THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, Greater Lehigh Valley needs volunteers (age 21+) to step up to the “wheel” and drive cancer patients to scheduled treatments. “Road to Recovery” drivers must have a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, a reliable vehicle and proof of insurance, complete a background check and driver check, and attend a brief orientation.  Call Jennifer Washney,  570-562-9749 x320, Jennifer.washney@cancer.org.

FAMILIES FIRST, Pen Argyl needs Facilitators for high school students 9^th through 12^th grades. Facilitators meet with a group of students once a month (7:40am-9:20am at Pen Argyl High School) to encourage higher education or vocational careers by selecting guest speakers and/or sharing their own experiences. Limited training sessions provided. Call Frank Jones, 610-863-3688, jones.frank@penargylsd.org

KIRKLAND VILLAGE, Bethlehem is recruiting adult volunteers to assist in our Gift Shop. Shifts are 10a.m.-12 noon and 12 noon-2p.m. Monday thru Friday. Training will be provided. Contact Nicole Verret,  610-691-4543, nverret@psl.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY SCORE, LCCC-Schnecksville seeks experienced business professionals to offer in-person and online counseling and advice to start ups and owners of small businesses and non-profit organizations. Orientation and training provided. Call Tracy Damiani, 610-266-3000, tracy.damiani@scorevolunteer.org.

SACRED HEART HOME CARE & HOSPICE, Allentown needs volunteers (14+ years) to help answer the phones at their office at 402 W. Chew St., Allentown. Their receptionist will train volunteers on the procedure and be available for support. Office hours are 8am-4pm. A friendly personality is needed. Volunteers will learn about hospice to better understand the services provided. Call Cathy Sweeney, 484-664-2704, csweeney@spiritrustlutheranhomecare.org.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown is seeking volunteers for their busy volunteer department. Tasks include delivering flowers and mail to patients and assisting patients and staff. This is a great way to contribute while making new friends. Training is provided; all shifts available. Call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

THE SALVATION ARMY FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION SERVICES, Allentown will be opening The Comfort Cottage in mid-January and needs volunteers on Tuesday, Dec. 29 between 2pm-7pm to help move and assemble furniture, clean inside/outside of the cottage, and organize donations including personal care items, clothing, coats, and toys. The Comfort Cottage, a joint venture with Lehigh County, provides a more home-like setting for visits between birth parents and their children in foster care. Call Jan Musser-Geier, 610-821-7706, jan.mussergeier@use.salvationarmy.org.

UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY, Allentown is in search for a Social Media Intern or Office Volunteer (age 18+ years) to assist with their Social Media Campaigns. Should have experience using Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for business and/or non-profit marketing purposes and an interest in furthering their knowledge of marketing campaigns using social media. Approximately 5-10 hours of work is available between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Work must be done in United Way offices. Call Mary Terp, 610-807-5712, MaryT@unitedwayglv.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.