THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS, Allentown needs “Earn-a-Bike” instructors for children ages 9-17. Volunteers will mentor and assist children in repairing bicycles. Commitment is one weeknight 6-8pm for 12 weeks. No experience necessary. Training provided. Call James Williams, 610-434-1140, james@communitybikeworks.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 CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Allentown – LCCC of Career Pathways and Literacy is looking for tutors for their GED and ESL programs. A Bachelor’s Degree is required for tutoring as well as a commitment of at least 3 hours per week. Days and times are flexible. We could use tutors mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Tutor orientations – Tues. Feb 3^rd at 6pm and Wed. Feb. 4^th at 1pm. Call Allison Ludlow, 610-799-1216, volunteertutor@lccc.edu.

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. Ability to 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. 1/30 at 10:30am and Wed. 2/4 at 1pm. Call Lindsay Fly, 610-841-7132, lfly@mealsonwheelslc.org.

PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION OF THE LV., INC, Bethlehem has many volunteer opportunities and times available for their 6^th Annual Run/Walk to Live to Spread the Gold on Sat. March 28^th at the Ironton Rail Trail, Coplay from 6am-1pm. Funds raised ensure the continuation of free programs that enable us to provide for children with cancer and their families. Call Lisa Kappes, 610-297-7292, lisa@pcflv.org.

PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY THERAPY DOGS, INC., Kutztown has local volunteer opportunities for all breeds of dogs to become “Therapy Dogs” and visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and other facilities throughout the Lehigh Valley. Therapy dogs must have basic obedience training and obey basic commands, even when excited. They should be sociable, love meeting new people, get along well with other dogs, be gentle and polite, and under owner’s control at all times. Call Helene Skopek-Krygier, 570-814-6078, poycdogs@yahoo.com.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown needs dependable volunteers who enjoy delivering exceptional customer service! Duties include welcoming patients and registering them for services. Flexible shifts Monday through Friday. Training provided. Call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS, Bethlehem – Help coach one of the following sports – roller skating, ice skating, soccer, bocce, volleyball, cross country skiing, basketball, golf, bowling, softball, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, power lifting, snow shoeing, aquatics (swimming). Volunteers should have a caring heart, enjoy having fun, and be comfortable working one-on-one with a special needs athlete. Call Dana Lindsey, 610-264-3616, volunteers@bethlehemsopa.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.