THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, Bethlehem needs drivers for their “Road to Recovery” program. Volunteers drive patients to and from cancer related appointments (chemotherapy and radiation) in Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Drivers must be 21 years of age, have a valid PA driver’s license, proof of insurance, safe driving record, clear background check and driving check are required. Contact Donna Lilly, 610-921-2329, donna.lilly@cancer.org.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Nazareth needs volunteers to brighten our residents’ days by helping with activities (card games, bingo, field trips, concerts, and seasonal parties). Help is also needed in getting residents to appointments within the facility. Share your warm personality with our residents with one-to-one visitations. Hours vary morning, afternoon, and evening seven days a week. Call Michael Colon, 610-746-5248, mcolon@northamtoncounty.org.

HISPANIC CENTER OF LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem – Help us help our community by volunteering at our food pantry. We need people to help with the intake process, help people make good food choices, and try to link them to community resources, etc. Other tasks include unloading food, inventorying food, putting food on shelves, checking expiration dates, etc. Must be able to do stairs. Minimum age is 16. Call Lorna Velazquez, 610-868-7800, lvelazquez@hclv.org.

KIRKLAND VILLAGE, Bethlehem has many residents who are in wheelchairs and need assistance getting to and from physical therapy, to activities (bingo, concerts, etc.) or getting outside to sit on the patio. We are looking for volunteers to transport these wheelchair residents. Volunteers are required to take an orientation class (about 75 min.) and receive training in wheelchair transport. Contact Connie Cain, 610-691-4515, ccain@presbyterianseniorliving.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. Contact Mitzi Colella, 610-266-3000, mcolella@lvscore.org.

MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER, Allentown needs adult volunteers to serve as Canteen Attendants to serve snacks and drinks to blood donors after their donation and monitor them to make sure they are feeling well before leaving the center. Times needed are Wed. and Thurs. evenings from 5:30-8:30pm on-call for volunteers to cover vacations. Job training and safety provided at orientation and on the job sessions as needed. Contact Janice Brown, 610-691-5850, jbrown@hcsc.org.

PHOEBE NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER, Allentown has wonderful opportunities for volunteering during the Christmas season. We have parties and special events where assistance is needed. Special help is needed to escort residents to parties, help serve food, and help distribute gifts. Minimum age without parental support is 13. Upcoming dates and times are: 12/24 11am-2pm and 12/25 10:30am-2pm. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

THE SALVATION ARMY CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Allentown is seeking an energetic individual to become an active member of the Children’s Services Committee. Teamwork, brainstorming, event planning, collaborating, and fulfilling tasks are all involved in this position. Members are expected to attend monthly committee meetings. A lot of flexibility is involved and much of the work may be done on your own time. Call Florence Rhue, 610-821-7706, Florence_rhue@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.