Volunteer opportunities
ARTSQUEST, Bethlehem, seeks volunteers for Christkindlmarkt which will be an open-air, capacity-controlled market safe for all to enjoy. You could help as a crowd counter, retail assistant, ticket scanner, visitor center entrance monitor and more. Various shifts are available 9 a.m. through 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday until Nov. 29. Volunteers must sign up at www.artsquest.org/volunteer. Contact Cory Stevens at 610-332-1370 or cstevens@artsquest.org.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LEHIGH VALLEY needs volunteers for its after school enrichment program. At this small group program, volunteers assist with homework and engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities and are asked to commit to attending two meetings per month. All program meetings will occur 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays through May 2021. Weeks off will follow national holidays. Contact Darby Keller at dkeller@bbbslv.org.
FORGOTTEN FELINES AND FIDOS, INC, Germansville. The shelter house and barn are home to about 150 felines on any given day, so the need to clean food bowls, wash linen, clean litter boxes, etc. is endless and is done daily including weekends and holidays. Some of the animals need to be socialized in a family/home setting and sometimes they simply run out of space for the animals. An interview may be all that is separating volunteers from a foster pet while the organization searches for a forever family. Contact Mary Ann Schaeffer at 610-737-6851 or fffvolunteer@verizon.net.
HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES - Help celebrate a historic holiday season Thursday through Sunday through Dec. 30. Shifts run 2-5 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the family-friendly outdoor activities to help with greeting guests, provide information and directions, store assistants, crafts and activities, gallery watcher, cottage and parking attendants. Call Keith Sten at 610-691-6055 or ksten@historicbethlehem.org.
HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS needs volunteers to donate wrapped shoe boxes filled with age appropriate items for Lehigh Valley’s children in need. Suggested gift lists are provided on the website. This program, coordinated by the Volunteer Center, is a great project for large/small groups, clubs, classes, families and individuals. To participate, go to www.volunteerlv.org/holiday-hope-chests and fill out a 2020 donor pledge form. There is an opportunity to collect and wrap empty shoe boxes as well.
MEALS ON WHEELS OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY, Northampton County needs drivers to deliver meals to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. Volunteer once a week, once a month or whenever your schedule permits; they provide step-by-step directions and delivery instructions. Current need is greatest for the Bethlehem, Slate Belt and Easton sites. Call Dawn Stillwagen at 610-841-7011 or dawns@mowglv.org.
THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, Orefield needs two volunteers per day to assist with feeding and watering the animals, and groups no bigger than five to help with grounds maintenance, composting, cleaning stalls, cutting grass and weed whacking. The minimum age to volunteer with parent/guardian supervision is 10 years old, without supervision is 14 years old. Volunteers are required to wear masks and to social distance. To arrange a day/time, call Kathryn Gress at 610-398-2122, gressranch@gmail.com.
THE WHOLE LIFE CENTER, Easton needs volunteers 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of the month for food pantry assembly and distribution. Some lifting of boxes to be weighed and separated is involved. Two strong volunteers are needed to help unload and reload trucks 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. State regulations require all volunteers to be over 18 and under 65, nor can they accept volunteers for community service hours. Call Donna Lavin at 610-746-6405 or donna@wholelifectr.org.
Contact the Volunteer Center to receive a directory of Lehigh Valley nonprofits in need of volunteers at 610-807-0336 or email vc@volunteerlv.org. Visit their website www.volunteerlv.org for a larger listing of volunteer opportunities.