THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

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.

COMPEER PROGRAM OF FAMILY ANSWERS, Allentown is looking for volunteers who want to improve people’s quality of life through friendship. We match volunteers with clients who live with chronic mental illness. Be a friend, listen to one another, go for walks, watch a video, or do a craft, etc. Must be 18+ years of age, pass criminal background and child abuse checks, have a valid driver’s license, and provide 3 personal references. Call Vicky Conte, 610-435-9651 x109, vconte@familyanswers.org.

DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER, Allentown needs adult volunteers for Floor Exhibits. 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. Call Jen Pors, 484-664-1002, Jen@davincisciencecenter.org.

GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NETWORK, Allentown needs volunteers to provide clerical support to requesting departments. Tasks may include filing, data entry, copying, and making phone calls. Varying shifts during 8AM – 4Pm Monday through Friday. Minimum age 14. Contact JoAnn Frey, 610-776-3125, jfrey@gsrh.org.

PHOEBE RICHLAND HEALTH CARE CENTER, Richlandtown is seeking patient and compassionate volunteers to be “Care Companions”. These volunteers pass water and ice, make beds, open mail, water plants, and offer some TLC to those who need it. Volunteers help our aids by answering call bells for things such as opening curtains, turning on TVs, picking up dropped objects. These volunteers work closely with the residents, and nursing staff. Training will be provided on site. Minimum age 13 or completed 7th grade. Contact Suzanne Sabo, (267) 371-4504, ssabo@phoebe.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown invites you to join us for our “Go for the Gold” event and come observe the workings of our Volunteer Department during the week of Monday, March 24th through Friday, March 28th. Refreshments, complimentary lunch, free parking and a welcome packet on volunteering will be provided. Please RSVP, call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

SAUCON VALLEY CONSERVANCY, Bethlehem is seeking volunteers to help with our Annual Saucon Valley History Day on Saturday, April 26 to facilitate activities, such as a plant sale, craft show, yard sale and refreshments, as well as information tables promoting our history. Contact Priscilla deLeon 610-216-0566, SVConservancy@aol.com.

THE GRESS MOUNTAN RANCH, Orefield has several volunteer opportunities available at our ranch. Even though it’s winter, our animals still need caregivers and our grounds need maintenance. Administratively we need a grant writer, story writer, board members, and an administrative assistant. On-site training will be provided. Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

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.