THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, Greater Lehigh Valley needs volunteers (age 21+) to step up to the “wheel” and drive cancer patients to scheduled treatments. “Road to Recovery” drivers must have a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, a reliable vehicle and proof of insurance, complete a background check and driver check, and attend a brief orientation. Call Jennifer Washney,  570-562-9749 x320, Jennifer.washney@cancer.org.

CENTER FOR VISION LOSS, Allentown is looking for volunteers to be “Annie’s Angels” to do home visits, read mail, and provide companionship. We also need Volunteer Drivers to drive customers to doctor appointments, shopping, or center activities. Hours are flexible and are determined by need. Training provided. Call Rita Lang, 610-433-6018, rita.lang@centerforvisionloss.org.

MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER, Bethlehem has volunteer opportunities available for 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 as needed based on volunteer’s schedule. Call Janice Brown, 610-691-5850, jbrown@giveapint.org.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville seeks people (age 13+) who want to share their love of baseball with special needs kids. Our baseball season runs from May-October with games on Wednesdays 6-8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4:30pm. Our game schedule may be found on www.miracleleaguelv.org. Call Melissa Borland, 484-707-5746, Melissa@miracleleaguelv.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown is looking for friendly, dependable adult volunteers to help in their busy Gift Shop. Tasks include light stocking, assisting customers, and ringing up sales. Hours are flexible, 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 healthy 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. Call Ainsley Benner, 610-434-0875, abenner@caclv.org.

THE COCO FOUNDATION, Bethlehem needs volunteers for its annual Tee time for Coco Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 20^th at Willow Brook Golf Course, Catasauqua. People are needed for set-up, registration, to watch competitive holes, and for clean-up. Volunteers are needed throughout the day to work flexible shifts between 8am-8pm. Call Lisa Walker, 570-954-8024, lisa@thecocofoundation.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield needs volunteers on Sunday, October19^th from 1-5pm to help with an “Open House for the Animals” as part of The Open Gate Farm Tour. People are needed to help with set up/take down, do parking, run bake sale and raffle, and handle the animals. Horse volunteers must be experienced. Live music, educational talks, and donkey cart rides will provide entertainment for all. Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

EASTERN PA DOWN SYNDROME CENTER, Trexlertown is celebratingits 15^th Annual Lehigh Valley Buddy Walk at Valley Preferred Cycling Center (the Velodrome) in Trexlertown! We are in need of volunteers (age 14+) to assist with a number of activities: parking, greeting, registration, meal distribution, and other activities. Help is needed Saturday, September 27^th from 10am-6pm; a variety of shifts are available within this time frame. Contact Sue McGorry, suedsu@gmail.com.

INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LV (ITNLehighValley), Bethlehem needs volunteer drivers to transport seniors age 60 and older and visually impaired adults in the Lehigh Valley.  91% of our rides are to medical appointments.  You choose when, where, and how often you would like to drive.  Our greatest need is in the Bethlehem area.  Call us at 610-419-1645.

LEHIGH COUNTY CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES, Allentown is looking for volunteers to spend time with persons who are living with mental health issues and assist LCCC staff teach them skills for living independently. Volunteer shifts are flexible and last up to 2 hours. Help to facilitate groups with arts and crafts, physical fitness and job training. Call Laura Rowe, 610-433-6421, lrowe@lehighchurches.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK MARATHON FOR VIA needs volunteers (age 12+) for race day on Saturday, September 6 from 6am-5pm and Sunday, September 7 from 6am-3pm, with various shifts.   Many volunteer opportunities available, e.g. cheer on runners, staff water stations, and help keep runners on course. Community groups and/or companies looking for team building opportunities are welcome! Call Karen DeLuca, 484-239-4030, volunteers@vianet.org.

SAUCON VALLEY CONSERVANCY, Bethlehem is seeking volunteers to help with the 8^th Annual Barn Tour on Saturday, September 13^th (rain or shine). Help with parking, registration, collecting tickets, and many other tasks. Training is required. Mandatory meeting will be held on Thursday, September 11^th at 7pm at Heller Homestead. For more information, call Priscilla deLeon, 610-838-1199, svconservancy@aol.com.

SHARECARE FAITH IN ACTION needs volunteers to assist clients in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Volunteers improve the quality of life and promote independence by helping elderly and disabled clients with various caregiving services that include transportation, grocery shopping, chores, light housekeeping, etc. If you can spare just 2 hours a month, you can make a difference. We offer mileage reimbursement and flexible schedules. To learn how you can help, call Lynn Marie Heiney, 610-867-2177, ShareCare8@aol.com.

SPRING GARDEN CHILDREN’S CENTER, Easton needs an experienced volunteer with website design and management to improve the design of their existing website and to update the content periodically. General knowledge of computer software navigation would be a plus, and graphic design knowledge would be an advantage. Volunteer needed on a semi-monthly basis and to be “on call” if center staff has questions/problems that could be resolved over the phone. Call Patricia Hunter, 610-252-0559, phunter@springgardenchildrenscenter.org.

TEACH RWANDA, Easton is looking for a volunteer with accounting experience to conduct an annual audit and file non-profit tax forms. Call Jan Brown, 484-542-7442, JBrown@TEACHRwanda.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.