THIS WEEK’S VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY

ALLENTOWN RESCUE MISSION needs large group or individual volunteers as soon as possible to help empty the pantry to get it ready for incoming food from Thanks for Giving Food Drive. Call Deirdre Federico, 610-740-5500 x22, dfederico@armpa.org.

ARTSQUEST, Bethlehem has several volunteer opportunities available with Christkindlmarkt that runs Fri. 11/20 to Sun. 12/20. Volunteers are asked to help for at least fifteen hours. New volunteers receive a Christkindlmarkt fleece; returning volunteers receive 2 entrance tickets to the festival. Training scheduled for 11/17. Call Hillary Harper, 610-332-1370, hharper@artsquest.org.

BETHLEHEM SPECIAL OLYMPICS is looking for a volunteer to serve as Recording Secretary to create and distribute meeting agendas and minutes electronically, maintain mailing lists and files, and coordinate mailings to athletes and volunteers. Also needed is a volunteer Training Coordinator to be responsible for all sports training for coaches and athletes, oversees reservation of training facilities, practice and game schedules, and ensures availability of uniforms and equipment. Call Dana Lindsey, 267-221-7740, bso.dana@gmail.com.

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS LEHIGH VALLEY, Allentown seeks volunteers to coordinate collections of supplies for students: toiletries and hygiene products, coats, gloves, hats, tissues, hand sanitizer, school items, gift cards to purchase professional clothes for interviews, first aid supplies, art supplies, and bulk boxes of granola bars and uniform items. Call Judy Belaires, 484-834-8836, belairesj@cislv.org.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Nazareth needs Christmas Carolers for their annual gift delivery with Santa Claus. Carolers join Santa and a keyboardist in going around to the different nursing units to sing for our residents while Santa places gifts around the tree. Gift delivery is scheduled from 10am-2pm with lunch provided for volunteers. Individual carolers or groups/clubs are welcome. Call Michael Colon, 610-746-5248, mcolon@northamptoncounty.org.

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES is looking for volunteers to ensure the success of their 13^th Annual Turkey Trot, a competitive and fun walk. Volunteers are needed 11/ 27 and 11/28 to help with registration, be race marshal, handle post-race refreshments, handout t-shirts, and much more. Call Melanie Depcinski, 610-882-0450 x13, mdepcinski@historicbethlehem.org.

LEHIGH COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS, Allentown has several volunteer opportunities: Competition Coordinator, Newsletter Coordinator, Training Coordinators, Volunteer Coordinator, and Artistic Gymnastic Coach. Monthly management team meeting during fall, winter, and spring must be attended. Training provided. Call Harry Schwartz, 814-574-4924, lehighcountyso@hotmail.com.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL, Allentown needs reliable, friendly volunteers for the Hospital Gift Shop. Duties include light stocking, customer assistance, and completing sales. Weekdays, evenings, and weekend shifts available. Training provided. Call Beth Fogel, 610-776-5413, bfogel@shh.org.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK, Nazareth is in need of volunteers to help sort donations so items can be distributed to those in need. Help is needed 7am-2:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 7am-12pm on Fridays. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at their first shift. Call Maria Arcelay, 484-287-4015, shfb-info@caclv.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.