THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

DELAWARE AND LEHIGH NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR, Easton seeks field trip docents for 4th-grade field trips focusing on 19th-century canal life in Freemansburg weekdays 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept 29 through Oct 17. Docents will be responsible for providing lessons based on the life of a locktender’s family. Students are from Bethlehem schools. Costumes provided. Training date: 7-8 pm August 27, and 6-7 pm Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24, Dress rehearsal 9-11 am Sept. 26, Call Dennis Scholl, 610-923-3548 x225, dennis@delawareandlehigh.org.

LEHIGH COUNTY CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES, Allentown is looking for volunteers to spend time with persons who are living with mental health issues and assist LCCC staff teach them skills for living independently. Volunteer shifts are flexible and last up to 2 hours. Help to facilitate groups with arts and crafts, physical fitness and job training. Call Laura Rowe, 610-433-6421, lrowe@lehighchurches.org.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville seeks people (age 13+) who want to share their love of baseball with special needs kids. Our baseball season runs from May-October with games on Wednesdays 6-8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4:30pm. Our game schedule may be found on www.miracleleaguelv.org. Contact Melissa Borland, 484-707-5746, Melissa@miracleleaguelv.org.

PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY THERAPY DOGS, INC., Wilkes-Barre 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 had basic obedience training and obey basic commands, even when excited. They should be sociable, love meeting new people, get along well will other dogs, be gentle and polite, and under owner’s control at all times. If your dog loves to give attention as much as get attention, call Helene Skopek, 570-814-6078, poycdogs@yahoo.com.

PROJECT BLUEPRINT ALUMNI REUNION, Re-Connect with fellow alumni at the reunion scheduled for October 21st, 2014 at the NEW PPL Center, Club Level from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. All past participants are encouraged to attend. Contact Sandie Kelly 610-807-0336, skelly@volunteerlv.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown is looking for friendly, dependable adult volunteers to help in their busy Gift Shop. Tasks include light upkeep and stocking, assisting customers, and ringing up sales. Hours are flexible, and training will be provided. Call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield needs animal caregivers to take care of small/large, and some exotic permanent residents – feed, water, ground maintenance of their living quarters, grooming and brushing. Our ranch needs volunteers seven days a week. Schedule a 2 hr. orientation with hands-on training. We also need for volunteers for our Ranch Camp August 4-8 to help campers (grades 3-9) enjoy a fun-filled week on a working ranch. Contact Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

TURNING POINT OF THE LV, Bethlehem is looking for a small group to do some landscaping at our building. We need shrubs trimmed and some weeding. Appropriate dress is needed. Bringing own gardening supplies would be helpful. Contact Kerry Magliane, (610) 797-0530×227, kerrym@turningpointlv.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.

EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY (ESCLV) is looking for retired and career professional management consultants to volunteer their expertise to non-profits in the Lehigh Valley. Call Bill Cosgrove, 610-504-6199, esclv@ptd.net.

INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LV (ITNLehighValley), Bethlehem needs volunteer drivers to transport seniors age 60 and older and visually impaired adults in the Lehigh Valley.  91% of our rides are to medical appointments.  You choose when, where, and how often you would like to drive.  ITNLV’s greatest need is in the Bethlehem area.  Call 610-419-1645.

KIDSPEACE, Orefield is looking for volunteers (age 13+) to help at Annual KidsPeace Soccer Invitational on Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17. Help with registration, traffic control, concession stands, field-marshaling, raffle, and awards. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt and meal vouchers. Volunteer in-service offered prior to tournament. Call Gina Stano, 610-799-8071, gina.stano@kidspeace.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LVIA), Allentown is looking for volunteers (age 13+) for the Lehigh Valley Airshow 2014 on August 23 and 24. Shifts are from 8am-1pm and/or 12:30-5pm. Volunteers are needed tor several different positions. Please visit www.lehighvalleyairshow.com for more information, as well as the volunteer application. Call Paula Bonstein, 610-231-5210, pbonstein@lnaa.com.

LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK MARATHON FOR VIA needs volunteers (12+ years) for race day on Saturday, September 6 from 6am-5pm and Sunday, September 7 from 6am-3pm, with various shifts.   Many volunteer opportunities available, e.g. cheer on runners, staff water stations, and help keep runners on course. Community groups and/or companies looking for team building opportunities are welcome! Call Karen DeLuca, 484-239-4030, volunteers@vianet.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville – Run Wild at the Zoo – an annual 10K and 5K Run, as well as a 1 Mile Family Fun Walk takes place every August. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, direct runners on the course and help distribute water after the runners cross the finish line. Run Wild 2014 will take place on Sunday, August 17. Call Alan Raisman, 610-799-4171×224, araisman@lvzoo.org .

PHOEBE MINISTRIES, Allentown needs volunteers (age 13+) for annual Peach Festival, August 13 from 4:00-8:30pm. Help residents to the event so they can enjoy peach tea, peach ice cream, peach shortcake, BBQ, and the Allentown Band.  Fun activities/moon bounce, games and prizes. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

PROJECT BLUEPRINT ALUMNI REUNION, Re-Connect with fellow alumni at the reunion scheduled for October 21st, 2014 at the NEW PPL Center, Club Level from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. All past participants are encouraged to attend. 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.