THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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.

GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NETWORK, Allentown is recruiting volunteers for the hospital gift shop, inpatient pediatrics and personal assistants for the Raker and Bethlehem residents. Dates and times are flexible between 8am-5pm; some weekends available. Two and a half hour orientation. Background checks for adults, 2 step TB test and flu shots are required. Minimum age is 16. Contact JoAnn Frey, 610-776-3125, jfrey@gsrh.org.

HISPANIC CENTER LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem can use help in the Food Pantry: shopping for food, stocking shelves, unloading truck when food is delivered – usually the 2nd Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. and on occasion when we have to do additional shopping. The 3rd Saturday of the month from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. we need volunteers to help with the intake of clients and help guide clients in the food selection process. Contact Lorna Velázquez, 610-868-7800×221, lvelazquez@hclv.org.

MORAVIAN HALL SQUARE, Nazareth has a volunteer opportunity in its Good Spirits General Store and Gift Shop Sales. Volunteers are needed for customer service. Must learn electronic sale scannerand should enjoy working with people and gifts. Store is open from 11am-4:30pm Monday-Friday and 11am-3pm Saturday. Morning or afternoon shifts are available. Training will be provided. Minimum age is 18. Contact Laurie Brunstetter, 610-746-1334, laurieb@moravian.com.

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. 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 volunteer assistance helping our residents to our community room and assisting one to one with residents during Bingo 1:30 PM – 04:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day. Our residents love Bingo! Minimum age 13. Contact Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org. 

THE SALVATION ARMY CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Allentown has a fun opportunity for volunteers who enjoy helping with children’s activities and family fun events. Special events include upcoming 5K Run, Foster Parent Appreciation Banquet, Family Picnic, Fall Festival, Christmas Party, and events that raise awareness about foster care and adoption. Contact Florence Rhue, 610-821-7706, Florence_rhue@use.salvationarmy.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.