THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

ALLENTOWN RESCUE MISSION, Allentown will hold its Annual “Thanks for Giving” food drive to stock the mission’s pantry. We are looking for volunteer groups of 8-10 fun people to request donations from patrons at area food stores. All necessary materials and shirts for all volunteers will be provided. Volunteer groups chose a date of either Nov. 20 from 4-7pm or Nov. 21 from 10am-3pm and location; then experience a wonderful service opportunity. Call Deirdre Federico, 610-740-5500 x22, dfederico@armpa.org.

CENTER FOR VISION LOSS, Allentown is looking for volunteers to be “Annie’s Angels” to do home visits, read mail, and provide companionship. We also need Volunteer Drivers to drive customers to doctor appointments, shopping, or center activities. Hours are flexible and are determined by need. Training is provided. Call Rita Lang, 610-433-6018, rita.lang@centerforvisionloss.org.

EASTERN PA DOWN SYNDROME CENTER, Trexlertown is holding its 16^th Annual Lehigh Valley Buddy Walk at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Volunteers (age 13+) are needed to assist with set-up, registration, kid’s activities, and clean-up. Shifts are 4 hours between 10am-7pm, Sat., Sept. 26. Sign up online at www.lehighvalleybudywalk.org or call 610-402-0184.

LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK MARATHON FOR VIA needs volunteers (12+ years) for race day on Sun. Sept. 13 between 6am-1:30pm. Shift times vary depending on location. Volunteers are needed to be course marshals, staff water stations, or distribute food to the runners at the finish line for this marathon that takes place through the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton.   Call Karen DeLuca, 484-239-4030, volunteers@vianet.org.

NORTHEAST MINISTRY, Bethlehem has several volunteer opportunities: Pick up food donations from local businesses and deliver them to our food bank. Food assistants to stock shelves, bag food items, move products between storage and distribution rooms, etc. Delivery assistants to help unload delivery trucks, open boxes, and breakdown boxes, etc. Call Paula Johnson, 610-691-3355, johnsonp@northeastministry.com.

ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL, Bethlehem – Join a team of St. Luke’s volunteers who help many departments and patients with various tasks and are very busy!   Volunteer Escorts help discharge patients, run errands, deliver items like pumps, supplies, flower arrangements, mail, etc. Patient Advocates spend time socializing with patients and supporting staff. Make a difference by signing up www.slhn.org/volunteerNOW or call 484-526-4600.

THE COCO FOUNDATION, Bethlehem needs volunteers on Sat., Sept. 19 for its Annual Tee Time for Coco Golf Tournament at Willow Brook Golf Course, Catasauqua. Help with set-up and clean-up (multiple jobs), registration, food/beverage carts, and raffle/prize table. Volunteers are needed throughout the day to work flexible shifts between 8am-8pm. Sign up for specific time at www.thecocofoundation.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield is hosting an Open Gate Farm Tour on Sun., Oct. 18 from 1-5pm. Volunteers are needed to help with set up/take down, do parking, run bake sale and raffle, and handle the animals. Horse volunteers must be experienced. Live music, educational talks, Petting Zoo, and horse/pony/donkey cart rides will provide entertainment for all. Call Kathryn Gress, 610-398-2122, gressranch@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.