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Monthly Newsletter

June 2022 | Volume 5

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13th Annual

Volunteer Challenge

Wow! Talk about impact. Our 13th annual Volunteer Challenge was a tremendous success in so many ways. Congratulations to the 30 nonprofit organizations who were the recipients of sustainable project completed by 30 business teams. 

Congratulations to our top 3 winners and their nonprofit partners for the

2022 Volunteer Challenge:


First Commonwealth & the Literacy Center

Crayola & Cheston Elementary

Air Products & Habitat for Humanity

A big shoutout to our Challenge Committee, led by Kristine Ortiz of KLO Events, our Honorary Chair, Jane George from PPL, and our emcee, Kelly Chando from St. Luke's University Health Network.


A special thanks to the Volunteer Center staff and our Board of Directors.


Thank you to all who supported our work!

Newsletter Highlights

Spotlight

For Businesses

For Nonprofits

For Volunteers

For Youth

Upcoming Events

A Message from our CEO

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Here are just a few comments from our team and nonprofit recipients...


"It is always inspiring to see so many companies and non-profits working together, and the projects were amazing. We, as an organization and those who volunteered, felt a fulfilling sense of giving back to the community, and the support we received was wonderful."


"The challenge project could not have come at a better time. We are preparing to focus on healthy eating, so restoring our garden was a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. The garden will serve students, families, and community members. Thank you, Volunteer Center!"

See Challenge Recap

FOR BUSINESSES


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The single largest one-day mobilization of volunteers in our community. You want to be part of this!


June 23, 2022

Team building and supporting our nonprofit community is what the United Way Day of Caring is all about. The Volunteer Center is pleased to again be coordinating Day of Caring on June 23, 2022. Day of Caring is the kickoff for the United Way Campaign, and this year’s Campaign Chairs are Vince Sorgi, PPL and Ashley Russo, ASR Media Productions.

Nonprofits have posted their projects on our website, and you can access the projects here. If you need assistance, please contact our office at 610-807-0336 or email vc@volunteerlv.org

Thank you to the 2022 Presenting Sponsor

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Thank you to the Pearl Sponsor, AAA East Central.

And Bronze Sponsors Amazon Fulfillment, Capital Blue, and Just Born Quality Confections.

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Thank you to Wegmans the lunch sponsor,  ASR Media, our Media Sponsor and Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in-kind sponsor.

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FOR NONPROFITS


Seeking volunteers this summer? Engage with Youth!


Our YLEAD students are looking for places to volunteer! Our youth leadership training program is designed to educate high school students on the importance of service and community involvement. Our camp weeks run the second and fourth weeks in July, and we are looking for service projects for our supervised youth volunteers! Contact youth@volunteerlv.org to share your project needs!

United Way Day of Caring is June 23rd!


Do you have a group project that can be done on June 23rd? Do you need indoor or outdoor clean up, space refresh, painting, organizing or sorting? We are still looking for group projects (half day or full day)! To submit your project, please click here.

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FOR VOLUNTEERS


Looking for Ways to Support the Nonprofit Community?

Here's How!


Free time on your hands this summer? Consider volunteering individually, as a family or with your co-workers! Check out our Volunteers Needed Column.

You can also sign up to get updated volunteer needs weekly. 

Join Our Mailing List

Another great way to support nonprofits and make an impact is to host a supply drive for a local nonprofit and donate tangible items! Check out the current nonprofit supply needs on the Volunteer Center's Wish Lists page here.

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FOR YOUTH



Youth Council at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital


The Volunteer Center's Youth Council had their end of the year graduation ceremony at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital to commemorate their dedication to volunteering for the 2021-2022 school year, and to also celebrate the Children's Hospital's 10th Anniversary. After the ceremony, the Youth Council took the time to make the sidewalks of the hospital a little bit brighter, so that when the children look out their windows, they can see a little more happiness. 


Congratulations to the Youth Council for a great year of service and for becoming real leaders in the Lehigh Valley community!

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Summer Programming for Youth


YLEAD is a summer leadership program that brings in high school students from across the Lehigh Valley and provides them with the resources and skills needed to become empowering leaders in the community. The program involves teambuilding and leadership activities, developmental trainings, opportunities to hear from prominent community members, as well as opportunities to get involved in the community and complete up to 10 hours of service.

The feedback from 2021 led to the decision of offering an additional week, and this year, it will be held at the Volunteer Center offices in the Banana Factory in Bethlehem during the weeks of July 11th-15th, and July 25th-29th.

To Apply, Click Here

Looking for a Summer Internship?


Each summer, we hire two interns to develop and run our YLEAD program. It's a great opportunity to learn and grow as a leader, while simultaneously making an impact on youth. Interested college students can view the job description here.


Reach out to julie@volunteerlv.org or sierra@volunteerlv.org to apply!

UPCOMING EVENTS



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June 23, 2022

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June 24, 2022

A message from our CEO, Karen Smith


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"Being an active part of connecting people, needs and resources every day is very satisfying and at the same time, very humbling to work in a community like the Lehigh Valley."

Our work is continuous and sometimes we go from program to program without catching our breath or pausing to reflect on the "what" we are doing. In May, we paused while we celebrated our most successful Volunteer Challenge. Seeing the culmination of our work, in person, provided the inspiration and affirmations we each needed and really reminded us collectively how well we work together and the impact we have on so many.


For June, our employee spotlight is Meghan Baumer. Meghan joined our team four years ago as our project manager, and she continues to grow and take on more responsibility each year. 

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Meet Meghan Baumer...


  • The problem solver, idea follow through, team player, tech support, and so much more.
  • The one who translates ideas into realities..."Meghan, I have an idea..."
  • The one who always says, "Let me take a look and see what I can do..."
  • The one who looks at processes and takes initiative to streamline and improve them.
  • The one who takes the initiative to engage with skilled volunteers to tackle those nice to have (and never find time to get done) projects.
  • The one who follows through and keeps the team on track for all our projects


Thank you, Meghan, for all of your efforts, support and commitment to the Volunteer Center and our community!

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