THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

AMERICAN RED CROSS, Allentown is partnering with fire departments and community groups to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires.  They need volunteers to help teach people about home fire safety and install smoke alarms.  Scheduled smoke alarm installation events are 9am-3pm on June 11- Emmaus, June 18 – Upper Black Eddy, June 25 – Slatedale.  Training provided.  Call Susan Kalkhuis-Beam, 484-403-4718 or visit their website www.redcross.org/locl/eastern-pa.

CAMELOT FOR CHILDREN, INC., Allentown needs volunteers to help with the Roger Worman Memorial Bike Ride benefiting Camelot for Children from 7:30am-noon on Saturday, June 18.  Volunteers will assist with manning stations along the bike ride, helping with check-in tables, setting up, breaking down event, and helping with craft table.  Call Christine Cleaver, 610-791-5683, chrisc@camelotforchildren.org.

EASTERN PA DOWN SYNDROME CENTER, Trexlertown needs a volunteer with computer expertise in fundraiser administrator websites ie:  Donor Drive.  Each fall the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center hosts a “Buddy Walk.”  Donor Drive is used for this info, registration, and donations.  The volunteer will help create this year’s website using the fields created by Donor Drive and periodically update and check for messages.  Work on an as needed basis from now until the beginning of October.  Call Melissa Baker, 610-402-0188, epdscevents@gmail.com.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Nazareth is recruiting for Evening Hospitality Volunteers to greet and orient new residents to Gracedale by welcoming them to the facility, showing them locations of interest and answering any questions they have.  Also to assist in following up with residents to ensure that they are comfortable.  Time frame is between 4pm and 7pm.  Orientation and background check required.  Call Michael Colon, 610-746-5248, mcolon@northamptoncounty.org.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LV RESTORE, Whitehall is looking for “Mixologists” to come and ReMix some latex paint to create new recolor latex paint product for sale at the ReStore.  Volunteers will assist with sorting colors, opening paint cans, mixing paint, dispensing the new paint, and labeling new cans.  Shifts are 10am-2pm or 2pm-5pm on Thursdays and Fridays.  Call Camille Urbano, 610-776-7737, Camille@habitatlv.org.

PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY THERAPY DOGS, INC., Kutztown has local volunteer opportunities for all breeds of dogs to become “Therapy Dogs” and visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and other facilities throughout the Lehigh Valley.  Therapy dogs must have basic obedience training and obey basic commands, even when excited.  Dogs should be sociable, love meeting new people, get along well with other dogs, be gentle and polite, and under owner’s control at all times.  Call Helene Skopek-Krygier, 570-814-6078, poycdogs@yahoo.com.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown needs reliable, friendly volunteers for the Hospital 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.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK, Nazareth – Are you available 7am-2:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or 7am-12pm Friday?  If so, Second Harvest needs volunteers to help sort donations so items can be distributed to those in need.  Training will be given upon arrival for first shift.  Call Maria Arcelay, 484-287-4015, shfb-info@caclv.org.

CEDARBROOK NURSING HOME, Allentown is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to escort/push residents in wheelchairs from inside nursing home to outside around their parking lot to see a car show.  Training will be given at the event to be held Tues. June 21^st from 5-8:15pm.  With your help, their residents can enjoy the show and a stroll outside.  Call Kerry Magliane, 610-336-5684, kerrymagliane@lehighcounty.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.  Call James Williams, 610-434-1140, james@communitybikeworks.org.

FLINT HILL FARM EDUCATIONAL CENTER, Coopersburg is looking for volunteers to help with their Spring Hoedown & Farm to Table Dinner on Saturday, June 11^th.  Volunteers are needed to help with parking, tours, etc. the night of the event and set-up help is needed prior to the event.  For more information, call Kathleen Fields, 610-838-2928, Kathy@flinthill-farm.org.

FOUNTAIN HILL CEMETERY needs volunteers for weeding, trimming of shrubs and weed-whacking in the Green Meadow Natural Burial Ground. Other outdoor projects available include marking of graves and other small projects. Get healthy exercise! Join us whenever you are available. Minimum age 16.  Contact Ed Vogrins, 610-868-4840, info@greenmeadowpa.org.

HOLY FAMILY MANOR, Bethlehem has several opportunities for youth volunteers.  Be a companion to a resident by visiting, going outdoors, playing a game.  Help seniors learn new things such as computers, iPad, Wii games, make music lists, etc.  Help residents fill bird baths and bird feeders.  Help with minor clerical tasks.  Volunteers must attend a training held Fri. 6/10 10amm-12noon, or Mon. 6/13 6-8pm.  Call Rose Lance, 610-865-5595 x522, rlance@hfmanor.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to serve as Camp Counselors during our annual Ranch Camp.  Enhance your leadership skills while mentoring children in grades 3 through 10 on basic care, feeding, and health of horses, donkeys, alpacas, goats, and pigs.   Sign up for one, two, or all three weeks (June 20-24, July 11-15, and August 1-5 from 9am to 2pm).  Preferable that you volunteer for the entire week; we will try to accommodate partial week requests.  Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, GressRanch@gmail.com with “Ranch Camp” in subject line.

THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville – Volunteers are needed to help children with special needs play baseball.  Games last 1 hour and are scheduled for Wednesdays @6:30pm, Fridays @6:30pm,  Saturdays @11am-3pm, and Sundays @12:30-4pm.  No prior special needs experience needed.   Register at website:  www.miracleleaguelv.org or call Jerilyn Kronstadt, 610-769-2096, Jerilyn@miracleleaguelv.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.

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.