The only constant in life is change, but some changes are harder than others. If you are a parent who recently launched a child into college or the workplace, or newly retired, knowing what to do with your sudden free time can be a challenge. You can also feel isolated now that you no longer socialize as much with fellow parents or colleagues.
But there is something you can do: Volunteer!
Americans in general are great volunteers, with at least 30 percent regularly donating their time to myriad organizations across the country. The National Institutes of Health have even done studies on how volunteering is good for your physical and emotional health.
You don’t need to tell that to Alan and Gail Perlmutter. The Dana Point retirees, both in their early 70s, are very much into volunteering, and one of their favorite causes is the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. The annual two-month festival of living pictures, where actors recreate life-sized works of art while keeping very still, has been an Orange County staple since 1932.
The Perlmutters started volunteering there almost 20 years ago — even before they retired — and have no plans to retire from the Pageant.
“It’s a big commitment,” said Gail, adding that it’s so much fun, on all levels, and that the people they’ve worked with have become like family. “We would recommend it to anybody of any age.”
The couple mainly works in wardrobe, with Alan doing costumes and Gail headpieces and beards. Alan also has been a performer, and even had a coveted slot in the Pageant’s signature piece, staged every year: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
When it comes to volunteering, Alan said, it’s very important to feel comfortable in that environment. And luckily, unlike past volunteer activities dictated by work, or by your child’s school, you now get to choose what to do with your free time.
But do consider getting out of your comfort zone.
“Try something once,” said Alan, even if you decide it’s not for you. “But the most important thing is to try.”
And, speaking of volunteer opportunities that may take some fortitude, the American Cetacean Society’s Los Angeles chapter holds its annual gray whale count between December and May at Point Vicente on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
While sitting and looking at the ocean for hours in hopes of spotting a marine mammal sounds like a restful yet great way to recreate, it’s harder than it seems, warns volunteer coordinator Alisa Schulman-Janiger.
The marine biologist, who started the count in 1984, said this is mainly due to weather. The only reason to abandon the lookout point is thick fog or a severe storm, so if you don’t enjoy being rained on, or if the sun is beating down a bit too hard, reconsider. You also need decent eyesight, and it’s BYOB: Bring Your Own Binoculars.
That said, Schulman-Janiger reports that her volunteers get a lot out of the job. They have told her they enjoy the beautiful location, love learning about marine mammals, and feel good about contributing to science.
“I come for the whales,” one volunteer once told her. “And the bonds formed with my fellow whale watchers.”
Below is by no means a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities across Southern California, for those looking to do anything other than a silent auction, fun run or cookie sale. Try to try one activity at least once!
RACES, PARADES AND FESTIVALS
Rose Parade: The world-renowned Pasadena Tournament of Roses, held every New Year’s Day, just celebrated its 136th year, and all those gorgeous floats rely on volunteers to decorate them. The tournament’s webpage lists various float builders, commercial and amateur, who need help.
Long Beach Pride: For the past four decades, Long Beach has celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community with a three-day event in May, including a parade and music festival. Volunteers apply at longbeachpride.com.
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach: The Grand Prix celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and will draw motorheads from all over the world in April. Volunteers need to join the Committee of 300, at committeeof300.com. As a bonus, the group also takes part in other local automotive events year-round.
CicLAvia: Since 2010, CicLAvia temporarily turns normally car-congested streets all over Los Angeles County into public parks welcoming cyclists and pedestrians to roam free. In 2024, CicLAvia was held nine times, with the last in December in the San Fernando Valley. Volunteers apply at ciclavia.org.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: This beloved holiday tradition began in 1970, and gives boating aficionados a chance to strut their nautical stuff for two evenings every December. Boat-owning volunteers can apply at sdparadeoflights.org.
Festival of the Arts of Laguna Beach: The festival’s main attraction is the Pageant of the Masters, a show that literally brings art to life with actors recreating famous paintings and sculptures while doing their best to hold very still. The showcase runs between July and August. To volunteer, go to foapom.com.
Festival of Books: Readers, unite! The 30th annual Festival of Books will be held in April at the University of Southern California. Apply at events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks.
BEACH CLEAN-UPS, WILDLIFE RESTORATION
Beach cleanups: Heal the Bay does clean-ups in Los Angeles County. Orange County Coastkeeper covers beaches in OC. The Surfrider Foundation has chapters in all coastline counties, including Ventura and San Diego.
Wildlife restoration: Unfortunately, warming weather, frequent droughts and human interference have put our wilderness areas at risk. Luckily, The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the Rivers and Lands Conservancy, the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, and the San Diego Habitat Conservancy all need volunteers to help restore the landscape and mitigate damage, whether it’s by trail maintenance, planting or cleaning up trash.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
You don’t have to be a professional scientist to contribute to our overall scientific knowledge. Instead, you can become an amateur naturalist, participating in wildlife counts, or work as a docent at a science-focused museum, educating yourself and the public.
Wildlife counts: If you enjoy whale watching (or spotting other marine mammals in the wild), the American Cetacean Society’s Los Angeles Chapter holds its annual gray whale census at Point St. Vicente on the Palos Verdes Peninsula from December to May. To apply, go to acs-la.org.
If you enjoy birdwatching (more than 500 species can be spotted in Los Angeles County alone), the Audubon Society’s California chapter needs you for their annual Christmas Bird Count. The count has been held for the last 125 years. For instructions on how to participate, go to ca.audubon.org, and search for “Christmas bird count.”
If you enjoy spotting all kinds of wildlife in your urban neighborhood, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County would love your help with their annual City Nature Challenge, which is held for three days in late April. For more details, go to nhm.org/city-nature-challenge.
Science-focused museums: The La Brea Tar Pits, the William S. Hart Museum and the Natural History Museum all welcome volunteers; nhmlac.org.
The California Science Center at Exposition Park needs volunteers for everything from guest hosts to scuba divers; californiasciencecenter.org/volunteer.
Southern California aquariums — including the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro — all have plenty of volunteer opportunities, including feeding the animals and scuba diving.
ANIMAL RESCUE
If you love helping ailing animals, but are looking for something beyond the canine and feline, here are a few ideas:
Horses: Hanaeleh Horse Rescue, in Trabuco Canyon, needs volunteers to help care for their equine residents; hanaeleh.org/help-a-horse/volunteer.
Animal Guardians Horse Rescue in Simi Valley specializes in helping senior horses; animalguardianshorserescue.org/volunteer–sponsor.html.
Marine mammals: The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach helps sea lions, seals, sea turtles, dolphins and whales; pacificmmc.org/get-involved.
The Marine Mammal Center in San Pedro provides rehab for all kinds of pinnipeds including sea lions, elephant seals, and harbor seals; marinemammalcare.org/join-our-team.
Birds, reptiles, and others: The Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary in Del Mar is looking for volunteers to feed, clean up after, and socialize, their flock of parrots; freeflightbirds.org/volunteer.
The International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles Center in San Pedro needs volunteers to help injured water birds; birdrescue.org.
The California Wildlife Center in Malibu rescues all feathered, furred or scaled wild creatures; cawildlife.org/volunteer.
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Theater: If you love plays and musicals, but don’t always have money in your budget for a ticket, consider volunteering at a local playhouse. Here are five that can use ushers and set builders:
Dance: The American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles needs ushers and other helpers, as does the California Dance Institute in Porter Ranch.
Art: Art museums also need volunteers, including these: