THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

EQUI-LIBRIUM, INC., Nazareth provides services to children and adults with special needs using the movement of and relationship with the horse to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional function. Volunteers (age 14+) are needed to assist as horse leaders and side helpers. Daytime and evening hours are available. No horse experience necessary. We ask that you volunteer 1 hour per week for a 10 week period. Call Yvonne Darlington, 610-365-2266, volunteercoordinator@equi-librium.org.

GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NETWORK, Allentown needs volunteers to provide clerical support to various departments. Tasks may include filing, data entry, pulling charts, copying and making phone calls. Various hours between 9am-4:30pm Monday through Friday are available and everyone must attend a 2 ½ hour orientation. Call JoAnn Frey, 610-776-3125, jfrey@gsrh.org.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Bethlehem – Help our non-walkers get to/from appointments and programs within our building. Volunteers are needed to do in-house transporting for residents who are in wheelchairs. Various hours between 9am-3pm Monday through Friday are available. Contact Michael Colon, 610-746-5248, mcolon@northamptoncounty.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville is looking for committed volunteers to serve as docents by enriching people’s knowledge about conservation while being surrounded by wildlife. Many Smart FUN docent-guided guest engagement experiences are offered throughout the year. Complete a Docent Application, undergo phone screening, do 2 day mandatory training. A fee of $16 includes background check and a t-shirt. Call Timmi Fiske, 610-799-4171 x248, tfiske@lvzoo.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to do grocery shopping for seniors who are homebound and adults with disabilities who can cook, but can’t get to the store themselves. Choose what area of Lehigh County works best for you. Flexible scheduling based on client’s needs for grocery shopping (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly). Background check at our expense. Orientations – Fri. 2/27 at 10:30am and Wed. 3/4 at 1pm. Call Lindsay Fly, 610-841-7132, lfly@mealsonwheelslc.org.

MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER needs Canteen Attendants (age 18+) in our Bethlehem or Allentown locations.  Canteen Attendants monitor blood donors after their donation, ensure donors are feeling well before leaving our site, and serve drinks and snacks to our donors.  Times are Bethlehem – Monday 5:30-8:30pm and Saturday 10am-1pm; for Allentown – Thursday 5:30-8:30pm and Saturday 7am-10am.  Orientation and training provided. Call Janice Brown, 610-691-5850, jbrown@giveapint.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield needs volunteers at our ranch where animals help people and people help animals. Even though it’s winter, our animals still need caregivers and our grounds need maintenance. Hands on training will be provided along with an orientation to be scheduled at your convenience.   Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

THE SALVATION ARMY FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION SERVICES, Allentown – Looking to make a difference in the life of others? Do you have a heart for helping kids in need? Join our Children’s Services Committee and help plan our Annual Rock N’Run 4 Kids 5K on May 16! Committee meets monthly on a weekday evening 6-8PM. 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.