What You Can Do Around Pasadena on National Make a Difference Day

Saturday, Oct. 24, is “National Make a Difference Day,” and while that sounds generic, there are a handful of things people can do in and around Pasadena that would actually make a difference to the community.

Here are a few things that anyone can do with the family to contribute to National Make a Difference Day:

At Lake Avenue Church (LAC), volunteers are needed to help in their care ministries and community outreach programs, and work may involve assisting church members with disabilities get to their doctor or other appointments, or visiting LAC family members who are confined in area hospitals, convalescent homes, and residences. A special need right now is for volunteers who could reach out to homebound adults with physical or mental disabilities.

Visit www.lakeave.org/volunteer for more volunteer opportunities.

All Saints Church Pasadena continues to offer opportunities for parish members to volunteer or donate to support local organizations striving to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community.

Some of the organizations the church supports during this pandemic include 10,000 Villages in Pasadena, which fans can help with monetary donations to cover their rent during their store closure; ASC Food Ministry, which gives away $10 grocery cards for Ralphs or Target; Friends in Deed which could also make use of monetary donations, and Huntington Hospital, which accepts donations of N95 masks and PPE, as well as monetary donations.

Visit www.allsaints-pas.org/volunteer-opportunities-in-the-time-of-covid19 for more information.

At Pasadena Community Church, volunteers are needed to answer the call of those in need by assisting in the Food Pantry from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Every Tuesday, the church also collects donations of non-perishable canned food items from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in LEC Portico. Simply drive through and place items in the marked bins.

Visit www.pasadenacommunitychurch.org/covid-19-volunteer-opportunities for more information.

Jericho Road Pasadena, which has been connecting volunteer experts with nonprofits that offer critical services to underserved residents, is in need of volunteers to work on specific projects with defined goals and time frames ranging from two weeks to one year. People may also want to serve on a nonprofit board to support their programs, and thereby expand their influence as an individual in community affairs.

For volunteer opportunities, visit www.jrpasadena.org/volunteer-opportunities.

The city of Pasadena has ample space for volunteers to contribute to community work, not just on National Make a Difference Day but any day of the year. For one, check out various volunteer opportunities within the Pasadena Police Department, although participation in the Citizens Police Academy may be required prior to volunteer consideration. Some volunteer positions also have an age requirement of 18 or 21 depending on the assignment.

For more information and to apply, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/Police.

Inquire with many other nonprofits in Pasadena to look at the many volunteer opportunities that are available, make a donation to a business or organization in need, or visit www.greatnonprofits.org/pasadena/ca for other “Make A Difference” opportunities.

The list on that site includes Union Station Homeless Services, which provides temporary shelter and food for homeless individuals and families; Jessica’s Hope Project, which focuses on sending fitness-oriented care packages overseas to all branches of the military in many different parts of the world; the Animal History Museum, the first museum dedicated to understanding and celebrating the human-animal bond; and the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation, which has been saving the lives of children and adults suffering from the catastrophic effects of UCDs.