are.

Lizbeth A.

Allow us to introduce to you, a fantastic addition to the Big Sunday community and this month’s Kid of the Month, Lizbeth A. She is an extraordinary 16 year old, who attends Bravo Medical Magnet HS in East Los Angeles.  With only one year left in school, we want to honor her dedication to Big Sunday before she leaves us for college.

Every person has an origin story with Big Sunday, but hers comes with a twist. Back in 2013, Lizbeth was a 7^th grader at Bethune Middle School, where Big Sunday hosted a school beautification event. Fast forward to 2017, Lizbeth still returns to Bethune to participate in the beautification project, and this year went a step beyond by hosting a lemonade stand for the Big Sunday Emergency Fund. The funds raised by her lemonade stand supplemented the cost of building a ramp up to the house of a physically disabled veteran. Lizbeth has been present at so many Big Sunday events, one could lose count. The one she singled out as her favorite was Spooky Sunday. She, along with the other Youth Board members hosted a Trunk or Treating car, playing games and handing out candy to participants. Her enthusiasm for the event is evident in her quote, “It was so awesome seeing so many people dressed up … I can’t wait for next year’s event”. Lizbeth didn’t have to wait long before being amazed by Big Sunday again. Her most memorable experience came at Thanksgiving where she helped make blankets for cats and dogs, saying “I thought that was so amazing because they even give back to family pets”. Comparatively, we are just as astounded by her dedication, commitment and spirit for helping others in need. Whether it’s collecting books for a drive or pulling weeds in a garden, Lizbeth has been a reliable volunteer with a positive attitude every step of the way. In fact, the affable nature is reciprocated; noting that she loves volunteering at Big Sunday because of all the kind people she meets.

Away from being a commendable volunteer, Lizbeth is an excellent student; being recognized by the National Honor Society at her school. As a member of the NHS, she also volunteers her time at marathons/races and hospitals. Those two activities aren’t by chance, she is an avid runner, enjoying track and soccer and seeking a future career in optometry. With Lizbeth’s level of focus, we don’t see anything stopping her from obtaining her goals. By all standards, she has exceeded expectations and is an exemplary model for youth in action.

Alfredo R.

Meet Alfredo R., the new Kid of the Month. Alfredo is a 17 year old senior, who attends St. Pius X- St. Matthias Academy located in Downey, CA. He isn’t the first great volunteer from the academy; many others have passed through Big Sunday events and left with lasting memories. That would explain why Alfredo first heard about Big Sunday through his volleyball coach.

Alfredo found his calling with packing canned food into boxes for multiple organizations. He explained that this was his favorite Big Sunday activity because it makes him realize how fortunate he is. The work we do here at Big Sunday speaks to many people in different ways; some look outward as they reflect, while others get introspective. Alfredo described his motivations for volunteering, saying “What motivates me to help others is that I think of GOD and how he helped others”. Whatever it takes to get you involved, we are thrilled to have you take part in Big Sunday’s activities.  Alfredo enjoyed the exuberance from the staff first hand, while volunteering during our Valentine’s Day event. He recalled everyone making the experience memorable by being so friendly and welcoming.

When free from school and the duties of being on a volleyball team, Alfredo enjoys chatting with friends. Having great communication skills is what likely landed him the position at St. Pius X – St. Matthias as school Ambassador. Later on in life, he aspires to become a mechanical engineer; where he gets to tinker on the cars of his dreams. We look forward to seeing this young man reach his dreams and seeing him return to Big Sunday.

Isabella Z.

Allow us to present to you the shining star of this month, Isabella Z. She is a friendly 12 year old, who attends Hale Charter Academy. Her mother, Stacey, was the person who initially introduced Isabella to Big Sunday. From then on they have been actively apart of numerous Big Sunday events.

Though, we are known best for our major Monthly on Melrose events, the smaller ones like MM@10 and TM@10 also have a considerable impact on the volunteers.  Isabella’s favorite Big Sunday activity was a TM@10 that she led alongside her mother, where volunteers tie-dyed old Big Sunday shirts. She appreciated the fun it was for everyone involved and the event incorporating a skill she was familiar with. Isabella and her mother have returned to host one of these projects, yearly ever since.  The thoughts that are conjured while helping others is a motivating factor for Isabella while volunteering. While volunteering you will likely encounter friendly individuals who will make an impact on you. Berenice and Rob were stand out members of Big Sunday’s staff that had a lasting impact on her, stating “they’re just nice and fun people”.

Outside of volunteering there is a lot more to Isabella’s day to day. She enjoys drawing her own comic books based on a video game called Undertale, which she also plays.  Another big portion of her hobbies that exclude volunteer work is listening to music and discovering new artist. As far as professions go, Isabella’s options span as wide ranging as her hobbies; including author, illustrator, or marine biologist. As a cherry on top for all the amazing work Isabella does, she is also a member of Big Sunday’s Youth Board and a volunteer at California Wildlife Center.

Roberto M.

Each month we search for a talented and deserving youth to spotlight to the Big Sunday community; this month we shine the light on Roberto M. He is an inquisitive 17 year old, who attends John Marshall High School. The John Marshall Key Club was Roberto’s introduction to the wonderful world of Big Sunday, and since that introduction he has been an active participant in over half of our Monthly on Melrose events. Key Club is the largest and oldest, international student-led organization which provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character, and develop leadership.

Roberto reflected on which Monthly on Melrose event was a favorite of his, and settled on our Thanksgiving Stuffing event. During this event Big Sunday does a large collection, sorting and bagging of Thanksgiving related food items that are then distributed to thousands of people in need. Thanksgiving is one of our biggest volunteer essential events we host at Big Sunday; Roberto and the John Marshall Key Club have been there every step of the way. Seeing other people happy is the foremost factor in why Roberto continues to volunteer his time. He also gets a thrill out of causing a sense of fright in others as well. This was evident during Spooky Sunday when he volunteered to dress up as a character in our haunted house to scare unsuspecting guest. Volunteers return to Big Sunday for a myriad of reasons, hopefully Roberto’s experiences have given you a reason to join us.

Though there are enough volunteer opportunities to occupy a small army, there are many facets to individuals who serve others. Basketball and soccer happen to be two of the sports that keep Roberto occupied outside of school and volunteer work. As for his future of work, his love for pets coincides with his passion to become a veterinarian. As we’ve found with other KOTM honorees, the professions he chose falls under the umbrella of social service. The path Roberto is on will surely lead to a successful finish line.

Alyna and Maddie

For the first time ever, we are honoring two best friends, Alyna and Maddie. This duo of caring ladies are both 13 years of age and attend Beverly Vista School. Though both of them are closely acquainted, they each found Big Sunday in different ways. Alyna stumbled upon us on a community service reference site, while Maddie heard about us through a friend, whom we can assume was Alyna.

They both have a developing artist side to them, hence why our arts and crafts projects during events always capture their attention. Focused concentration on a craft can return overwhelming results, and their attention to detail made for some outstanding cards and gift bags. Their love for decorating and drawing has left a memorable impression on Big Sunday. What has left a memorable impression on them was meeting people their own age that they could relate to through volunteering with us. Something we found interesting when asking what motivates each of them, they both include the words “smiles”. A mixture of their quotes equates to “seeing people smile and knowing that I helped make a difference, motivates me”.

When free to entertain themselves their interests still intermingle. They both appreciate the arts through dance and reading, also Maddie has a knack for baking. As stated earlier in this spotlight of the girls, they are caring; and that is showcased in the careers they want to pursue. Alyna would like to be a Doctor, while Maddie would like to be a Marine Biologist. Whether it’s a human or animal, their goal is to heal those who are in need. When others are in need outside of Big Sunday’s scope, they are there to help; volunteering at Ace of Hearts, Sova Food Pantry, and Heal the Bay.

Dominic S.

Each month we introduce you to a stellar kid with a bright future, and this month is no different. Meet Dominic S., he is a vibrant 16 year old, who attends St. Pius X – St. Matthias high school in Downey, CA. Dominic was introduced to Big Sunday through his volleyball coach, who was the teams transportation to our event. Trekking from Downey to Big Sunday to volunteer on a Sunday afternoon shows the heart the coach and his team has to help others.

When having to pick a favorite anything, youth are usually absolute or fickle about what is the answer they can live with. Dominic had no reservations identifying what he enjoyed doing most while at Big Sunday, saying, “Sorting the food into boxes”. This goes to show that people appreciate different aspects of volunteerism; some prefer sharing and caring while others prefer organizing and sweating. Both side of the coin are very beneficial for those in need. Dominic communicated to us the patience necessary to look over each food item to ensure it hasn’t expired and if it has, setting it to the side to be discarded. What motivates him to volunteers is the ability to help those who really need help. We are thankful that he chose Big Sunday as a vessel to accomplish that goal.

When not devoting his time to community service, Dominic finds pleasure in the sport of Basketball. As a dual sport athlete, he has a lot of practices to keep him busy when out of school. While in school he wants to strive to become an entrepreneur in this world. Free thinking and able to place his business acumen to the test in whatever field he sees has an opportunity for growth. Dominic’s membership in his schools math club is another sign that he is taking the right steps to success.

Kaya J.

Allow us to introduce you to a star in the making, Kaya J. She is a brilliant 12 year old, who attends Marlborough School, an independent school for girls, grade level 7-12. She heard about Big Sunday via friends, who have attended our many events and through opportunities offered at her school. With Marlborough school being in such close proximity to Big Sunday’s office, this is surely a seasoned relationship that will stay intact for many years to come.

There are multitudes of ways to give back when volunteering; painting probably isn’t on the top of the list for many people when it comes to opportunities to help. To the contrary, Kaya found painting as her favorite portion of our Thanksgiving Stuffing event. It was a perfect pairing of something she loved to do and something that would brighten up the office of the nonprofit organization receiving it. One of the paintings still hangs in the Big Sunday office, where many visitors pass by and are delighted to view the art created by volunteers. Seeing those smiling faces can be a motivation for anyone to continue to volunteer, but she is also motivated by the thought that she is making other people’s lives better. She goes on to say, “Big Sunday is a great place to do that”. What a wonderful quote; we hope to have millions more say the same phrase.

When not volunteering or in a classroom, Kayla enjoys playing volleyball, creating art works using paint, and reading. The latter will come in handy when she pursuers her career as a surgeon. She figures that the greatest way to help others is by saving people’s lives. In the meantime, she affects change now by participating in Adopt-a-Family, serving food to the homeless at Midnight Mission and volunteering at Operation Gratitude.

Ryan S.

We are proud to present Ryan S. with this month’s Kid of the Month honor. She is a humble 15 year old that attends Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City. What initially drew her to Big Sunday was the Corwin family, who have long been involved with Big Sunday’s efforts and also has a daughter who has been honored as the Kid of the Month as well.  Her Elementary School was another channel by which she found her way into Big Sunday’s every evolving programs and events.

Each year at Big Sunday we treat our Veterans to a special day of entertainment and dinner to thank them for their service to this country; this event was highly touted as Ryan’s favorite. One reason for her fondness was it being her first event as a Big Sunday Youth Board member. Our Youth Board is filled with civic-minded kids who want to make an impact in their environment. The second reason, in her words, “I love having the opportunity to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for this country”. There are as many facets to Ryan, as there are to Big Sunday. So it should come as no surprise that she loves our concept that absolutely everyone has some way that they can help somebody else. She embodies that spirit when she gratefully volunteers in her neighborhood, which she calls, “a rewarding and humbling experience”. These experiences tend to be memorable as she recalls meeting the New Directions Veteran Choir and being inspired by their stories and talents during Big Sunday’s Vets’ Night.

When Ryan has a minute to herself she enjoys staying active by running or taking it easy by writing. She has dreams of becoming a software engineer later on in life; I guess her writing will eventually turn into code. Ryan’s impressive line of activities don’t stop their; she also is a Senator on her school’s student council and in involved with Wags and Walks, a dog rescue group dedicated to reducing the number of dogs in Los Angeles shelters by finding them loving, forever homes.

Sofia W.

This month we have a young lady that proves you are never too young to give back. Sofia W. is a delightful 13 year old, who attends Pilgrim School.  She first heard about the wonderful things we do here at Big Sunday through her school, which participated in last year’s Valentine-Making event. Their group is always full of enjoyable “tweens” and teens laughing the entire event. Sofia joins a list of Pilgrim School students who have been featured on the Kid of the Month page and is guaranteed not to be the last.

Sofia’s favorite activity she has participated in was attending Alexandria House during Big Sunday Weekend a few years ago.  Alexandria House is a transitional residence for single women and women with children in the process of moving from emergency shelter to permanent housing. Her volunteer group of fellow Pilgrim School students helped to spruce up the grounds, straighten up the house, and donated books. This was an impactful experience for her because she got to directly help people in her own community. Building communities is a major pillar of what we stand for here at Big Sunday; so hearing that from Sofia tugs at the heart strings a bit. There is significance she places on making a difference, and it’s that difference that keeps her motivated, whether it’s writing cards to Vets or having a conversation with a foster youth. We at Big Sunday love when youth are motivated to make a difference and help out in order to mold the future they want to see. That would explain why Sofia says all of her experiences at Big Sunday have been memorable. We will try to make the next event she attends even more memorable than her last.

When not looking to make a difference in someone’s life, Sofia likes to relax by reading, writing, and listening to music. All of which will prepare her for her future as a possible lawyer or a writer. There are many avenues that lead to a bright future and Sofia seems to be at the cross section of aspiring and ambitious. Whichever path she takes we are certain it will be the right one. For these reasons and many others, it’s clear to see why Sofia has what it takes to secure the title of Kid of the Month.

Matthew T.

With each passing month we bring you an extraordinary you, this month it’s Matthew T. He is a welcoming and cheerful 17 year old, who attends John Marshall High School. Word about Big Sunday spread to him via John Marshall’s Key Club, which provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character, and develop leadership.

“All of them because they’re awesome” stated Matthew, when asked what was his favorite Big Sunday activity that he has participated in. Though he may love all of our events, he was an instrumental part of specific activities, such as transporting food outside to be sorted for Thanksgiving or making boxes to be packed during Books n’ Brunch. Matthew draws his motivation to volunteer from the satisfaction he receives during the process that is nary found elsewhere.  Members of our staff are always friendly, but Matthew took a liking to one in particular.  He stated “Rob is a pretty cool dude”, when speaking about the conversation he had with him over donuts.

When Matthew is not volunteering, he keeps it pretty simple; enjoying the necessities of eating and sleeping. Being well rested implies having a clear mind, which could provide insight into why he sees himself becoming a philosophy professor when he grows older.

Mila D.

Mila D. is a youth we are ecstatic to present to you as this month’s Kid of the Month. She is a resourceful 17 year old who attends Harvard-Westlake School. Harvard-Westlake is also where she first heard of Big Sunday and was provided various service opportunities.

A Big Sunday activity that she participated in which was her favorite was collecting and sorting used sporting equipment. This was an activity that spoke to her, “I’m involved in sports in school, so it is a cause very close to my own life, which makes me enjoy it so much.” This collection motivated her to get involved, but in Mila is motivated by other factors as well. She believes all people should have the same opportunities she has in life, so she is motivated to give back in order to level the playing field. She goes on to say, “By giving back I feel like I’ve made someone’s life better.” While doing thing for others, there is destined to be some memorable experiences. Mila remembers her contributions at the LAX Dunes project during Big Sunday Weekend leaving her feeling proud and accomplished. Saying, “I look back now happy that I helped to preserve the land”. No need to look further than her for someone who enjoys the service of volunteering.

When not volunteering, Mila prefers hanging with friends and watching television. When being more active, she enjoys running track and cross country at school. As she grows older she would like to delve into the film industry. As she puts it, “I’ve always wanted to purse a creative, and I love visual storytelling.” At Mila’s young age, her story is still yet to be told; we look forward to seeing tremendous things from her in the future.

Mujtahid R.

Big Sunday would like to introduce a new inductee to the Kid of the Month, Mujtahid R. He is an optimistic 18 year old who attends Pilgrim School, a public day and boarding school in Los Angeles. He originally found Big Sunday via a Google search for volunteering and later gained interest through someone who participated in Big Sunday events before.

Out of all the events we offer throughout the year, Mujtahid selected our Valentine’s Day event.  He said, “The card-making is heartwarming, and the bingo game after is a fun interactive way to end the day”. Growing up in Bangladesh, a third-world country, has given Mujtahid perspective on how fortunate he is to have an education and live in a supportive community in America. For these reasons, he is motivated to help others as much as he can.  He drives home his point by saying, “I think it’s important to give back to others, especially those that are less fortunate.” We are fortunate to have volunteers such as Mujtahid, who has a diverse background and can give a different perspective to other volunteers. While volunteering at Big Sunday, he met David McBride, a Big Sunday staff member who made their experience memorable.  Mujtahid explained, “David…was super chill, friendly, and curious as to what we were doing. We hit it off really well”.

In his personal time movies, video games and tennis is what keeps him occupied. As an occupation, Mujtahid would like to become a doctor, but also has a passion for the business side of television and film. His plan will map itself out while in college, he is looking forward to discovering everything it has to offer. Mujtahid is a member of the Bangabandhu Cultural Organization, which works to unify the Bengali community and is also ASB Co-President. It is our pleasure to honor this multifaceted teen as the Kid of the Month.

Chloe H.

With great joy, we would like to introduce this month’s Kid of the Month, Chloe H.  She is a dynamic 12 year old, who attends Curtis School. Chloe initially made contact with Big Sunday through her school, which held an event she attended and instantly loved. Curtis School partnered with Western Avenue Elementary to aid in a school beautification project during A Month of Big Sundays.

Everyone has their favorite event that Big Sunday puts on; Chloe had a connection with our Vet’s Night event. During the event she was able to meet a lot of new people and make hand written cards for soldiers. She recalls meeting another family with her family and the two of them really hitting it off during the event. That is some of the magic that happens when individuals of similar passions meet. A motivating factor for Chloe’s continued service is the inner joy afterwards that makes her smile. She helped put smiles on the faces of many others in need when she hosted a lemonade stand on behalf of Big Sunday’s Emergency Fund.  After a gesture like that, we knew we had to spotlight her as the Kid of the Month. When not participating in Big Sunday events, Chloe also volunteers for Food on Foot, who feed the homeless and help them rebuild their lives.

This caring adolescent has to make time for herself once in a while, and when she does, she prefers to spend it in the water.  For fun, Chloe loves to go swimming. It should come as no surprise that she is a member of a competitive swim team. Her aspirations as an adult revolve around the water as well saying, “When I grow up I would like to be a swim coach. I love to swim and I want to share my joy with other people”.  That endeavor to help others is a reason she was selected as this month’s Kid of the Month.

Jake L.

We are pleased to add Jake L. to the growing list of extraordinary youth that claim the title of Kid of the Month. This athletic 15 year old attends Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, CA. He first heard about Big Sunday from a family friend and later on through his temple. We love when word spreads and brings quality individuals into our organization.

When attending Big Sunday events many folks find something that really speaks to them; Jake felt as though our Vet’s Night spoke volumes. He was quoted in saying, “I deeply believe in giving back to those who serve”. Being able to serve others begins to become a theme with the way Jake feels about volunteers making things possible for others. He knows that the effort of volunteers allows humanity to succeed.

Jake is chiefly into working out and playing sports, especially baseball. Those are some of the things he focuses on in the present, when not volunteering. As for aspirations in the future, he would like to pursue a career in the Military, Law or Politics saying, “they are interesting and help improve the community”. Finally, Jake’s volunteering doesn’t start and end with Big Sunday. He splits his spare time between two other organizations, Cheviot Hill Pony Baseball Association and being President of the Hamilton Lobbyist Club.

Kui K.

Our new wonderful addition to the Kid of the Month club is Kui K. This outstanding 18 year old attends Pilgrim School and is close to taking the next big step in life, graduation. In the ramping up for graduation many students are required to dedicate a fixed number of hours to community service.  That was the catalyst for her to meet with her community service coordinator at school, who introduced her to Big Sunday.

Making Valentine’s Day cards during our Valentine’s Day event is what Kui named as her favorite Big Sunday activity.  She loved how the event brought the community together for a bigger purpose.  Saying, “It’s interactive and also personal to the people getting the cards”. Kui and many of her school mates who attended this event got to see the impact of a personal touch. She recalled attending Big Sunday’s Bingo n’ Bagels event, where she didn’t win a thing, but had a really great time playing alongside nonprofit clients and volunteers. What motivates her to continue volunteering is knowing she made a genuine difference in someone’s life. There are thousands of ways to help those in need; Kui is a believer in trying to help in as many ways as possible.

When not involved in helping others, Kui loves to go running and exploring new areas of Los Angeles. She wants to pursue a career as a lawyer when she gets older. Legislation is something she finds highly intriguing based on her passion for debating issues.  She continued, “I enjoy debate, and know that law would be the best way to make my mark in the world”. We look forward to seeing the change she effects in the future.

Daniel K.

This month we would like to shine our spotlight on Daniel K., a hard working 15 year old, who attends Windward School. His family was introduced to Big Sunday through Berenice, a long time family friend and our Senior Director here at Big Sunday.  With a connection like Berenice, he was destined to be involved with volunteering at some point.

It should come as no surprise that Daniel would later go on to play a vital role in organizing a beautification project at Grand View Elementary. He took his vision to beautify Grand View to Jennie W. at his school, who worked her magic to get the ball rolling. From there, he recruited his mother and Catherine from the Garden Foundation to help design the new gardens.  Finally, he incorporated a mural painting aspect to the beautification, led by a student from the school named Matthew. Needless to say, this was Daniel’s favorite Big Sunday event, seeing the maturation of an idea come together for an astonishing result. The expression of happiness that comes from the individuals benefited by his work is what motivates him to continue volunteering. Those expressions have left a lasting impression on Daniel, as he recalled a father working diligently on the “demo crew” and chopping up plants and tree roots; to later find out the man’s daughter attended the school.

In Daniel’s spare time he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing tennis with his family or attending a sporting event. He particularly likes hunting for cool cars in Los Angeles, which bodes well with his passion to pursue car design as a profession.  With the exotic selection of cars that roll around this city, there is much to marvel at. His dream car would be designed by himself and would use electricity over gasoline as a power source. Daniel believes in reducing our footprint on this planet to extend our existence here.  Daniel is heavily involved at Windward School as a “prefect”, which are 10 elected representatives who help to improve student-teacher relationships, interview job candidates for Windward and tries to improve student programs. In addition to this, Daniel is also on the Integrity Advisory Board, the Varsity Cross Country and the JV Tennis team. For his efforts in all of these activities and more, it is clear to see why Daniel is also on Big Sunday’s Youth Board.

Dorrit C.

Dorrit C., a person who has always been actively involved in Big Sunday for years; finally receives the spotlight she deserves. Dorrit is a bright 15 year old that attends Marlborough School.  She first heard of Big Sunday through her elementary school, The Center for Early Education.

Since Dorrit has been around Big Sunday for such an extended period of time, she has a laundry list of projects to choose from, when it comes to her favorite. She singled out taking cards and gifts to people in retirement homes on Valentine’s Day. This event was incredibly rewarding and heartwarming for her, to see their faces when receiving their Valentines.  We could all benefit from a little extra love on such a special day. Many of Dorrit’s actions are motivated by the chain reactions created when helping one person that sets activism into motion among people of all different backgrounds and brings them together. In this manner, she shares Big Sunday’s goal of bringing people from different walks of life together to share in an experience.  Through Big Sunday, Dorrit’s volunteer experiences have been memorable. She recalls a leaving Kelso Elementary school after 3 Big Sundays spent fixing it up, and how grateful the principal and students were for their efforts that day.

When not being an outstanding volunteer, Dorrit occupies her time doing one of three things; playing varsity softball, pursing her love for photography or singing in her a cappella choir. The talents of this young lady have nothing but time to flourish and evolve into greater strengths. Those strengths will all come second to her talent as a writer, for which she hopes to turn into a profession as an author, journalist, or TV writer.  Dorrit’s current membership with Girls Go Global Club, which focuses on women’s rights locally and internationally, should give her a lot of stories and experiences to pull from when she begins her career.

Juntao W.

We would like to introduce a new member into the Kid of the Month club, Juntao W. This calm 17 year old attends Pilgrim School, a private day and boarding school in Los Angeles. We would like to send a “Thank You” to the teachers of Pilgrim School, who were the sources of the Big Sunday introduction.

The Valentine’s Day event Juntao attended last was solidified as his favorite out of all others he attended. At the Valentine’s Day event he made multiple cards and shared in the joy of the day. The anonymity of the entire process is something that struck a chord with him; commenting, “It is wonderful to make those cards for people I don’t know”. Many of our projects where we write cards to groups come to them with no other identifiers, except Big Sunday. So in many ways, every volunteer including Juntao represent Big Sunday years after their service. Currently, he volunteers to get community hours for school. Juntao,along with students from his school, attended Alexandria House, where he was mesmerized by the number of books they had access to. This is a memory that he carries with him till this day.

Juntao’s efforts don’t just stop with Big Sunday; he has also been an active volunteer with Hope Net Food Distribution. When he gets a chance to relax, Juntao enjoys playing video games, like many other teens his age. Within the same lane, he would like to pursue computer programming as a career move. The mind of this creative teen may hold the key to some initiative solutions to the problems of the world today.

Chloe G.

A familiar face that has graced Big Sunday’s promotional material for upcoming events has made it to Kid of the Month status. Meet Chloe G., she is a bubbly 12 year old that attends John Burroughs Middle School. Her father, Yves, was the first person to introduce her to the wonderful work we do here at Big Sunday. Yves played an instrumental role in shining the light on the importance of volunteering.

Big Sunday is always a great place to meet new people and that’s what made our Annual Valentine-Making, Bingo-Playing Community Breakfast one of her favorite events. About the event she said, “I got to meet a lot of new people than any other events I went to”. As she has come to learn volunteering isn’t always about doing something for someone, it’s also about sharing an experience with positive individuals and connecting. Chloe has dueling interest as to why she appreciates volunteering. One, is she always has fun doing so and loves the impact it makes on the community. Another reason for investing her time is being a member of the National Junior Honor Society, which requires their members to complete 15 hours of community Service.

When she isn’t out meeting new people and volunteering her time, she enjoys curling up in bed with a good book. Maybe one day Chloe will have her very own book, since she has a passion for writing. Aside from reading, Chloe also spends time with the Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood, where she is involved in Torch Club. The Torch Club puts on monthly events for all the kids in the after school program. It is clear to see this talented and warm hearted individual has a lot to offer the world.

Josie C.

I would like to introduce this month’s deserving Kid of the Month, Josie C. She is a resourceful 13 year old, who attends Immaculate Heart High School and Middle School. Her brother was the first point of contact she had with Big Sunday, when she was only in third grade. This may be the earliest a Kid of the Month has been aware of our existence.

Big Sunday’s annual Books n’ Brunch event captured Josie’s heart as one of her favorite Big Sunday events.  Books n’ Brunch is our day of collecting books from many donors and volunteers, sorting them into categories, then donating them t non profits or schools that can use them. Her simple reasoning for loving this event speaks for itself, “I think everyone needs books and literature in their lives.” Similar to this event, making an impact on someone is what motivates Josie to continue her volunteer work. She enjoys the feeling of knowing she has helped someone no matter the extent of the work that was done.

As much as she’d love to, volunteering isn’t an everyday activity; so in her spare time she enjoys reading and listening to music. Both of the aforementioned hobbies translate appropriately to skills she can utilize later on in life when she pursues a career in teaching. Josie’s caring nature is second nature; she continues her volunteer work with Adopt-A- Family and Alexandria House.  Next time you are at a Big Sunday event, make it a duty to find and congratulate Josie C. on being the Kid of the Month.

Ella C.

This month we would like to spotlight Ella C. as the Kid of the Month. Ella is an energetic 14 year old, who attends The Archer School for Girls. She was introduced to Big Sunday through a familiar source, her mother, who worked on gardening projects with Big Sunday. Her mother’s involvement spurred her involvement and later trickled down to friends of hers.  That’s a testament to the power of service that is fun and rewarding.

One of the fun and rewarding projects Ella enjoyed the most was working in the Queen Anne Elementary School garden. This event was a corporate day of service for an accounting firm, where volunteers painted murals and improved the schools gardens, among other things. She was motivated by the kid’s reactions throughout the day as they watched their school transform. Motivation comes in many forms for her; hard work and the outcome, contributing to the community, spreading happiness and helping those in need. Ella’s motivations culminated at a memorable event for her at Big Sunday’s Holiday sing along. She said, “It reminded me what the holidays are really about. Not presents, not about food or stuff, but about what’s in your heart… Big Sunday has brought such gratitude to my heart. I am so grateful to be surrounded by people with passions to help out.” This young lady clearly has a heart of gold and we are lucky to have her part of our organization.

In her down time, Ella is still leading the charge as a member and co founder of Citizen Change Theater, where she performs a specialized theater called comedia. Theater is a clear passion of hers, as it is also something she would like to pursue professionally. She has a laser focus on her goal stating, “I want to perform to those in need, to those without voices, and to those who have never experienced the stage.” With the remaining hours in the week, Ella also kick boxes, takes self defense classes and does jiu-jitsu. She is also a member of the inaugural Big Sunday Youth Board. If you couldn’t tell already, Ella C. is an extraordinary kid with a bright future.

Cristian B.

Cristian B. is this month’s Kid of Month, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise to many. This 14 year old pursued volunteering at Big Sunday without direction or encouragement from an adult; he simply wanted to help out.  He wanted to dedicate his summer to volunteering, which is a noble deed for anyone, let alone a kid.

While reflecting back on the activities he’s done with Big Sunday, Cristian listed making 4th of July cards for veterans as his favorite. He stated, “We helped show those brave soldiers our gratitude for their service”.  With that kind of mindset, any organization would be elated to have Cristian on board.  So what keeps him coming back to Big Sunday? Simply, the friendly environment and the great things we do to help those in need.  We plan on keeping it that way.

Cristian believes volunteering and giving back to your community should be second nature, saying “it isn’t something you should feel forced to do…”. He obviously has the proper approach to life cemented in him already.  We are proud to showcase Cristian to the Big Sunday community and eventually through his efforts he will be showcased to the world.

Lauren B.

We have the pleasure of introducing Lauren B. as the Kid of the Month for December.  She is a 14 year old with a heart of gold that attends Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies. Lauren’s initial contact with Big Sunday came via a project done at her school 2 years prior, where they restored the campus to its original beauty.

Lauren, along with her mother Nicole, reconnected with Big Sunday throughout the summer during our TM@10 events.  Her volunteering culminated to months of service and resulted in a familiarity with the staff and activities. One of her favorites she participated in was preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for My Friend’s Place, though she’s not a fan of the jelly. So what keeps Lauren motivated to return to Big Sunday? Her mother is part of the reason, also the reason for many kids, but she ultimately found all of the activities fun.

She has a firm grasp on the concept of how powerful giving back can be with this quote, “what you are doing maybe simple to you but maybe major to someone else”.  Lauren listed poverty and racism as the two problems plaguing the world we live in. Though these are major issues to be eliminated, we feel Lauren is the perfect kid to lead the way. We know Lauren will accomplish great things in her future, so Big Sunday won’t be the last to champion her.

Aidan S.

Allow us to introduce Aidan S., the new Kid of the Month. This ambitious 13 years old currently attends Huntington Middle School.  How Aidan heard about Big Sunday is a true demonstration of the power of word of mouth. His friend’s mother introduced their family to Big Sunday through Disney, one of our generous sponsors for years.

One of the activities we have found many of the kids enjoy is making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Aidan is no different. There is a certain joy that comes from preparing a snack that will go to help individuals who truly appreciate your efforts and care.  This joy is evident when asked why he continues to return to Big Sunday volunteer events, he states, “The fun about volunteering keeps me going back”. Giving back and having fun in the process is something Big Sunday will never stray from.

Aidan has an excellent perspective on volunteering for other teens like himself, “Try to find something you enjoy doing. For example, if you enjoy art, you should make cards or decorate flower pots”. What a fantastic quote from such a terrific young man. His caring nature doesn’t end there; issues facing the world Aidan would like to see changed are unemployment and poverty. Aidan is living proof that our youth are on the right track.

Brittni H.

Let’s all give a round of applause for this month’s Kid of the Month, Brittni H. Just like the unique spelling of her name, Brittni is a unique individual. Graduating with Honors from Dorsey High School in 2013, she was destined to do great things. Her first encounter with Big Sunday was around 6 years ago, participating at a KEEN (Kids Enjoying Exercise Now) event. We can thank the Big Sunday volunteers of that event for making a lasting impression on Brittni and her mother, Kathy.

Brittni listed Thanksgiving as her favorite Big Sunday event, which seems to fit a trend with her giving spirit; a spirit that doesn’t end when the event is over either. Her mother reflects on a story at the Special Olympics Long Beach, where Brittni noticed a girl crying and to remedy that she offered the young girl a pom-pom; stopping the young girls tears immediately. Brittni’s volunteering efforts extend beyond what we offer. She was a committee member for the World Games Special Olympics 2015, which included hosting 84 athletes prior to the competition.  She is also involved in the Special Olympics Southern California each June at Cal State Long Beach, where she is a VIP Ambassador.  While volunteering, Brittni always tries to make one new friend at every volunteer event she attends throughout the year. With this laundry list of volunteering work put in, it’s a wonder when she devotes some time to herself. In those segments between helping others, Brittni loves watching Scooby Doo and videos on demand, going to Universal Studios, eating pizza and ice cream, and spending time with her niece Makarah.

With this world wind of activities present, what keeps Brittni coming back to Big Sunday? Berenice, our Senior Director at Big Sunday, who has been enthusiastically rooting for Brittni since her first event. Encompassing everything we look for in a volunteer: hard working, cheerful, dedicated, and passionate about helping. It’s not hard to see why Brittni, with her beautiful smile and giving nature, is this month’s Kid of the Month.

Nicholas K.

Meet Nicholas K., he is a 17 year old senior, who currently attends Ribét Academy. Nicholas first heard about Big Sunday in 2006 based on an old shirt he owns. He became involved during Big Sunday 2011, where he was a part of a school beautification project.  We have come to know Nicholas as a well spoken gentleman with manners that any parent would be proud of.

He noted making sandwiches as his favorite volunteer activity at Big Sunday because of the structure.  Statements like that lets us know we are dealing with a mature and focused teen.   So what keeps a motivated teen like him coming back to Big Sunday events? Consistency in the schedule and the activities completed every Thursday.  We plan on keeping the consistency, so I guess that means we can plan on seeing him regularly.  Nicholas’ words are even consistent when it comes to offering advice to other kids about giving back to their community, “Don’t miss TM@10”. With this as a steady narrative of his, Nicholas may have a future as a Big Sunday spokesman.  As much as he loves Big Sunday, Nicholas is also involved in other causes such as making higher education free and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ben J.

Let’s all welcome a new kid to the club of honorees, Ben J.  Ben made his introduction to Big Sunday during our project at Home-Safe, where we planted a new garden in their play area. After the project, Ben’s eagerness to help encompassed the “Dirty Hands.Open Minds.Big Hearts” motto. Little did we know, we would be seeing a lot more of Ben.

We have to thank Ilka J., Ben’s mom, who nurtures his creativity and has made their family TM@10 regulars. During TM@10’s Ben hasn’t been shy working with new groups of volunteers and leading the way on assembling the day’s gifts. Though he may be a child of few words, there are no shortcomings when it comes to actions. Ben is a free spirit, who finds the joy in every moment; no matter the task.  His willingness to pitch in and help out has been a joy to have around the office and will pay dividends if he ever needs a recommendation.

Henry C.

Say hello to Henry! He has been a regular with us for a few years now. I think it has actually gotten to the point where he is dragging his mother to the events instead of the other way around. One thing is for certain though, whenever he is here, he gives it his all. Trust me, I know this to be true!

I have had the privilege of working alongside Henry, and have seen him in action. He follows directions extremely well, and completes every task with a willing spirit and a smile on his face. In fact, when asked why he keeps coming back to Big Sunday, Henry answered with a simple yet powerful “it’s fun.”

Henry’s attitude is what will propel him into the future with endless possibilities. I believe the saying is “The World is Your Oyster!” This applies 100% to Henry. He is a good kid with a heart to serve. Many of us adults could learn a thing or two from Henry. Hey Henry, what advice do you have for us about giving back?

“Do it! Because it will make your community better.”  – Henry

Nayeli L.

If you have ever been to a Big Sunday event you know that we love bringing all types of different people together for a common goal – to pitch in, help out, and give back! It is very easy to notice the many outspoken, community service warriors that frequent our events, but often it’s the quiet ones who make the most “noise.”

Nayeli is one of our most diligent and dedicated volunteers! We have lost count of the number of events she’s volunteered at, and her heart for services never ceases to amaze us. She loves the variety of ways we give back during our more intimate TM@10 events, and she understands what Big Sunday and service is all about. “I recommend that people give back to the community because it feels good, and there’s always someone who is in more need than you. Also, you get to meet different people from different backgrounds!” Nayeli, we love your spirit, and look forward to seeing you at many of our upcoming events. Would you mind leaving us with how you would change the world if you could?

“If I could change the world it would be to eliminate the difficulty in poor nations.”  – Nayeli

Wesley F.

There’s nothing we like more at Big Sunday than a little spunk, and Wesley has more than a little!  He was introduced to us during our 2014 Big Sunday Weekend extravaganza, and he has been a consistent, active part of our community ever since.

Wesley has the rare combination of high energy and extreme focus that makes him a powerhouse while volunteering at our many events.  Whether it’s spreading mulch to beautify our parks, or sitting at a table to create one of Big Sunday’s signature flower pots for the elderly, Wesley gives it his best.  Not to mention he told us he loves using the paper and making a mess with the glue.  Well Wesley, you have a knack for turning your mess into beautiful flower pots that surely brighten up people’s day!

Like many of the youth we highlight, and will highlight in months to come, Wesley has fun.  It doesn’t matter what the activity is, he knows the value in what we do, and what it means to truly be a community.  This was evident when he told us that “people should volunteer because it’s fun and you get to meet new people”.  That is what we are about here at Big Sunday.  We are about bringing people together to have fun helping one another, and to give them a real sense of community that they can take with them when they leave 6111 Melrose, or the countless other places we have our events.  Wesley, why don’t you tell the people the one thing you would do to change the world…

“I would have everyone helping each other.” – Wesley

Big Sunday’s Kid of the Month is made possible by a generous donation from an anonymous donor.