THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

ALLENTOWN RESCUE MISSION, Allentown is holding its First Annual Gala “Celebrating Lives Changed” to observe the Mission’s 115 years of service on Sat, May 14 at 5:30pm at Muhlenberg College.  Volunteers (15+ years) are needed for all aspects of the event: planning and solicitation of donors;   committee persons- Silent/Live Auctions, Greeting and Registration, and Decorations; and day of event volunteers – 2pm-10pm!  Call Deirdre Federico, 610-740-5500 x22, dfrederico@armpa.org.

BETHLEHEM SPECIAL OLYMPICS is hosting an Aquatics Meet on Sat. May 14, and is in need of at least one medical person (nurse, ET, doctor, etc.) to attend the event.  The event runs from 8am-5pm.  If they get a few medical professionals, the time can be split.  Call Dana Lindsey, 267-221-7740, volunteers@bethlehemsopa.org.

CEDARBROOK NURSING HOME, Allentown is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to escort/push residents in wheelchairs from inside nursing home to outside around their parking lot to see a car show.  Training will be given at the event to be held Tues. June 21^st from 5-8:15pm.  With your help, their residents can enjoy the show and a stroll outside.  Call Kerry Magliane, 610-336-5684, kerrymagliane@lehighcounty.org.

CENTER FOR CAREER PATHWAYS AND LITRACY, LCCC Schnecksville, needs tutors for the adult education literacy program.  Tutors are needed for Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and English as a Second Language. Tutoring is 3 hours per week.  Days and times are flexible based on volunteer’s schedule.  Orientation scheduled for Wednesday, 5/11 at 1pm and Thursday, 5/12 at 6pm.  Call Allison Ludlow, 610-799-1216, volunteertutor@lccc.edu.

FOUNTAIN HILL CEMETERY needs volunteers for weeding, trimming of shrubs and weed-whacking in the Green Meadow Natural Burial Ground. Other outdoor projects available include marking of graves and other small projects. Get healthy exercise! Join us whenever you are available. Minimum age 16.  Contact Ed Vogrins, 610-868-4840, info@greenmeadowpa.org.

MAYFAIR, INC, Allentown –  Many volunteer positions available to ensure the success of the 2016 Mayfair Festival in the Events Center at The Allentown Fairgrounds, Friday, May 27 to Monday, May 30.  Work 2 shifts and receive a commemorative pin, a t-shirt, $5 Festival Food Tickets per shift, and a ticket for free entry so you can come back and enjoy the rest of the Festival.  Help to set up is needed 5/24, 5/25, and 5/26 and tear down 5/31, and 6/1.  Sign up at www.mayfairfestival.org or volunteers@mayfairfestival.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to do grocery shopping for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities.  Choose the area of Lehigh County that works best for you.  Flexible scheduling based on client’s needs (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).  40 minute orientation required; choose from upcoming dates – Mon. 5/9 @1pm, Wed. 5/25 @6:30pm, Fri. 5/27 @10:30am, or call/email to schedule a one-on-one that fits your schedule.  Call Lindsay Fly, 610-841-7132, lfly@mealsonwheelslc.org.

THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Schnecksville – Volunteers are needed to help children with special needs play baseball.  Games last 1 hour and are scheduled for Wednesdays @6:30pm, Fridays @6:30pm,  Saturdays @11am-3pm, and Sundays @12:30-4pm.  No prior special needs experience needed.   Register at website:  www.miracleleaguelv.org or call Jerilyn Kronstadt, 610-769-2096, Jerilyn@miracleleaguelv.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.