BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a widely honored day of service. Volunteerism, however, can be difficult with COVID cases surging throughout the community.
Two years into the pandemic, Karen Daly Smith, chief executive officer of the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, said nonprofit organizations have learned to offer projects that prevent the spread of the virus.
“People have gotten a little more creative, from a virtual perspective, about how people can volunteer and can support organizations,” she said. “From the perspective of donating - it can be skills, they can do something for them as well as kind of donating their time. And or donating something that these organizations need.”
The center has traditional opportunities available, though this year most are outdoors. She said there are also other ways to volunteer.
“We also have the opportunity on our (website) for things people can do on their own, we have a wish list. So, if people want to consider supporting a nonprofit with a specific need, they can certainly do that,” Daly Smith said.
Daly Smith added that the center’s youth council is also offering high school students virtual service projects that they can do from home.
“We’ve given them a list of things they can do from home that are all virtual. And we are asking them to take a picture, post it on social media, tag their friends, in support of the MLK Day of Service,” she said.
You can learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley website.
