THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LEHIGH VALLEY, Allentown needs volunteers to help with registration, packet pick-up, finish line, race course, and Country Fair at the Corner Store Run at Lehigh University on August 22. Three shifts available from 6:30am-10:30am, 7:30am-11:30am, or 6:30am-11:30am. Volunteers under 18 years must have parent sign online waiver; less than 12 years must have adult with them at all times. Register online at http://www.cornerstorerun.com/volunteer. Call 610-391-1827.

DELAWARE & LEHIGH NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR, Easton needs volunteers to become guides and volunteers to work as gift shop attendants at the National Canal Museum in Hugh Moore Park, Easton, for the upcoming visitor season. The museum is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday. Call Dennis Scholl, 610-923-3548 x225, dennis@delawareandlehigh.org.

EASTON AREA NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS, INC. is looking for volunteers to help with picking up donations once a month at Second Harvest Food Bank in Allentown. A large vehicle like a SUV or small truck is necessary. Volunteer must have valid driver’s license, an insured vehicle, and should be able to lift up to 50 lbs. We send help with this volunteer whenever possible. Call Judy Matthewson, 610-253-4253, jmatthewson@eastonanc.org.

EQUI-LIBRIUM, INC., Nazareth – Summer Camp for children and adults with disabilities and general public needs volunteers (age 14+ years) for four separate weeks (June 22-27, July 13-17, July 27-31, and August 17-21) from 8:30am-12:30pm. Help with riding lessons (horse leaders and side helpers) and with horse related activities. Horse knowledge is not required. Short training provided. Call Yvonne Darlington, 610-365-2266, volunteercoordinator@equi-librium.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown – Discover how easy and rewarding it is to deliver meals to our homebound clients. Teams of 2 deliver on 33 routes throughout Lehigh County. Drive a route or ride along as a visitor. Bring a friend and form a team or let us provide a partner for you. Times are Monday to Friday 11am-1pm. Join us once a week, once a month, or whenever you’re available. Training dates: 1pm Tues. 6/23; 1:30pm Tues. 7/14; 10am Thurs. 7/23. Call to register – Dawn Stillwagen, 610-398-2563, dstillwagen@mealsonwheelslc.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown – Reliable, friendly volunteers are needed for our Gift Shop. Duties include light stocking, customer assistance, and completing sales. Weekdays, evenings, and weekend shifts available; training provided. Call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield has volunteer opportunities available for Summer Ranch Camp June 22-26, July 13-17, and August 3-7 from 9am-2pm. Campers are children from 3^rd grade through 10^th grade. Training will be provided. Adult volunteers must have abuse and criminal clearances. Seniors in high school, college students, and adults are needed to operate this event. Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

UNITED WAY of the GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY, Allentown is seeking volunteers for their Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program. These positions will focus their efforts to support the educational goals of the UWGLV. For more specific information, call Jennifer Nicolosi, 610-807-5729, jennifern@unitedwayglv.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.