THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

AMERICA ON WHEELS, Allentown needs volunteers for Gift Shop/Admission Assistants (handling register required) on Saturdays 10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm and Sundays noon-4pm. Help customers with merchandise and take admissions. Training provided. Call Liz Hahn, 610-432-4200 x10, fund_development@americaonwheels.org.

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES proudly announces its 12^th Annual Turkey Trot 5kRun, a competitive and fun walk, scheduled for Saturday, November 29.  Since this race has grown significantly, volunteers play a key role in assuring the success of the race.  Volunteers are needed Nov. 28 and 29.  Some of the roles include helping with registration, being a race marshal, handing out post-race refreshments, t-shirt handout and many more.  Call Melanie Depcinski, 610-882-0450 x13, mdepcinski@historicbethlehem.org.

LIBERTY BELL MUSEUM, Allentown is looking for help for our Pip VIP event on November 20, 2014 from 5-8 p.m.  We need people to help serve food (simple appetizers) and man the kitchen (put food on plates ready to be served). Free parking is available. Deadline for volunteer inquiry is November 10^th. Call Sara Jane Brace, 610-435-4232, sarajane.brace@libertybellmuseum.org.

LEHIGH COUNTY CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES, Allentown needs large/small groups, organizations, and individuals to organize drives for items for their winter shelter that will be opening November 1^st in our basement. Collection items needed are blankets, coats, hats, gloves, new socks, toiletries (including toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, printer paper and other office supplies. Call Laura Rowe, 610-433-6421 x6101, lrowe@lehighchurches.org

LEHIGH VALLEY SCORE, Bethlehem seeks experienced business professionals to offer in-person and online counseling and advice to start ups and in-business owners of small businesses and non-profit organizations. Orientation and training provided. Call Mitzi Colella, 610-266-3000, mcolella@lvscore.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville has several volunteer opportunities available. Help is needed with our ZOOrific Silent Auction on 10/25/, 10/26, 11/1, and 11/2. Duties include set up help from 8-10am, and from 10am-5pm welcome guests, answer questions, and break down Silent Auction. Call Alan Raisman, 610-799-4171-x224, araisman@lvzoo.org.

PHOEBE HOME NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, Allentown – Our residents love to sing and enjoy listening to music! We are always looking for volunteers to spend time with our residents and share their musical abilities. We have a piano in every dining room, but we would welcome any type of instrument. Please consider sharing your talents with us. Training is provided during orientation. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

SALVATION ARMY CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Allentown is seeking volunteers (age 14+) to assist with “Fit for Family: Zumba, Insanity and Yoga-Thon” event on Saturday, November 22^nd. Opportunities include greeters, refreshment assistants, registration helpers, set up/breakdown assistants, and kids craft helpers. Shifts are 11am-1pm, 12:15-3pm, 1-4pm, and 3:30-5:30pm. Call Jan Musser Geier, 610-821-7706, Jan.mussergeier@use.salvationarmy.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.