Need Holiday Assistance or Want to Help Others This Holiday Season?
News Release: November 30, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
If you and your family need assistance this holiday season or if you want to make the holidays a little brighter for others but don’t know who to call, American Red Cross Valley Wide Help has the answer.
Red Cross Valley Wide Help, an information and referral service of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, has compiled a list of area agencies and organizations providing assistance to families this holiday season and those seeking donations.
For the most up-to-date information, call Red Cross Valley Wide Help at 610-865-4400.
The following organizations are requesting donations of specific items that may include time and talents during the holiday season:
AIDS Outreach needs gifts/food for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS for their “Christmas Angel” program. For information, call 610-435-8424.
Allentown Rescue Mission needs gift certificates for shelter residents -- specifically from Giant Food Stores, Redner’s Warehouse Markets and Wal-Mart. Also, donations of male personal care items. For information, call 610-740-5500.
Boys and Girls Club of Easton needs age-appropriate gifts for children ages 5-12 to be distributed at a holiday party to be held on Thursday, Dec. 23. For information, call 610-253-5846.
Casa Guadalupe Center needs turkeys and canned goods. For information, call Maria Torres at 610-435-9902.
City Limits Assembly of God needs non-perishable food items including canned goods. No glass jars. For information, call 610-776-8656.
Daybreak needs gloves, hats, scarves, and toiletries. For information, call Eleana at 610-820-5049.
Easton Area Neighborhood Center needs blankets, hats, gloves along with hams, turkeys and non-perishable food items. For information, call 610-252-7309.
Everlasting Life Ministries needs cooked turkeys (in disposable tins), baked goods, money and time to support a community holiday dinner. For information, call 610-776-4009.
Grace Community Foundation needs hams and non-perishable food items along with baby items such as diapers. For information, call Patty at 610-435-7245.
Hogar Crea needs toys and clothing for both children and women ages 20-50. Both new and used items accepted. Also, the donation of female personal care items. For information, call Lorrine Zoto at 610-866-3442.
Lehigh County Conference of Churches requests the following adult items: bar soap, blankets, combs, deodorant, female hygiene products, hand lotion, men’s socks, new or clean-used underwear, ponytail holders, razors, shampoo, shaving cream, small hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste. For children: coloring books, crayons, puzzles, etc. For babies: baby bottles, diapers, lotion. For information, call 610-433-6421.
Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services needs gift cards for teens. Suggestions: Burger King, Kmart, Lehigh Valley Mall, McDonalds, Wal-Mart and any of the local movie theaters. Also baby items such as bottles and diapers along with age-appropriate non-violent toys. For information, call Sharon Reichenbach at 610-782-3303.
New Bethany Ministries needs turkeys and food items to fill baskets to be given to families. For information, call Ellen Jacoby at 610-691-5602.
Project Hope needs toys for children (age 3 weeks to age 18) who will be attending the holiday meal being held Sunday, Dec. 19. Also, non-perishable food items for baskets along with the donation of mittens, scarves and socks. For information, call 610-258-3599.
Project of Easton is collecting gift cards in $10 increments for any local stores including food stores for their “Gift of Choice” program. For information, call Betty at 610-258-4361.
Rejoice needs toys, children’s clothing and items suitable for teens. For information, call 610-439-1990.
Sacred Heart Visiting Nurse Association needs monetary donations in order to purchase gifts for children of clients along with the donation of non-perishable food items. For information, call Joanne Marzola at 610-434-6134.
Safe Harbor: Call 610-258-5540 for a listing of needed donated items.
Sixth Street Shelter needs baby items such as diapers, food and formula along with cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and wrapping paper. For information, call 610-435-1490.
South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center needs new, donated items that will be used to stock shelves of a holiday shop where children may shop for gifts for family and friends. For information, call 610-865-2791.
Spirit of Lehigh Valley: Volunteer your time, talent or treasure to support this free dinner buffet and holiday party. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Four Points Sheraton, Airport Road, Bethlehem, or Holiday Inn Fogelsville, Routes 100 and I-78, Fogelsville. Also accepting food donations such as dinner rolls and desserts. For information, call Marci Huber at 610-231-5701.
Spring Garden Children’s Center needs books, school items, age-appropriate toys and nap blankets for children who attend the center. Also, the donation of personal care items to be given to the parents of the children. For information, call Pat Hunter at 610-252-0559.
The Caring Place Youth Development Center needs children’s coats, hats and gloves along with food and snack items. For information, call Sally Boyer at 610-433-5683.
The Salvation Army of Allentown needs turkeys and canned hams to fill holiday food baskets, and volunteers to pack the baskets. Also looking for donations of clothing and toys. For information, call 610-432-0129.
The Salvation Army of Bethlehem needs turkeys and canned hams to fill holiday food baskets, along with volunteers to pack the baskets. Also looking for clothing and toys. Donations may be dropped off 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., weekdays at 521 Pembroke Road. For information, call 610-867-4681.
The Salvation Army of Easton needs food donations. For information, call 610-252-7309.
Trinity Episcopal Church needs turkeys, stuffing mix, etc., along with turkey cookers. For information, call 610-253-0792.
Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley needs new gift items for women and children, gift certificates (especially for teens) and food baskets for Turning Point’s “non-designated gift program.” Deadline: Dec. 17. For information, call Sandy Hall-Brown at 610-797-0530.
Valley Youth House needs gifts for teens such as gift cards, gloves, hats, movie passes, sweatshirts and T-shirts. For information, call 610-691-1200.
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley needs support for “Holiday Hope Chest,” designed to make the holiday special for homeless and disadvantaged children. Shoeboxes are filled with age-appropriate stocking-stuffer-type goodies. Deadline: Dec. 1. For information, call Ross Bandics at 610-861-5349.
Youth In Action Now needs turkeys and canned hams and donations of non-perishable food items. Donations of new and used (good to excellent condition) age-appropriate toys for children, ages 3-17, along with gift cards. For information, call 610-433-8256.
To sponsor a family or individual, contact:
AIDS Outreach, for information, call 610-435-8424.
Casa Guadalupe Center, for information, call Maria Torres at 610-435-9902.
Daybreak, for information, call 610-820-5049.
Easton Area Neighborhood Center, for information, call 610-253-4253.
Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services, for information, call Sharon Reichenbach at 610-782-3303.
New Bethany Ministries, for information, call Ellen Jacoby at 610-691-5602.
Northern Lehigh Pastoral Association, for information on adopting a child up to age 17, call 610-767-3401.
Sacred Heart Visiting Nurse Association, for information, call Joanne Marzola at 610-434-6134.
Sixth Street Shelter, for information, call 610-435-1490.
South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, for information, call 610-865-2791.
Spring Garden Children’s Center/Third Street Alliance, for information, call Pat Hunter at 610-252-0559.
The Caring Place Youth Development Center needs “Christmas Angels” to sponsor inner-city children, ages 6-18; program ends Dec. 10. For information, call Sally Boyer at 610-433-5683.
The Salvation Army of Allentown, for information, call 610-432-0129.
The following agencies are offering a free holiday meal or event:
Allentown--
Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church (Everlasting Life Ministries), 224 North Sixth Street; meal at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18. For information, call 610-434-1477.
Ecumenical Soup Kitchen/Catholic Social Agency, 179 Chew Street; meal at 1:30 p.m. Christmas Day, Dec. 25. For information, call 610-435-1541.
New Generation Learning Center, 712 West Linden Street; meal at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 23. For information, call 610-434-2456.
“Spirit of the Lehigh Valley” at Four Points Sheraton, 3400 Airport Road, Allentown; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Annual free dinner buffet including entertainment and Santa. For information, call 610-231-5701.
Free bus pick-up. To reserve a seat, contact one of the following agencies:
Allentown: Allentown Rescue Mission, 610-740-5500; Boys and Girls Club of Allentown, 610-432-9323; Hispanic American Organization, 610-435-5334; Program for Women and Families, 610-433-6556; Salvation Army, 610-432-0129.
Bethlehem: Center City Ministries, 610-691-3373; Community Services For Children, 610-437-6000; New Bethany Ministries, 610-691-5602; Northampton Housing Authority, 610-759-8488; Northeast Ministries, 610-691-3355; Salvation Army, 610-867-4681; South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 610-865-2791; Turning Point, 610-797-0530; Valley Youth House, 610-820-0166.
Easton: Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 610-253-5846; Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 610-253-4253; Project of Easton, 610-258-4361; Salvation Army, 610-258-9531.
Bethlehem--
New Bethany Ministries, 333 Fourth Street; brunch at 11 a.m. Christmas Day, Dec. 25. For information, call 610-691-5602.
Trinity SK, 44 East Market Street; dinner from noon - 1 p.m., Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. For information, call 610-867-4741.
Easton--
Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 508-A Charles Street; holiday party at noon, Thursday,
Dec. 23, for children ages 5 to 12. No fee if member of club. Non-members: $5 (includes club membership). Must pre-register. For information, call 610-253-5846.
Community That Cares Clinic/Easton Area Neighborhood Center, VFW Post 1290, 516 Northampton Street; 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10; Holiday party for families with children ages 12 and under who are clients and residents of Easton’s West Ward. Fill out application/ reservation at Easton Area Neighborhood Center. For information, call 610-252-7309.
Project Hope, Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Fourth and Ferry Streets; 2 - 5 p.m., Sunday,
Dec. 19, meal including a visit from Santa with toys for the children. For information, call 610-258-3599 (after 5 p.m.).
Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden Street, meal at noon, Saturday, Dec. 18; no reservation needed. For information, call 610-253-0792.
City Limits Assembly of God will distribute Christmas trees and food baskets and additional food items Friday, Dec. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. at 302 Ridge Avenue. For information, call Rita at 610-776-8656.
Bethlehem--
Northeast Ministries serves public housing clients residing in Northeast Bethlehem and having a Livingston Street address. For information, call 610-691-3355.
South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center serves clients residing within the area of ZIP Code “18015.” For information, call 610-865-2791.
Northern Lehigh--
Northern Lehigh Pastoral Association has an “Adopt-A-Child” program for children of food bank clients up to the age of 17. Deadline: Nov. 30. For information, call 610-767-3401.
A printed list of this information is available in Spanish by calling Valley Wide Help.
American Red Cross Valley Wide Help is a free information and referral service offering direct provision of information about social and human services. Trained information specialists use a comprehensive computerized database of more than 2,000 referral sources to identify specific organizations that may be of assistance to area residents. Accessibility of information is
ensured through the availability of six dedicated telephone numbers, bilingual services to Spanish-speaking callers and a text telephone system for the hearing impaired.
Calls to Valley Wide Help are answered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, calls are answered through a voice mail system that offers a menu of referrals to address callers’ needs in an emergency situation. For non-emergencies, the voice mail system offers callers the option of leaving a message and requesting a return call.
Valley Wide Help can be directly reached at: Allentown: (610) 435-7111; Bethlehem: (610) 691-8711; Easton: (610) 252-4357; Slate Belt: (610) 588-5512; Spanish: (610) 866-1089; TTY/TTD: (610) 866-0131.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information or volunteer opportunities, visit www.redcrosslv.org.
