A plethora of philanthropy

Business was brisk at last year's NCJW Clothing Giveaway and Resource Fair in the Fairfax district.

If you’re looking for a chance to give back, this weekend offers a rich array of opportunities—from serving up a feast to shopping for a cause. Here are some of the possibilities for volunteering, fundraising and donating your way into a fulfilling 2012 holiday season.

Heroes welcome

The 20^th Annual Veterans Holiday Celebration will be held at the West Los Angeles VA Campus from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 2. Donate or join an army of about 650 volunteers who will feed, serve and entertain about 3,500 veterans. Volunteers will be needed for the day of the event and for set-up on Saturday, December 1.

Calling young environmental activists

Heal the Bay’s “A Day Without a Bag” Youth Summit will train high school students and college-aged young adults to organize campaigns to get people to ditch single-use plastic bags for a day. The summit takes place in Hollywood on Saturday, December 1 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (A Day Without a Bag is December 20.)

Got three Saturdays to give? "Let's Read" needs you.

Helping kids read

“Let’s Read!” offers one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing and other skills to kids who have limited access to educational resources. This Saturday, December 1, the group will set up shop in West Los Angeles. Volunteers are being recruited for commitments of a minimum of three Saturdays.

A really big giveaway

It takes a lot of helping hands to distribute 85,000 clothing items and children’s books to 5,000 folks in need. National Council of Jewish Women is seeking hundreds of volunteers to help do just that at their annual Community Resource Fair in the Fairfax district this Sunday, December 2, from 6:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the day of the event and on Saturday, December 1, to prepare. If you can’t make it out, the organization has a list of other ways you can pitch in.

A stylish benefit to feed the sick

Divine Design bills itself as the largest charity shopping event on the West Coast. The fashion festival in Beverly Hills benefits Project Angel Food, a nonprofit organization that delivers 13,000 meals per week to people with life-threatening illnesses like cancer and AIDS. The merchandise is donated by designers and companies. Volunteers are needed to set up, manage and clean up for the event, which runs from Thursday, November 29 to Sunday, December 3. Volunteers will receive a free day pass to shop and a free T-shirt.

The redcoats are coming

You’ve done charity walks before, but have you ever done one… as Santa!? Suits will be provided for the 2012 Santa Walk at the Westfield Topanga Mall, a walk that benefits Variety, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide support for disabled, abused, physically-challenged and underprivileged kids. The walk takes place Sunday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register to raise funds and walk yourself or donate to support someone else’s day in the life of The Man in Red.

The Claus Brigade descends on Westfield Topanga this weekend.

Posted 11/28/12