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.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, Bethlehem needs volunteers to join in the fight against breast cancer! Join the planning committee or form a team for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in the Lehigh Valley. Flexible date, days, and times. Contact Donna Lilly, 610.921.2329, donna.lilly@cancer.org

CENTER FOR VISION LOSS, Allentown is looking for volunteers to be “Annie’s Angels” to do home visits, read mail, and provide companionship. We also need Volunteer Drivers to drive customers to doctor appointments, shopping, or center activities. Hours are flexible and are determined by need. Training provided. Call Rita Lang, 610-433-6018, rita.lang@centerforvisionloss.org

COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS, Allentown needs “Earn-a-Bike” instructors for children ages 9-17. Volunteers will mentor and assist children in repairing bicycles. Commitment is one weeknight 6-8pm for 12 weeks. No experience necessary. Training provided. Contact James Williams, 610-434-1140, james@communitybikeworks.org

EQUI-LIBRIUM, INC., Sciota is in need of volunteers to help with riders and horses in our Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies Program for people with disabilities. Must assist with additional barn chores. Program runs six days a week, with lessons throughout the week, mostly in the evenings. Training given every first Saturday of the month from 12:30-4:30pm. Minimum age is 14. Contact Yvonne Darlington, 570-992-7722, elvolunteer@epix.net

HISPANIC CENTER OF LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem is looking for a volunteer to serve as their Volunteer Coordinator. This high spirited, caring, and organized leader will be in charge of our volunteer program and lead our partnership program with CareerLink and Work Ready Program. Must be a team player with a focus on empowerment and be able to use our volunteer opportunities as a way to tap into people’s strengths and capacities. Call Lorna Velazquez, 610-868-7800 x221, lvelazquez@hclv.org

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville needs volunteers for Run Wild at LV Zoo 10K and 5K Run on Sun. Aug. 18. We need people on the race course directing runners along the path, but also need help cutting up fruit, with registration, giving water out at water stations, helping to distribute food/drinks at finish line, and help cheering on runners on final lap around Zoo. Volunteers should be at the Zoo by 7:30am. Contact Alan Raisman, 610-799-4171 x224, araisman@lvzoo.org

NCC CENTER FOR ADULT LITERACY, Bethlehem needs volunteers to tutor adults in basic education, GED Test preparation, and English as a Second Language. Classroom Assistant and Small Group Leader opportunities are available. Volunteers tutor once/twice a week, mornings or evenings Mon.-Thur. An Orientation Workshop will be held Wed. Aug 14, 5pm at the Fowler Center. Pre-registration required (7/29 deadline). Prior to attending workshop, registrants required to participate in brief, free online intro course. For details, contact Kathy Rector, 610-332-6424, tutoringinfo@northampton.edu

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield needs adult and junior volunteers for summer Ranch Camp. Help campers enjoy a fun-filled week on a real working ranch! Activities you will be helping with include: horsemanship, donkey cart rides, needle-felting, storytelling and more. Share knowledge of care and feeding of pigs, donkeys, goats, alpacas, and horses. Daily themes include Team Work and The Spirit of Volunteerism. Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com

CENTER FOR HUMANISTIC CHANGE, Bethlehem is searching for vibrant community members to become active board members. Board members provide oversight and assistance, attend 5 board meetings a year, and are active participants on one of our committees. Potential members will be interviewed, and an orientation will be conducted for new members. Contact Mary Ellen Jackson, 484-821-0375, mejackson@thechc.org

LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK MARATHON FOR VIA needs volunteers for race day on Sunday, September 8, 2013.  Cheer on runners, staff water stations and other opportunities.  Groups and students are welcome!  All volunteers receive a T-shirt.  Shifts vary from 2 to 6 hours, with start times from 5:30 – 7am.  Register online at www.vianet.org and click on the volunteer button or contact Karen DeLuca at 484-239-4030 or volunteers@vianet.org

LEHIGH VALLEY SCORE, Bethlehem seeks experienced business professionals to offer in-person and online counseling and advice to start ups and in-business owners of small businesses and non-profit organizations. Orientation and training provided. Contact Mitzi Colella, 610-266-3000, mcolella@lvscore.org

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville needs baseball fans to volunteer as “Baseball Angels.” Have fun with special needs players by being their “angel”(buddy) helping the players to bat, run bases, and have a catch while having a great time! Games continue throughout the summer. No training is required. Call Andy Squire, 610-984-5142, andy@miracleleaguelv.org

MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Nazareth seeks volunteers to help with a variety of tasks: front desk, greeters at the museum, administrative office helpers, general landscaping helpers, data entry, collections inventory helper, and more. Great Resume experience! Volunteers are needed every day. Shifts are flexible and will be based around your schedule. Training will be provided. Minimum age is 16. Contact Megan vanRavenswaay, 610-759-5070, info@moravianhistoricalsociety.org

PHOEBE MINISTRIES, Allentown needs volunteers for annual Peach Festival, August 14 from 3:30-8:30pm. Help residents to the event so they can enjoy peach tea, peach ice cream, peach shortcake, BBQ, and the Allentown Band. Fun activities/moon bounce, games and prizes. Must be at least 13 years of age. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org

ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK-Anderson, Bethlehem, & Quakertown Campuses need volunteers in various areas, such as Gift Shop, OR Waiting Rooms, and as Patient Advocates. These areas help create a warm, welcoming environment and make a big difference to our patients and their family members. Join our team by completing application at www.slhn.org keyword search volunteer or call 484-526-4600.

THE SANCTUARY AT HAAFSVILLE, Breinigsville needs foster homes for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Fosters provide shelter, food, water, training, and a lot of love to our animals while they are waiting to find their permanent “furever” homes. Opportunities can be short or long-term. No training is required; must be 18 or over. Contact Liz Jones, 484-788-8062, info@thesanctuarypa.org

ARTS QUEST, Bethlehem is looking for friendly and energetic volunteers ages 15-80 to volunteer for Musikfest July/August, 2013.  The festival runs from 8/2-8/11.  Opportunities are available as ticket sellers, soda and alcoholic beverage service, EcoSquad, stage hands, Street Team, etc.  For more information, contact us or visit our website, www.musikfest.org/volunteers. We ask that our volunteers do three shifts totaling 18 hours.  Contact Hillary Harper, 610-332-1370, hharper@artsquest.org

BETHLEHEM SPECIAL OLYMPICS is seeking volunteers to serve as coaches, assistant coaches, general volunteers, and management team personnel. Programs that need volunteers are swimming Tuesday 6-8pm, bowling Wednesday 3:30-5pm, Leaders for Management Team, and Fundraising Team. Contact Bob Sehee, 610-419-3285, volunteers@bethlehemsopa.org

DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER, Allentown needs Exhibit Floor volunteers. These volunteers should be enthusiastic, curious, and comfortable speaking with individuals/groups of all ages, and working on the floor for up to four straight hours. Training provided. Hours are 9:30am-5pm Monday through Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday; must perform at least 36 hours over a 3 month period. Minimum age is 14. Call Jen Pors, 484-664-1002, Jen@davincisciencecenter.org

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

KIDS PEACE, Orefield is looking for volunteers to help with their 16th Annual KidsPeace Soccer Invitational on Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18. Volunteers will help with concessions, traffic control, field marshal, and registration. Minimum age is 15; those under 15 are required to have parent/guardian support. Call Kristy Fogelman, 610-799-8444, kristy.fogelman@kidspeace.org

SHARECARE FAITH IN ACTION – Musikfest goes August 2 – 11 and volunteers are needed from 6:30 – 9:30 at all sites to hand out towelettes at the portalettes and ask for donations. Can you spare 3 hours to help promote ShareCare? All volunteers receive a t-shirt. We need you to make it a success!! Minimum age is 16. Contact: Lynn Heiney, 610-867-2177, ShareCare@aol.com

THE PERFECT FIT, Allentown is looking for volunteers to help women find the perfect interview suit and first week of clothing for their new job. Volunteers will also sort and tag donations. Time commitment is as much or as little as you are able; 9:30-1pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday; 12:30-4pm Wednesday; 11am-3pm Friday. Contact: Heidi Lennick, 610-871-5060, manager@theperfectfit.org

THE SALVATION ARMY CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Allentown has need for an Office Helper in their Foster Care & Adoption Services Office. Volunteer will assist with small office projects, such as organizing files, copying, and collating mailings. The volunteer can also provide help with set up of special events. Flexible hours between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Training will be provided on site at the start of the project. Minimum age of 16. Call Florence Rhue, 610-821-7706, Florence_rhue@use.salvationarmy.org

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