VCLV LogoTHIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

ALLENTOWN RESCUE MISSION, Allentown needs volunteers (18+ years) for a “Thanks for Giving Food & Supply Drive.”  Adopt a location, drive a Rothrock van, sort incoming donations and organize the pantry at the Mission.  Dates are from 4-7pm Friday 11/18, 10am-3pm Saturday 11/19, or stay as late as needed.  Driver training at Mission 2pm Friday, 11/18 and 8am Saturday 11/19 (breakfast served). Sign up online at http://signup.com/go/JPRApD or call Deirdre Federico 610-740-5500 x22.

HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS needs volunteers to donate shoeboxes filled with age appropriate items for Lehigh Valley’s less fortunate children.  This a great project for large or small groups, clubs, classes, families, and individuals coordinated by the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley.  To participate, go to www.volunteerlv.org and fill out a Holiday Hope Chest Donation Registration form.   Filled shoeboxes may be dropped off at 2121 City Line Road, Bethlehem from 10-6pm Tues.11/29, Wed. 11/30, Thurs., 12/1; or Fri. 12/2 from 10am-3pm ONLY.

LEHIGH VALLEY SCORE, LCCC, Schnecksville is seeking experienced business people to provide free business counseling and advice in all areas of business management (i.e. business plans, managing cash flow, marketing, etc. ).  Volunteer as a face-to-face counselor, do workshops, on-line counselor, or for administration functions.  Training provided.  Call Tracy Damiani, 610-266-3000, tracy.damiani@scorevolunteer.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville needs volunteers to play character roles for their upcoming Winter Lights Spectacular from 5:30-10pm every Wednesday through Sunday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Christmas Eve from November 11th to January 1st.  Help is also needed at snack stands, parking, fire pit attendants and more!  Every time you volunteer, you get a free general admission ticket to use or give to family/friends.  Call Pete Fox, 610-799-4171 x248, pfox@lvzoo.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, Allentown is looking for volunteers (18+ years) to distribute meals to homebound individuals as a substitute volunteer.  No need to commit to a regular schedule.  Teams of 2 deliver on 33 routes throughout Lehigh County.  Drive a route or ride along as a visitor.  Bring a friend and form a team or let us provide a partner for you.   Delivery times are between 11am and 1pm Monday through Friday.  Next training scheduled for 10:30am Wednesday 11/16, or 1:30pm Tuesday 11/22.  Call Dawn Stillwagen, 610-398-2563, dstillwagen@mealsonwheelslc.org.

PHOEBE NURSING HOME, Allentown needs up to 15 volunteers from 1:30-4pm on Thanksgiving Day 11/24 to help run a Thanksgiving Bingo.  Help to make this day extra special for our residents.  Call by Friday, 11/18 to volunteer.  Call Donna Henry, 610-794-5362, dhenry@phoebe.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.

AMERICA ON WHEELS, Allentown is seeking friendly volunteers to help at the Admissions Desk/Museum Store.  Cash register training is available.  Shift times are usually 10am-1pm or 1-4pm.  Feel free to pick one day per week or one day per month.  Call Liz Hahn, 610-432-4200 x10, fund_development@americaonwheels.org.

CAMELOT FOR CHILDREN, INC., Allentown needs volunteers to help wrap gifts at gift wrap booths at the Lehigh Valley Mall or at Sands Outlets in Bethlehem from 12/2 through 12/24.  Make this a fun event with your family, friends, and co-works by spreading Holiday Cheer while you wrap presents to raise funds to keep the Magic going at Camelot.  Sign up for the shift you want at http://www.camelotforchildren.org/.

FRIENDS OF JOHNSTON, INC., Bethlehem needs volunteers for a Phone-a-thon Fundraiser for the farm and veterans programs.  Dinner is included.  Grant writers are also needed, and they will teach grant writing.  Volunteers are needed for kitchen and serving help and with kids’ projects at Breakfast with Santa and Elf Workshop – Family Community Building (event fundraiser) on Fri. 12/ 2 and Sat. 12/3.  Call Victoria Bastidas, 484-241-6117, victoriabastidas01@gmail.com.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LV RESTORE, Whitehall – If you enjoy yard sales or antiquing, come volunteer at the ReStore’s Housewares Department.  New volunteers shadow a current volunteer on their first day.  Shifts are available 10am-4pm Wednesday-Saturday.  Volunteers will be accepting usable donations, sorting, cleaning, pricing, and displaying of these items.  Long pants and closed toe shoes must be worn while volunteering.  Call Camille Urbano, 610-776-7737 x318, Camille@habitatlv.org.

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES needs volunteers for its Annual Turkey Trot 5kRun, a competitive and fun walk, on Sat., Nov. 26.  Volunteers are needed Fri., Nov. 25 and Sat., Nov. 26 to help with registration, be a race marshal, hand out pre-race refreshments, t-shirt handout, and many more tasks.  Call Tavia Minnich, 610-882-0450 x20, Tminnich@historicbethlehem.org.

THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield has on on-going need for volunteers to feed and water their ranch animals.  Environmental clean-up and ground maintenance volunteers are also needed year round.  Call Kathryn Grass, 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.

THE SANCTUARY AT HAAFSVILLE, Breinigsville is rapidly growing in the number of dogs and cats saved and needs volunteers to support this expansion.  All kinds of volunteers and volunteer leaders are needed including:  Foster homes, event planning, community event coverage, fundraising, treasurer/bookkeeper, grounds maintenance, and animal care including walking, socializing, and grooming.  Email Donna Dougherty at ddougherty@thesanctuarypa.org.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE, Bethlehem needs volunteers at their 9th Annual Christmas Party at Broughal Middle School on Fri. 12/16 for set-up, and Saturday, 12/17 for party help.  Tasks include registering families at the door, checking families in at an activity, and assisting with food line, gifts, etc.  Email Dr. Enid Jackson, Bethlehemwomenofexcellence@gmail.com.

TABOR SERVICES, INC., Bethlehem & Allentown needs volunteers to become mentors.  Take advantage of the holiday season and spread your cheer to a local child.  There are so many things to do like apple picking, corn mazes, and light shows!  In just two hours a week, you can show a child what a joy the community can be during the holidays.  Call Kea at 610-739-0524, Nykea.Alvarez-Macey@tabor.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.

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.