THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NETWORK, Allentown needs volunteers to sit and monitor the front desk and locked doors at in-patient pediatrics in the evenings 3:30-9pm and on weekends 8am to 8pm. Must have child, background, and FBI fingerprinting tests done and be 16+ years of age. Training will be provided. Call JoAnn Frey, 610-776-3125, jfrey@gsrh.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.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Bethlehem is in need of persons willing to grocery shop for homebound clients living in the Slate Belt area. Volunteer assignments will be scheduled according to your availability. Must be 18 years to shop alone, 14 if shopping with parent/guardian. We also need people for meal delivery in the Cherryville area. Join our team by calling Janet Soos, 610-691-1030, janets@mealsonwheelspa.org.

MORAVIAN HALL SQUARE, Nazareth needs volunteers to participate in our Helping Hands program in Moravian Springs Health Center. This program is looking for caring individuals to serve trays, escort residents to and from the dining room. Hours are from 7:30-10am, 11:30am-1:15pm or 4:45-6pm daily. Training provided upon application and interview completion. Minimum age is 16. Contact Laurie Brunstetter, 610-746-1334, laurieb@moravian.com.

NORTHEAST MINISTRY FOOD BANK, Bethlehem is looking for Food Bank Assistants to help as often as possible on food distribution days – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am-noon. It is helpful for volunteers to assist at least one day per month. Call Ann Gibson, 610-691-3355, gibsona@northeastministry.com.

SHARE CARE FAITH IN ACTION, Bethlehem is looking forvolunteers to assist clients in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Volunteers help elderly/disabled clients with various caregiving services that include transportation, grocery shopping, chores, light housekeeping, etc. If you can spare just two hours a month, you can make a difference in the life of a member of our community. We offer mileage reimbursement and flexible schedules. Call Lynn Marie Heiney, 610-867-2177, ShareCare@aol.com.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield is participating in the Open Gate Farm Tour, Sunday, October 20 from 1-5pm. Help is needed with our petting zoo, pony and donkey cart rides, raffle, food stands, etc. Don’t miss the fun at our ranch where animals help people and people help animals. Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

THE LITERACY CENTER, Allentown needs volunteers to help Lehigh Valley adults to improve their reading, writing, or math skills so that they can obtain the tools needed to succeed in life. Volunteers can assist in a variety of ways: one-on-one tutoring, small group sessions, classroom and technology lab assistants, registering and testing of students. Various sites throughout the Lehigh Valley are available. A commitment of three hours per week for six months is required for most volunteer positions. Initial and on-going training provided. For more info, call Karen Ennis, 610-435-0680 x123, kennis@theliteracycenter-lv.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.