THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

CAMELOT FOR CHILDREN, INC., Allentown is looking for volunteers (age 14+) to help with Camp Camelot from July 6 to August 21. Each week is a different theme and includes a field trip on Wednesdays and guest speakers on Fridays. Camp focuses on improving social interaction skills.An orientation prior to camp must be attended by all volunteers. Call Kristen Bond, 610-791-5683, kristenb@camelotforchildren.org.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Bethlehem – Help our non-walkers get to/from appointments and programs within our building. Volunteers are needed to do in-house transporting for residents who are in wheelchairs. Various hours between 9am-3pm Monday through Friday are available. Contact Michael Colon, 610-746-5248, mcolon@northamptoncounty.org.

SAUCON VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER, Hellertown needs volunteers for the Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, June 8 from 8am until 3pm. Knowledge of golf would be helpful, but is not required. Volunteers would sit at holes designated for prizes. Call Erin Siegfried, 610-838-0722, erin@svcommctr.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.

TABOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Doylestown is seeking mentors! Tabor Services is expanding into the Lehigh Valley and are looking for compassionate adults (aged 25+) to build relationships with youth in our community. Generally two hours a week, intended to create empowering relationships for children. Training required. Call Nykea Alvarez, 610-739-0524, nykea.alvarez-macey@tabor.org.

THE COCO FOUNDATION, Bethlehem needs volunteers (age 13+) for the 5^th Annual Miles for Coco 5k Run/Walk on Sunday, April 19 at the Lehigh Parkway. Help is needed for several race related functions from set up, registration, kids’ activities, parking directors, clean up, food set up, etc. Various time slots available between 6am to 1pm. Call Tina Eichlin, 484-695-8923, tina@thecocofoundation.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield – Ranch Camp volunteers (adults and college age) are needed for 3 weeks – June 22, July 13, and August 3 – Monday through Friday from 9am-2pm. This camp is provided for under-privileged children and children from 3^rd grade to 10^th. For more details, call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

THE LITERACY CENTER, Allentown is looking for literacy tutors to do small group tutoring and for classroom support for GED and ESL students. Small group tutors meet once or twice a week. A six month commitment is requested and materials are provided. Classroom support volunteers work either in the classroom or individually outside the classroom with a student. Literacy tutors need to have some teaching experience, be comfortable developing lesson plans and working with adult learners, and should be able to commit to at least 3 hours a week. Call Lisa Johnson, 610-435-0680, ljohnson@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.