Testimonials
Every year, hundreds of letters pour in from our nonprofit partners, social service organizations and schools thanking us and letting us know how much Big Sunday has touched their lives. But even more interesting is the fact that we get just as many letters — if not more — from our volunteers. We’ve been touched by these letters — and we're proud of them, too — so we'd like to share some of them with you.
From Our Nonprofit Partners
“Please convey my deepest thanks to Big Sunday for such a wonderful and productive day on Saturday, May 3, 2008. Our staff, parents, students and myself were absolutely thrilled! A major theme that was heard throughout the day was that everyone seemed genuinely happy to be giving of themselves.
“One of the most vibrant aspects of the day was the strong sense of community, shared feelings and true joy in the labor. This must be what an old-fashioned barn-raising party was like. Thank you for all that was accomplished and for sharing your spirit! We are truly blessed.”
— F.W., Cleveland Elementary School
“We had such a great day at the primary Jewish World Watch Big Sunday
site at VBS. The more than 30 volunteers who pitched in and got so much done in
preparation for our Walk for Darfur were warm, friendly, interested and creative. It was a huge help to us and I couldn't be happier or more grateful that we were a part of Big Sunday.”
— A.L., Jewish World Watch
“Just wanted to tell you that we had a wonderful two days making quilts for veterans at Patchwork Penguin. We finished nine quilts and made as many tops. There was so much energy generated for the project that we are planning regular meetings throughout the year!
— L.B., Quilters for Others
“I am thrilled to report that the volunteers from Big Sunday (who are ROCK STARS) brought 200 pieces of luggage to our storage location in El Monte this afternoon. The delivery included duffle bags, backpacks, hard pieces, soft pieces, wheeled luggage, new luggage and "lightly worn" luggage. It will be offered to social workers for their clients and to United Friends of the Children, who will then pass it on to foster youth transitioning out of the system. None of this could have been possible without your dedication, patience and hard work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
— J.W., Edelman’s Children’s Court
“Thank you SO much for the books! They were in BEAUTIFUL condition! We stocked the shelves of our elementary school, which has been badly in need of reading books, especially since we don't have a library in our school. So, again, THANK YOU — they will be reaching hundreds of kids!”
— A.W., View Park Elementary School
“Congratulations once again for another amazingly successful Big Sunday. You set the standard for all of us nonprofit organizations in LA.”
— T.B., The Giving Spirit
“Thank you for all your time and efforts. All of our PATH sites had wonderful Big Sunday parties, and our residents felt the care and fun that a special event provides. Your many volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of men, women and children who are homeless.”
— S.E., PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
“Thank you all for all the amazing work you and your volunteers did for our program. Our women and children often feel left behind by society – stigmatized by social and cultural constraints. They often have had to flee their way of life due to domestic violence, or have lost ties with family due to substance abuse.
“Your event touched our house by reminding the women and children that people in the community are there for them and do care. The personal contact with the volunteers as well as working side-by-side digging our gorgeous new garden was priceless. They got to experience firsthand the safety of caring strangers and the hope that brings in an often-hostile world. The bus tour was a fun way to celebrate our city. The women and children had a wonderful time and got to experience the city in a different and marvelous way.
“Thank you for your time and your help with our very important work. We want to be involved with Big Sunday next year as well. Thank you.”
— J.C.S., Prototypes
“Where do I begin? We had an INCREDIBLE day yesterday with your crew. They painted our child-care center, cleaned out our pantry, gardened and more! The best part was we made some great friends who will certainly be coming back! You should have seen the kids who came with their parents to volunteer walking hand in hand with kids who live here . . . and they had just met!! We were all excited about making new friends. Thank you for making it happen! Thanks again! Looking forward to next year. We are already talking about it! You’re the best!”
— M.R., Alexandria House
“I just wanted to email you and tell you how much I appreciated your
hospitality . . . I never knew about BIG SUNDAY before!!! I haven’t had
that much fun and laughter in a long time. PLEASE let me know if you
ever need my help to volunteer, I need to give back to my community.”
— A.V., Project New Hope
“I want to thank you big time for Big Sunday! Our turnout was fantastic. The Canyon/CowaNatureCenter looks so much better! We were able to get people re- energized about our project again. We are extremely grateful to the volunteers who showed up at Cowan. We are looking forward to another canyon clean up next year!”
— S.W., CowaNatureCenter
“Thank you everyone who volunteered their Sunday afternoon to make this BBQ so successful. Your kindness was felt by all, feeding a total of 84 hungry youth and children at My Friend's Place. I hope to see you all again soon!”
— C.B., My Friend’s Place
“I am adding my congratulations and thanks for an incredible Big Sunday Weekend! You have truly created something amazing . . . and so good . . .for the community and for all its individual souls. I loved seeing the great cross-section of the city, which of course represents the nation (more than anyplace else!) come together with common purpose. Thank you for providing the opportunity for every Angelino to give.
“And special thanks for allowing Operation Gratitude to be part of this year's event. We had the greatest groups from Big Sunday — and it seemed as though everyone enjoyed the experience! And the icing on the cake is that we got SOOOO much done in preparation for our big event in a few weeks. The timing could not have been more perfect for us!
“Again, thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of our community. I know you hear it a lot, but it bears repeating: You are doing a great thing . . . and God’s work.”
— C.B., Operation Gratitude
“I wanted to tell you one more time how grateful I am to you. This was an expensive project to take on — and you did it with love, enthusiasm, and dedication. I shall forever be grateful.”
— D.B., Precious Blood School
“How do I begin to say THANK YOU to Big Sunday for ALL that you have done for our school? The staff, students and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of such a wonderful event.”
— K.W, Hyde Park Elementary School
From Our Volunteers
“On Big Sunday, I always feel that I get so much more than I give. It is humbling to sit with homeless women over a cup of tea. Everyone has a story. Compassion and empathy are understood and valued.”
— D.B., Precious Blood School
“From all of us at the Omar Foundation and the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement THANK YOU!!! Thank you for working so hard and getting so much done. We all had a wonderful time and we hope that you enjoyed working with us and helping us to give back to the community.
“We filled two truckloads with goods and materials for the homeless and for foster children and our lemonade stand was a big hit with the community. Thank you for making this weekend so much fun and such a BIG success. We hope to see you again next year and would love for you all to stay in touch.”
All my love and blessings,
— H.F., The Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement
“What an incredible day! I'm truly choked up for adjectives to adequately describe your Soccer and Basketball events on Big Sunday. There are so many kids and families that come away with from this experience with memories they will never forget. God bless you all. I love you.”
— M.F., AYSO
“Just wanted to thank you so much for putting together yet another successful Big Sunday and providing so many people, including myself, an opportunity to volunteer and meet some great people. We had an amazing time at the bowling event with Best Buddies and are looking forward to next year!”
— B.L., Manatt, Phelps, Phillips
“I would like to add my special thanks and deep appreciation to all those who stepped forward and contributed to the success of this wonderful and most inspirational demonstration of what can happen when Angelinos come together. It is a blessing from the Divine.
“At Omar Foundation we feel honored by and grateful to those who volunteered at our site. They are responsible for allowing us to be part of Big Sunday and it is our hope that they continue being part of our extended community.”
— D.K., The Omar Foundation
“As a newcomer to Los Angeles I was blown away from the gate on the history alone with Big Sunday. It was my pleasure to work with everyone involved. I could feel the love and family throughout.”
— P.A., Temple Israel of Hollywood
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! We were promised "really great, hard-working people” and boy, that's what we got! There was great energy, a lot of can-do and stick-to-itness, and just a bunch of fun. The Women’s Care Cottage house and garden look great. And we can all feel very proud of our work: from packing and carrying to painting to buying ice to washing brushes. It was all a great success.
"Thank you again. See you next year!"
— M.O.
“If I do say so myself, I think Turning Point, Nora Sterry, and New Horizons did a terrific job, especially for first-timers! We had a turn out of 600+ people. We painted a massive amount of exterior wall, planted shrubs, vegetables, and flowers (thanks to your efforts to get our plants and donations we were able to procure), crafted the flower pots, gave away books, sold clothes, collected money, fed and entertained the masses - all with about three weeks of planning and preparation. And just as importantly, our event brought the participants together in a way that was constructive, fun, and opened avenues for better understanding and relations, as advertised for a community building event.
“Thank you so much for creating this opportunity for us.”
— M.L., The Turning Point School
“On Big Sunday the volunteers benefit as much as the recipients of the help. We ALL get to know what it is like when people care, come together, and look out for each other. There are few feelings better than that. Thanks.”
— W.C.
“It was a HUGE success! We certainly had fun at Daphneyland. We had about 40 volunteers, we washed 100 hounds, and we put up chain-link fencing to create a special space for Daphneyland's beloved senior Bassets. And, of course, we did adopt two new friends for our clan: Hermione and Murray.”
— B.W., Echo Horizon School
“Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to charities I usually have no contact with and to meet people I would normally not have an opportunity to see. I chose the Knit 1, Purl 2 Big Sunday event. Everyone associated with the day was pleasant and helpful and I had a great time with the group, which came to the library to knit or crochet. It was delightful watching the teen girls teach their male companions a basic cast-on and then watching the boys intently complete their squares. I knit scarves for the Seamen's Institute and donate knitted items to various nonprofits for fund raising, but this was simply a delightful Sunday with new friends.”
— L.B., Sidley, Austin LLP
“Thank you for the wonderful opportunity you provide to my daughter and me each year to contribute to our community. Big Sunday fills us with joy and pride each time we join with so many other strangers and work together toward something larger than ourselves. We try to live up to this worthy example during the rest of the year as we try to help heal the world, but you make it so much fun.”
— M.B.
“Thank you to everyone at Big Sunday. The weather was superb at Malibu Creek and the work done was huge! Heal The Bay folks told us they had never reached the point of running out of dumpsters to fill with removed weeds (several were filled to overflowing). From flowerpot decoration to the lemonade stand to nature walks to arts and crafts/face painting, everyone felt their time was well spent. The folks from CEE and Heal The Bay are terrific to work with and I'd be delighted to have New Roads continue with them in coming years.”
— B.G., New Roads School
“This year was the first Big Sunday for Mary Star of the Sea High School. We went to Angeles’s Flight shelter and Casa Madona Hospice. I hear nothing but wonderful things and excitement from all of the students and faculty who went. I was grateful to experience how Big Sunday DID make L.A. a better place by the end of the day. Our students and faculty were changed just as much as, if not more than, the places we visited.”
— J.P., Mary Star of the Sea High School
“Wish I had a million bucks to give you . . . what a stellar effort . . . instead you got a little of my sweat (and my family’s) and my utmost respect . . . big props to you and your team . . . what an undertaking, what an accomplishment.
— The Wonderland Avenue School