Volunteer Opportunities Abound on Easter

There were plenty of volunteer opportunities over the Easter holiday, especially in downtown Los Angeles where The Los Angeles Mission opened its doors for its 75th year of helping the homeless on Skid Row.  The streets were closed down so that the thousands of homeless could be fed and clothed as a part of the Mission’s service program.  In addition to leading civic figures, there were many celebrities on hand to help hand out Easter baskets, serve food and pass out shoes to those in need.  The Los Angeles Mission served over 600,000 people last year by offering meals, clothing, medical care, dental care, housing assistance, job training and placement services and emergency financial assistance.

Stars Embrace Volunteer Opportunities

Among those helping out the Mission on this holiday weekend were Joey King (Ramona and Beezus), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Melissa Gilbert, Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff, Leeza Gibbons, Gilles Marini (Brothers and Sisters), Stephanie Pratt (the Hills), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), William Mapother (Lost), Angie Everhart, Jayde Nicole (Holly’s World), and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“Many of the nearly 600,000 meals we served last year were to people who came to us because of the recession’s impact on their lives,” said Los Angeles Mission President Herbert L. Smith.  ”The impact of losing a job and sometimes a home is devastating.  Our guests are seeking more than a free meal or a hand out, they want to restore their lives.  The Mission is working every day to give them the hand up.”

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