THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, Bethlehem is looking for male volunteer callers to make Santa Calls on Dec. 1, 2, 3, and 4 from 6-8pm each night. Get in the holiday spirit in our holiday decorated office while we serve cookies and hot chocolate, and provide Santa hats and jingle bells. Try to come a bit early for instructions. Deadline for volunteer inquiry is Nov. 17. Call Catharine Lee, 610-921-2329 x3017, Catharine.lee@cancer.org.

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS LEHIGH VALLEY, Allentown is seeking volunteers (age 18+) to mentor a Little Brother orLittle Sister at two schools in Allentown. Roosevelt Elementary needs Big Brothers/Sisters in a lunch program during 11am-1pm. Jefferson Elementary needs mentors for a breakfast program every Wednesday from 8-8:45am.   Volunteers spend time together doing what they enjoy: playing games, reading, painting/drawing, chatting, etc. For more info and requirements, call Maria, 610-391-1827, mocasio@bbbslv.org.

CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY, Bethlehem is looking for volunteers (age 17+) to help paint the interior of our new location in Allentown. Make it fun! Bring a group of friends or your family. Join us on December 1-5 and December 8-12 from 9am-9pm. No training needed. Call Deb Post, 610-861-7555 x39, Dpost@cancersupportglv.org.

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Allentown seeks individuals, groups, organizations to organize collections of items needed by our children. Items needed include notebooks, binders, calculators, folders, backpacks, hygiene products, winter wear (warm jackets, scarves, gloves, hats), and sneakers. Call Catherine Makoski, 484-834-8830, makoskic@cislv.org.

FORKS YMCA EDUCATION CENTER, Easton is looking for individuals, families, groups, or organizations to sponsor drives for the following:  Christmas gifts for children – drop off Dec. 15-19 (7:3-0am-6:30pm). Call Brenda Pickard, 610-250-7193, brendapickard@greatervalleyymca.org.

GIRLS ON THE RUN OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown needs Running Buddies (age 18+) to run alongside our Fall program participants in their 5K celebration event. Running Buddies help their girl get through the run and have lots of fun! Registration is $15. Date of event is Saturday, December 13^th from 8am-to 10:30am (approximately). Call Liz Fones, 610-682-1446, fonese@diakon.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville has several volunteer opportunities available with their first annual Winter Light Spectacular on Wednesdays through Saturdays from now through January 10. Create memories and have fun! Special activities are scheduled for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Volunteers will receive a free one day Winter Light Spectacular ticket for each time of volunteering. For more info, call Alan Raisman, 610-799-4171 x224, araisman@lvzoo.org.

PHOEBE HOME NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, Allentown has volunteer opportunities available for families, youths 13-17 years old, adults, groups, and organizations on Christmas Day.  Spend Christmas Day visiting one-to-one with residents and engage in a variety of activities on Christmas Day from 1:30-4pm. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

AMERICA ON WHEELS, Allentown needs volunteers to be Gift Shop/Admission Assistants (handling register required) on Saturdays 10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm and Sundays noon-4pm. Assist customers with merchandise and take admissions. Training provided. Call Liz Hahn, 610-432-4200 x10, fund_development@americaonwheels.org.

CAMELOT FOR CHILDREN, INC., Bethlehem asks you to help wrap things up at Outlets at the Sands on the weekends in December and the weekdays leading up to Christmas. Shifts are about 4 hours. Many dates and shifts available. Invite your family, friends, etc. to make this a fun time while you wrap presents to raise funds to keep the Magic going here at Camelot. Call Kristen Bond, 610-791-5683, kristenb@camelotforchildren.org.

FAMILY CONNECTION OF EASTON is looking for volunteers to assist with a “Cookie with Santa” night at Paxinosa Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5:30-8:30pm. Volunteers are also needed to sponsor drives for toys, drives for non-perishable food items to be used in our Backpack Pals program in the Easton Area School District, and to adopt-a-family. Call Carolyn Serva, 610-250-2551 x24075, servac@eastonsd.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 2, 3, & 4 or 10am-3pm ONLY on Friday, 12/5.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville needs people willing to coordinate drives for gift items of $20 or less for the families we serve. A list of the children’s gift ideas can be found on our website www.miracleleaguelv.org under the Upcoming Events section. Call Kyle O’Neill, 610-769-2096, kyle@miracleleaguelv.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown is in need of an organist for Saturday Mass at 4pm and/or Sunday Mass at 10am. If you love to play the organ, call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALLENTOWN has volunteer opportunities for individuals, organizations, or groups to sponsor collections of new board games for children/families. Games may be dropped off by Dec. 3. Also needed are new cooking supplies for cooking classes (baking sheets, cupcake tins, bake ware pans, measuring cups, mixing bowls, measuring spoons, cooking utensils, and pot holders). Call Cheryl Laub, 610-432-9944, bgcalaub@aol.com.

CEDARBROOK NURSING HOMES, Fountain Hill & Allentown needs volunteers (age 16+) NOW for transporting our residents to and from in-house programs and appointments. Hours are varied and so are the days Monday through Friday any hours you can give between 8am and 4pm. Being a transporter is a very important job at Cedarbrook. Training given during orientation. To set up an appointment, call Kerry Magliane 610-336-5684, kerrymagliane@lehighcounty.org.

HISPANIC CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem is looking for volunteers to organize collections of turkeys for families in need over the holidays. Turkeys may be dropped off at 520 East 4^th St., Bethlehem Monday thru Friday 9am-9pm throughout the holiday season. Call Lorna Velazquez, 610-868-7800 x221, lvelazquez@hclv.org.

HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS, a project coordinated by the Volunteer Center, needs volunteers to donate shoeboxes filled with age appropriate items for Lehigh Valley’s less fortunate children. About 400 boxes are still needed to meet the children’s needs of our participating non-profit agencies. To donate, visit our website 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 2, 3, & 4 or 10am-3pm ONLY on Friday, 12/5.

ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK, Allentown & Bethlehem is looking for people interested in making an impact and helping brighten the day of our patients, staff, and visitors! Make a difference by volunteering in our Allentown Campus Gift Shop and the Information Desk or at the Bethlehem Campus at the Information Desk, OR Waiting Rooms, Volunteer Escort Service or as a Patient Advocate! Call 484-256-4600 or visit www.slhn.org/volunteerNOW to learn more!

SPECIAL OLYMPICS, Bethlehem is in need of a Swim Coach (age 13+) that is familiar with American Sign Language. We have several athletes that communicate through sign language. This volunteer must be able to swim well and know sign language. Practices are held on Tuesdays in the evening. Call Dana Lindsey, 610-264-3616, volunteers@bethlehemsopa.org.

THE SALVATION ARMY LEHIGH VALLEY needs volunteers and groups to stand at kettles throughout Lehigh Valley (ABE and PenArgyl) during 11/18-12/24, excluding Sundays. Volunteers are also needed in our food pantry to sort and make food baskets, and sponsor collections on non-perishable food donations before 12/19. Allentown-610-432-0129-Omar.Ronon@use.salvationarmy.org, Bethlehem-610-867-4681-Fran.Rader@use.salvationarmy.org, Easton-610-258-9531-Dabiel.Valdes@use.salvationarmy.org, PenArgyl-610-863-6677-Mary.Francis@use.salvationarmy.org.

VALLEY YOUTH HOUSE, ALLENTOWN is in need of volunteers/groups to donate items to fulfill a youth’s Wish List for the holidays. All gifts need to be wrapped with the youth’s name and number securely attached and dropped off by Dec. 1-12 anytime between 9am-3pm. Call Mary Link, 610-820-0166, mlink@valleyyouthhouse.org.

CENTER FOR CAREER PATHWAYS & ADULT LITERACY@LCCC, Allentown needs volunteer tutors for GED and ESL programs at the LCCC Allentown Donley Center Campus. Days and times are flexible, but a minimum 3 hour a week commitment is needed. Orientation/training scheduled for Wed. Dec. 10 at 1pm and Thurs. Dec. 11 at 6pm. For more info, email volunteertutor@lccc.edu.

HORIZON HOUSE is looking for individuals, groups, and organizations to sponsor collections of items for men and women for the holidays. For more info call: Robbins Bower Site, Allentown-610-791-7878-Amy.Rudisill@hhinc.org; Shore 1, Allentown-610-433-1862-Tracey.Rockovitz@hhinc.org; or Trestle House Site, Whitehall-610-264-5045-Tracey.Rockovitz@hhinc.org

LEHIGH COUNTY HUMAN SOCIETY, Allentown needs individuals, groups, or organizations to sponsor collections of food and supplies for dogs and cats. Visit website for a list: www.thelehighcountyhumansociety.org/Donations.html. Call 610-797-1205, lchsemail@gmail.com.

LEHIGH VALLEY FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES, Bethlehem needs volunteers to help with the Christmas City Classis 5-Miler and Candy Cane 5K on Sat., Dec. 13 beginning at 9:00am. Tasks include giving out supplies to runners and helping at the finish line. Race starts and ends at the YMCA Bethlehem, 430 E. Broad St. Respond by Dec. 9. Call Rick Weaver, 610-787-0717, rw262@yahoo.com.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville is looking for volunteers for Gift Wrap Booth at Barnes & Noble in the Lehigh Valley Mall. Several shifts are available from Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. Use this link to sign up: www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f44a5a72eabfc1-barnes. Contact Kyle O’Neill, 610-769-2096, volunteers@bethlehemsopa.org.

PHOEBE RICHLAND HEALTH CARE CENTER, Richlandtown is looking for volunteers to coordinate collections for Christmas gifts for residents: bite size candies, sweatshirts: zipper or pullover, small stuffed animals, sun catchers, warm shawls, music CD’s, large print word find books, etc. For more details, call Suzanne Sabo, 267-371-4506, ssabo@phoebe.org.

VICTORY HOUSE OF THE LEHIGH VALEY, Bethlehem is in need of volunteers to coordinate collections of large and x-large long johns for the homeless men in our shelter. With the colder weather, these items are desperately needed. Call Jim Hogg, 610-691-3373 x14, jhogg@victoryhouselv.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.