THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

EASTERN PA DOWN SYNDROME CENTER, Allentown needs volunteers (15+ years) for the 3.21 Run for Down Syndrome on Saturday, April 18 in the Lehigh Parkway. The unique 3.21 distance symbolizes the 3 copies of the 21^st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome. Sign up to assist with registration and start, man the refreshment table, or act as course guides. Call Maria Floryshak, 610-402-0184, The EPDSC@gmail.com.

FEED THE CHILDREN, Bethlehem has an opportunity for one or two volunteers to serve as receptionist Monday to Friday 9am to noon at our Bethlehem distribution center. Responsibilities include welcoming visitors, checking in volunteers, updating the volunteer database, and assisting the volunteer supervisor with other tasks. Must be reliable, punctual, friendly, and willing to help staff to the best of their ability. Computer skills preferred. Must be able to sit/stand for long periods. Call Kristen Mills, 610-419-9356 x4503, kristen.mills@feedthechildren.org.

INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LV (ITNLehighValley), Bethlehem – Volunteer drivers needed to transport seniors age 60 and older and visually impaired adults in the Lehigh Valley. Rides to medical appointments make up 91% of our rides. 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.

KIRKLAND VILLAGE, Bethlehem is looking for volunteers willing to help our residents with grocery shopping on Tuesdays, 2-3:30pm and/or Thursdays 2-3:30pm. Volunteers would help load/unload the bus of groceries and help some by taking their groceries to their apartment doors. An interview and orientation are required. Call Connie Cain, 610-691-4515, ccain@psl.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville offers many exciting volunteer opportunities throughout our season for ages 14 and up! Join us at our Volunteer Fair on Saturday, March 7 from 4-6:30pm. Call Timmi Fiske, 610-799-4171, tfiske@lvzoo.org.

PROJECT BLUEPRINT – the Volunteer Center is seeking racial ethnic volunteers for its diversity volunteer leadership program that develops and trains volunteers to serve on boards and committees of local non-profit agencies.   Six sessions scheduled for Tuesdays 5:30-8:30pm from April 14 through May 12^th and June 2.  Application deadline is April 1^st.  Applications and information available on our website www.volunteerlv.org.

SAUCON VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER, Hellertown needs volunteers for the Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, June 8 from 8am until 3pm. Knowledge of golf would be helpful, but is not required. Volunteers would sit at holes designated for prizes. Call Erin Siegfried, 610-838-0722, erin@svcommctr.org.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS, Bethlehem is looking for a volunteer with marketing or graphic design experience to help design occasional flyers and brochures. Design experience does not need to be extensive, but needs to have very good written communication and be able to work as part of a team. Call Dana Lindsey, 267-221-7740, bso.dana@gmail.com.

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.