THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

ARTSQUEST, Bethlehem needs your help on Sat. Sept. 26 to build 25,000 hygiene kits for people who can’t afford to purchase these necessities or lack access to these basics. Sign up for a 2 ½ hour shift between 8:30am to 5pm. Volunteers receive a t-shirt, a raffle ticket for great prizes, enjoy great entertainment, and more. This event is part of Clean the World’s initiative to build 200,000 kits in one day. It will take place in a tent in the parking lot at 3^rd & Foundry, behind SteelStacks and PBS39. To sign up, visit www.BethlehemCTW2015.eventbrite.com.

BETHLEHEM SPECIAL OLYMPICS is looking for volunteers every Saturday in October from 6-10pm for Haunted Woods. Tasks include directing traffic, dressing up to scare people, and leading people to the woods entrance. 100% of proceeds go towards Bethlehem Special Olympics. Sign up at www.bethlehemsopa.org or contact Dana Lindsey, bso.dana@gmail.com.

CEDARBROOK NURSING HOMES – Fountain Hill & Allentown need volunteers to help residents in wheel chairs get to in-house programs and the beauty shop. Be a VIP…brighten the lives of our residents and enrich yours! Call Kerry Magliane, 610-336-5684, kerrymagliane@lehighcounty.org.

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.

HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS is a great project for large or small groups, clubs, classes, families, and individuals coordinated by the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. Volunteers are needed to donate shoeboxes filled with age appropriate items for Lehigh Valley’s less fortunate children. To participate, to www.volunteerlv.org and fill out a Holiday Hope Chest Donation Registration form.   Filled shoeboxes may be dropped off at 2121 City Line Road, Bethlehem from 12 noon-7pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday December 1, 2, & 3, or 10am-3pm ONLY on Friday, 12/4.

MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER needs Canteen Attendants (age 18+) in our Bethlehem and Allentown locations. Canteen attendants monitor blood donations after their donations, ensure donors are feeling well before leaving the site, and serve drinks/snacks to our donors. Times: Bethlehem-Wed. and Thurs. 5:30-8:30pm; Allentown –Thurs. 5:30-8:30pm, and Sat. 7-10am.   Call Janice Brown, 610-691-5850, jbrown@giveapint.org.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville is gearing up for fall baseball games and needs volunteers to help children with special needs play baseball on Friday night at 7pm and run bases, swing a bat, and play catch in the outfield. No prior experience working with special needs children required. Call Jerilyn Kronstadt, 610-769-2096, jerilyn@miracleleaguelv.org.

VOLUNTEER CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem is looking for volunteers to coordinate drives for empty shoe boxes to be used for our annual “Holiday Hope Chests” program. Save those empty boxes from “back to school shopping,” and put them to good use!   Shoe boxes may be dropped off at our address 2121 City Line Rd, Bethlehem between 8:30am-4:30PM Monday to Friday. Call Sandie Kelly, 610-807-0336, skelly@volunteerlv.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.