THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

CAMELOT FOR CHILDREN, INC., Allentown needs Camp Buddy volunteers (age 13+ years) from 6/22-8/7 to be matched up with a child with a disability to help them throughout the camp day. Training date is June 9. Call Christine Cleaver, 610-791-5683, chrisc@camelotforchildren.org.

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Easton needs volunteers (age 18+ years) for a Summer Food Service Program that offers students grades K-12, who qualify, an opportunity to access a free lunch throughout the summer months. Volunteers will supervise and interact with the students as they come to Paxinosa and Cheston elementary schools to receive their lunches. Background checks/Clearances required. Call Jenifer Danese, 484-834-8830, danesej@cislv.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.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Nazareth is accepting applications for their Summer Youth Program for volunteers (age 14+ years). Junior Volunteers assist with activities, help residents to appointments, and visit with residents. Lunch is provided. Opportunities available Monday-Friday 9am-3pm. New volunteer orientation scheduled after school year ends. Call Michael Colon, 610-746-5248, mcolon@northamptoncounty.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to do grocery shopping for seniors who are homebound and adults with disabilities who can cook, but can’t get to the store themselves. Choose the area of Lehigh County that works best for you. Flexible scheduling based on client’s needs for grocery shopping (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly). Background checks at our expense. Orientations – Fri. 5/22 at 10:30am, Wed. 6/3 at 1pm, and 6/12 at 10:30am. Call Lindsay Fly, 610-841-7132, lfly@mealsonwheelslc.org.

NEW BETHANY MINISTRIES, Bethlehem seeks a volunteer to serve as receptionist to welcome visitors, clients, and residents. Duties include answering phones and transferring calls accordingly, giving information of our services, filing, helping with various projects, assisting individuals and families and treating them with dignity and respect, etc. Volunteer mornings or afternoons, Monday through Friday. Call Liliana Kelhart, 610-691-5602 x21, lkelhart@newbethanyministries.org.

PHOEBE NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER, Allentown asks youth (age 13+ years or completed 7^th grade) to lend a helping hand this summer by joining the Junior Volunteer Summer Program. Opportunities to help include activity support, crafts, exercise, outside walks, office support, games, music, reading, and companionship to seniors. Volunteer weekdays 9am-4pm, some scheduled evenings and Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-3:30pm. An orientation on Wed. 6/17 at 8:30am-3:30pm must be attended by all first timers. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

VOLUNTEER CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem is recruiting volunteers who want to serve as board or committee members for non-profit agencies in the Lehigh Valley. Join us for a Speed Networking Event on Tuesday, 6/2 at Penn State Lehigh Valley Campus, Center Valley. Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet with agencies that match their interests and who have a specific need. Registration is required. Call Karen Smith, 610-807-0336, karen@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.