More than 50,000 volunteers will participate in lemonade sales; blood, food and clothing drives; and other fundraisers large and small during the Big Sunday community awareness weekend May 2 and 3.

Big Sunday is an annual community service event conducted in communities throughout Southern California. Len Muroff, an Agoura Hills resident and a hospice rabbi, has participated in the event before and this year is an organizer for the West Valley/ Conejo region.

"We have an ambitious slate of volunteer projects for our Big Sunday event, including a food and clothing drive for the Family Rescue Center in Canoga Park, pet food and supply collection for the L.A. County animal shelters, kidrun lemonade stands throughout the region to raise funds for children's charities, and craft projects to brighten the day for seniors in assisted living centers," Muroff said.

The Family Rescue Center (RESCATE) is a resource that provides food, clothing, medical clinics and job training for the needy and homeless throughout the area. Besides raising funds and collecting food and clothing for the center, volunteers will paint and landscape the facility.

Money will also be raised to help local animal shelters, Muroff said. The weak economy has forced many families to give up their pets to animal shelters throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, he said.

"Our shelters are experiencing a deluge and are struggling to meet the needs of taking care of these abandoned pets," Muroff said.

Dave Moorman, president of the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education, said participation in Big Sunday events builds on the idea that everyone has something to give "regardless of age, wealth, ethnicity or religion." People can donate as much or as little time as they'd like, he said. While some people are planning to work all weekend, others may only be able help for an hour or two. All efforts, no matter how small, are welcome, he said.

"Len Muroff has been organizing small projects for Big Sunday for several years and now wants to help us build community by broadening our local effort," Moorman said. "We are really hoping to make an impact in all these areas, but the most important goal of Big Sunday is to give everyone a chance to feel that they can contribute and continue to contribute beyond that particular weekend."

Oak Park Unified School District is holding a Big Sunday food drive, said Sandy Phillips, one of the organizers. All five district schools will collect canned and dried goods April 27 through May 1, she said.

"Then on May 3 volunteers will be coming to Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank to sort and stock shelves," Phillips said. "Everyone is welcome to come and help."

Last year, the Oak Park district conducted a book drive to benefit four Oxnard schools.

"It was incredible, Phillips said. "We collected what seemed like over 6,000 books. Over 50 volunteers came out to help sort and schlep the books to the different schools."

Moorman said this year's event will be a series of collection efforts at local groceries, pet stores and schools in the week before the event and on May 2 and 3. In Las Virgenes, elementary and middle school students will man lemonade stands to raise money for children's charities.

A.C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas will conduct its annual spring food drive under the Big Sunday banner to raise funds for RESCATE. Principal Mary Sistrunk said she expects students will collect more than two tons of food for the shelter.

Lost Hills Sheriff's Station will serve as the Big Sunday hub for the region. Food collections will be sorted at the station on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and volunteers will also be needed to help with other work and craft projects. There will be entertainment, refreshments and Big Sunday Tshirts for all volunteers, Moorman said. Drop-in volunteers will be needed and welcome, he said.

To participate in Big Sunday, call Muroff at (818) 2169373, email BigSunday09@gmail.com or visit www.BigSunday.org.