THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY, Bethlehem – Boutique at the Rink is right around the corner. This well attended annual event raises funds by selling new and gently used clothing, household goods, antiques, collectibles, vintage clothes, accessories, toys, and much more. To learn more about available volunteer opportunities, attend a volunteer meeting on Wednesday, April 6 at 2:30-3:30pm or 6:30-7:30 pm. Cal Deb Post, 610-861-7555 x39, dpost@cancersupportglv.org.

EASTON AREA COMMUNITY CENTER is the after school home for almost 100 youth, ages 5-14, Monday through Friday. Volunteers (14+ years) are needed to assist staff with a variety of youth activities, homework help, arts and crafts, mentoring, recreational/gym time, gardening, serve snacks and dinner, and assist with Summer Day Camp. Adult volunteers (18+ years) must have current PA Child Abuse History Clearance and Criminal Background Check. Call Brooke Mitman, 610-253-7242, bmitmaneacc@ptd.net.

INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LEHIGH VALLEY (ITNLehighValley), Bethlehem needs volunteer drivers to transport seniors (60 years and older) and visually impaired adults in the Lehigh Valley. Drive when and where you want. No minimum time requirement. Need a vehicle and a clean driving record. Training provided. Call Karen Schiavone, 610-419-1645, Karen.schiavone@itnlehighvalley.org.

LEHIGH COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS, Allentown needs Golf Coaches and volunteers for 8 week golf practice program beginning last Saturday in March. Coach should be able to attend a one day training and Penn State Event. Last year’s program was held at Allentown Municipal Golf Course.   Call Harry Schwartz, 814-574-4924, lehighcountyso@hotmail.com.

PROJECT BLUEPRINT – The Volunteer Center is seeking ethnic diverse volunteers for its volunteer leadership program that develops and trains leaders to serve on boards and committees of local non-profit agencies. Six sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays 5:30-8:30pm from April 13^th through May 12^th. Application deadline is April 1^st. Applications and information available on our website www.volunteerlv.org.

LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK, ALLENTOWN & WEST END MEDICAL CENTER needs greeters for both locations. Greet patients and visitors and provide a welcoming environment for everyone entering the building. Guide people to their destination and help answer questions. Call Kate Fantasia, 610-628-8495, kate.fantasia@sluhn.org.

THIRD STREET ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN, Easton is looking for a volunteer classroom assistant (18+years) for their Learning Center. Volunteers will help with art projects, walks, classroom activities, free play time, etc. Hours can vary from 6am till 6pm Monday through Friday. All volunteers must obtain a clear PA Criminal Background Check, a current physical, and TB test. Call Alisa Baratta, 610-258-6271, abaratta@thirdstreetalliance.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.