THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

DIAKON ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE, Allentown needs volunteers to coordinate collections of items for their children for the holidays. Needed are gift cards (McDonalds, Burger King, Chick Fil A, Panera, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Chipotle). They can also use gift cards for WalMart, Target, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels, so they can purchase items for Lifebooks (a gift an adopted child receives when they enter a permanent home). Markers and crayons can be used for this, as well. Call Liz Fones, 610-682-1356, fonese@diakon.org.

FORKS YMCA EDUCATION CENTER, Easton needs individuals, organizations, and groups to coordinate drives for holiday gifts (NEW) for families in need. Suggestions include toys, clothing, and games. Call Brenda Pickard, 610-250-7193, brendapickard@greatervalleyymca.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville has several volunteer opportunities available with their Annual Winter Light Spectacular on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11/14-1/3.   Special activities scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Volunteers receive a free Winter Light Spectacular ticket for each time of volunteering. Call Timmi Fiske, 610-799-4171 x248, tfiske@lvzoo.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound clients by either driving a route or taking meals in to the clients. Volunteers for the Slatington route are needed one Friday a month. Help on a weekly, monthly, or substitute basis Monday through Friday 11am to approx. 12:30/1pm. Training provided Tues. 12/8 at 10:30am and Tues. 12/22 at 10:30am. Call Dawn Stillwagen, 610-398-2563, dstillwagen@mealsonwheelslc.org.

MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Nazareth is looking for a volunteer to travel to outreach events and provide guests with information about the Moravian Historical Society. Training will be provided. Call Megan vanRavenswaay, 610-759-5070, director@moravianhistoricalsociety.org.

NORWESCAP, Phillipsburg, NJ needs volunteers to sort donations and assist with operations in their thrift store. Volunteers will be trained and assisted by staff. Call Helene Meissner, 908-454-4322, Meissnerh@norwescap.org.

PHOEBE HOME NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, Allentown – Every Christmas Season the staff, families, and volunteers host Christmas parties for their 450 residents. Many opportunities are available to assist with set up for parties, clean up, one-to-one with residents, hand out Christmas gifts, and assist with residents. Available dates and times are Mon. 12/21- 11am-2pm, Tues. 12/22 -10:30am-4pm, and Wed. 12/23 – 9am-4pm. Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.org.

SALVATION ARMY, Allentown needs volunteers to help with Toys for Tots program. Help unload truckloads 12/8 from 9am-4pm. Sort toys 12/9, 12/10, and 12/11 from 9am-4pm. Pack toys on Dec. 14-18 from 9am-4pm.   Half day shifts are available. Call Eloitza King, 610-432-0129, Eloitza.King@USE.SalvationArmy.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.