For people looking to make a difference in their community, a big opportunity is available this weekend.

Numerous volunteer opportunities are available this weekend through Big Sunday. (photo courtesy of Big Sunday)

Big Sunday, a nonprofit community service organization based on Melrose Avenue, is holding its 17th annual Big Sunday Weekend from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3.

Thousands of volunteers are expected to participate at sites through Los Angeles County. Big Sunday founder David T. Levinson said there has been an enormous outpouring of support and many people have already signed up for projects. Participants are still being sought, however, and can sign up through the organization’s website at www.bigsunday.org.

“We call people participants, not volunteers, because it’s everyone pitching in,” Levinson said. “The [recipients] are incredibly grateful. We try to blur the lines between who is helping and who is being helped.”

The theme for Big Sunday Weekend is “Dirty Hands, Open Minds, Big Hearts.” Levinson said participants will work at sites such as Project Angel Food, Carthay Center Elementary School and Covenant House in Hollywood. Participants are needed at more than 100 sites.

“It makes a huge difference in the community,” Levinson added. “People are never too old and never too young to help.”

Big Sunday started 17 years ago as a project of Temple Israel of Hollywood. Levinson, a Hancock Park resident and longtime member of Temple Israel, said the initial idea was to find ways for the congregation to help in the community.

“Back in 1999, our first year, it was just people from the temple going out, but it expanded over the years,” he added. “There is no religious agenda and no political agenda; just people going out to help.”

Since its inception, Big Sunday has expanded to San Diego and San Francisco, as well as cities in Nevada, Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, New York, Colorado and Massachusetts. For the second year, Big Sunday Weekend projects will also be held in Australia, Levinson added.

For people who want to help but cannot participate this weekend, Big Sunday accepts donations that are distributed to social service organizations. Monetary donations can be made to the Big Sunday Emergency Fund, which assists schools and nonprofits when unforeseen circumstances arise. Levinson said “participating” can be as simple as setting up a lemonade stand and donating the profits. Young people are also encouraged to join Big Sunday’s Youth in Action program, which offers opportunities for “civic-minded” children and families.

Levinson added that his passion for helping others continues to grow along with Big Sunday, and he is grateful many people have joined the effort. He said he is looking forward to the weekend, and hopes as many people as possible will join him.

“One of the reasons I love doing this is that I get to meet people from all walks of life,” Levinson added. “Big Sunday Weekend only comes around once a year, but there are opportunities to help throughout the year. We estimate that during the course of the year, 50,000 participants are helping in some way.”