THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

CENTER FOR CAREER PATHWAYS & LITERACY, Allentown has volunteer tutoring opportunities available at their LCCC Allentown campus. We need tutors for English as a Second Language and for students working on their literacy skills or studying for the new GED 2012 test. Volunteers must attend training and developmental opportunities we provide. Should have a bachelor’s degree or working towards one and be able to donate 3 hours per week. Contact Gloria Lowell, 610-799-1216, glowell@lccc.edu.

DELAWARE & LEHIGH NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR, INC., Easton needs volunteers for the upcoming visitor season at the National Canal Museum in Hugh Moore Park. Volunteer opportunities exist for guides in the museum and as attendants at the newly renovated Welcome Center. Volunteers should be available Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., or Sun. from June 7^th –Labor Day weekend from 11am -4:30pm. Training will be held in May. Contact Dennis Scholl, 610-923-3548 x225, dennis@delawareandlehigh.org.

EASTERN PA DOWN SYNDROME CENTER, Allentown is asking for volunteers age 16 and up to help with our First Annual 3.21 Run on Saturday, April 19^th from 8am-noon in the Lehigh Parkway. Assistance is needed at registration, water stations, set up, clean up, parking, and greeters. This is a run/walk event. We need energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to get our runners started and to keep them going! Contact Michael Carney, 610-402-0184, michaelbcarney@hotmail.com.

EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, INC., Allentown is holding a shoe drive fund raising event. We need volunteers (individuals, businesses or community groups) to collect gently used shoes for us now through May 31^st. All shoes will be accepted: adult, children, flip flops, boots, heels, work shoes, and even athletic shoes. A collection box and flier will be provided. Contact Miki Weaver, 610-821-0311, mweaver@episcopalhouse.com.

EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY (ESCLV) is looking for retired and career professional management consultants to volunteer their expertise to non-profits in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Bill Cosgrove, 610-504-6199, esclv@ptd.net.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville seeks people who want to share their love of baseball with special needs kids. Our baseball season runs from May-October with games on Wednesdays 6-8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4:30pm. Our game schedule may be found on www.miracleleaglelv.org. Contact Melissa Borland, 484-707-5746, Melissa@miracleleaguelv.org.

SHARECARE FAITH IN ACTION needs volunteers to assist clients in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Volunteers improve the quality of life and promote independence by helping elderly and disabled clients with various caregiving services that include transportation, grocery shopping, chores, light housekeeping, etc. If you can spare just 2 hours a month, you can make a difference. We offer mileage reimbursement and flexible schedules. To learn how you can help, call Lynn Marie Heiney, 610-867-2177, ShareCare8@aol.com.

THE COCO FOUNDATION, Bethlehem is looking for volunteers to help with MayDayz event on Sunday, May 4 at Bethlehem Rose Gardens from 12-5pm. Opportunities include set up/take down, put up signs, clean up, help with carnival style games and arts and crafts stations, and sell raffle tickets. Have fun and help a good cause. Proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and Coco Foundation. Call Tina Eichlin, 484-695-8923, tina@thecocofoundation.org.

The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley has been connecting volunteers with the needs of the Lehigh Valley community for over 25 years. The organization’s mission is to engage the community to care for one another through volunteerism.

As the premier resource on volunteerism for the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities, The Volunteer Center focuses on four main areas of volunteerism: Recruitment, Placement, Recognition, and Training. The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley is affiliated nationally with The Points of Light Foundation, Hands On Network, and the Corporation for National & Community Service, and is a member of the following organizations: Volunteer Centers of Pennsylvania, the State Commission Advisory Board for Citizen Service, Keystone Service Coalition, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and Society of Volunteer Administrators of the Lehigh Valley.

As an example of the impact the Volunteer Center has on the community, in 2012, they recruited, matched, recognized and trained 17,000 volunteers. Of those, 5,000 were youth volunteers. These volunteers saved Lehigh Valley agencies and the community more than $47.5 million. The Volunteer Center collaborates with more than 50 area corporations and 450 Lehigh Valley agencies to create educational and human service partnerships to enhance and enrich the Lehigh Valley community.

Contact the Volunteer Center to receive a brochure listing agencies in need of volunteers at 610-807-0336 or e-mail: vc@volunteerlv.org. Visit our website www.volunteerlv.org for a larger listing of volunteer opportunities.