THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

BOOK BUDDIES, Allentown is a literacy program lead by youth volunteers (age 10+).  Volunteers will work at the Sixth Street Boys and Girls Club with kindergarteners in order to strengthen literacy skills such as word recognition, alliteration, and rhyming. The program will run June 24 to August 8 from 10:30am to 11:30am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  An interview and training are required.  If interested in being a Book Buddy, email summer@volunteerlv.org.

CAMELOT FOR CHILDREN, INC., Allentown is seeking youth (age 15+) to be buddied up one-on-one with special needs children at Camelot Day Camp beginning June 23 – August 8, Monday through Friday 8am-4pm.  Have fun and encourage campers to participate in activities.  Enthusiasm and willingness to be a team player are all that is needed.  Call Barbara Vogelgesang, 610-791-5683, barbarav@camelotforchildren.org.

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES – Join us as a volunteer for the sweetest festival, our Annual Blueberry Festival!  Many opportunities available (e.g. parking & entrance attendants, volunteer & entertainer check-in, beverage & food, family tours & activities, and runners).  Help is needed Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 for shifts 9:30am-1pm, 12:30-4pm, and 3:30-7:30pm.  Must be 14+years of age.  Call Melanie Depcinski, 610-691-6055 x16, mdepcinski@historicbethlehem.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ACTIVE LIFE (formerly Lehigh County Senior Center), Allentown has openings for volunteers 16+ years of age to help our senior members get all they can from their iPhones and iPads, from basics to more advanced uses.  This is a great opportunity for high school students to build their resumes and help older persons, who are great students and very appreciative.  Contact Rick Daugherty, 610-437-3700, rick@lvactivelife.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPICE, Allentown needs friendly, dependable adult volunteers for busy Gift Shop.  Tasks include light stocking, assisting customers, ringing up sales.  Flexible hours available and training will be provided.  Call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK, Allentown is holding a six week program “Cooking Matters” that empowers low-income families to shop and prepare health meals on a budget.  Volunteers are needed to be Chef Instructors, Nutrition Instructors, and Class Assistants.  These are two hour, hands-on classes that vary in topics which give participants the tools to sustain healthier lives.  Learn more by contacting Ainsley Benner, 610-434-0875, abenner@caclv.org.

SIXTH STREET SHELTER, Allentown needs volunteers to help with the maintenance of their flower beds.  We are looking for committed volunteers to donate an hour of their time to weed and maintain our garden.  Volunteers are required to attend an hour orientation, and must be able to bend, squat, sit, and use gardening tools.  Call Lauren Kormanik, 610-435-1490, lkormanik@caclv.org.

VOLUNTEER CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem is recruiting youth for 2014 goLEAD Leadership Program which will take place from 9am to 3pm on Monday, July 14 to Friday, July 18.  Applications may be found on www.volunteerlv.org and must be submitted by Friday, June 27.  Please contact 610-807-0336, youth@volunteerlv.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.