THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES is in need of seasonal gallery volunteers for the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and 1810 Goundie House. Volunteer Musical performers are also needed. Volunteers needed 11/16 to 1/10. Hours– Kemerer & Moravian Museums: 11am-5pm, Goundie House: 5-7pm. Training will be provided. Call Melanie Depcinski, 610-882-0450 x13, mdepcinski@historicbethlehem.org.

HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS needs volunteers to donate shoeboxes filled with age appropriate items for Lehigh Valley’s underprivileged children. This a great project for large or small groups, clubs, classes, families, and individuals coordinated by the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. To participate, go to www.volunteerlv.org and fill out a Holiday Hope Chest Donation Registration form.   Drop off filled shoeboxes at 2121 City Line Road, Bethlehem from 12 noon-7pm Tues.12/1, Wed. 12/2, Thurs., 12/3, or Fri. 12/4 from 10am-3pm ONLY.

INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LV (ITNLehighValley), Bethlehem is looking for volunteers to drive seniors age 60 and over and visually impaired adults anywhere they would like to go in the Lehigh Valley on Thanksgiving Day and other days. Use your own vehicle. Training will be provided. Inquire by 11/16 to Karen Schiavone, 610-419-1645, Karen.schiavone@itnlehighvalley.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville has several volunteer opportunities available with their Annual Winter Light Spectacular on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11/14-1/3.   Special activities scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Volunteers receive a free Winter Light Spectacular ticket for each time of volunteering. Call Timmi Fiske, 610-799-4171 x248, tfiske@lvzoo.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound clients by either driving a route or taking meals in to the clients. Help on a weekly, monthly, or substitute basis Monday through Friday 11am to approx. 12:30/1pm. Training provided Wed. 11/11 at 1:30pm and Mon. 11/ 23 at 10:30am.   Call Dawn Stillwagen, 610-398-2563, dstillwagen@mealsonwheelslc.org.

PHOEBE ALLENTOWN HEALTH CENTER will be holding Thanksgiving activities for their residents and needs volunteers to assist. There will be a Thanksgiving Parade from 10am to noon and a Thanksgiving Day Bingo from 1:30 to 4pm. Call by Wed. 11/ 25 – Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

THIRD STREET ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN, INC., Easton needs help on Thurs. 11/19 from 10-2pm to decorate the Simon Mansion for the holidays. Call by Tues. 11/17.   Also on Saturday. 11/18 during the Peace Candle lighting; various times 10am-1pm, 5-7pm to hand out candy canes and help visitors. Call by Wed. 11/15. Contact Brooke Mitman, 610-258-7261 x234, bmitman@thirdstreetalliance.org.

WESTMINSTER VILLAGE, Allentown is looking for volunteers to assist the Community Life Department with a Thanksgiving Day Party. Deadline to sign up is 11/19^th. Call Emily Whitmire, 610-782-8333, ewhitmire@psl.org.

VOLUNTEER CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem has several Holiday Volunteer Opportunities available. Visit our website www.volunteerlv.org for more details.

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.