Need Holiday Assistance or Want to Help Others This Holiday Season? Here's Who To Call
News Release: December 6, 2005
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.

Aids Outreach needs donations of gifts/food for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS for their "Christmas Angel" program; call 610-435-8424.

Allentown Rescue Mission needs donations of gift certificates for shelter residents specifically from Giant Food Stores, Redner's Warehouse Markets and Wal-Mart. Also, donations of male personal care items along with the donation of cleaning and paper products such as disposable cups, cutlery and plates; large trash bags; laundry detergent; paper towels; spray cleaners and toilet paper. Call Bill Dickinson 610-740-5500.

Boys and Girls Club of Easton needs donations of age-appropriate gifts for children ages 5-12 to be distributed at a holiday party; call 610-253-5846.

Casa Guadalupe Center needs donations of turkeys and canned goods and gifts for children ages 5-18. Call Cori Rolon 610-435-9902.

City Limits Assembly of God needs donations of non-perishable food items including canned goods. No glass jars. Call 610-776-8656.

Daybreak needs donations of a floor buffer, new adult socks, blankets, extra large T-shirts or sweatshirts, gloves, hats, and a VCR, along with toiletry items. Also looking for individuals and groups who would be willing to volunteer to prepare meals and/or to do scheduled craft activities with members. Call Eleana 610-820-5049.

Easton Area Neighborhood Center needs donations of blankets, hats, gloves; along with hams, turkeys and non-perishable food items. Call 610-252-7309.

El Shaddai Missionary Center needs donations of toys and food to be distributed at a holiday party Christmas day. Call Pastor Lucy Santiago 610-437-2202.

Everlasting Life Ministries needs donations of cooked turkeys (in disposable tins), baked goods, gifts for children, money and time to support a community holiday dinner. Call Reverend Gus Alkhal 610-776-4009.

Grace Community Foundation needs donations of hams and non-perishable food items along with baby items such as diapers. Call Patty 610-435-7245. Hogar Crea needs donations of 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. Call Lorrine Zoto 610-866-3442.

Home Instead Senior Care needs donations of gift items for "Be a Santa to a Senior." Together with the Lehigh Valley Mall, this program provides gifts to seniors who may be overlooked this holiday season. Referrals provided by the local county Area Agency on Aging offices. Call MaryAnn Villanti 610-770-7773.

Lehigh County Conference of Churches is requesting the following items for adults, children and babies: Adults: bar soap, blankets, combs, deodorant, female hygiene products, gloves, hand lotion, hats, men's socks, new or clean-used underwear, ponytail holders, razors, scarves, shampoo, shaving cream, small hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste. Children: coloring books, crayons, puzzles, etc. Babies: baby bottles, diapers, lotion. Note: J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16 and Hamilton streets, Allentown, is a drop-off point for the above items. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call Sonya Siegfried, general manager, J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home with any questions. 610-433-6421.

Lehigh County Conference of Churches Soup Kitchen requests donations of fresh food, large trash bags, and paper products. 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. Call Sharon Reichenbach 610-782-3303.

New Bethany Ministries needs donations of turkeys and food items to fill baskets to be given to families. Call Ellen Jacoby 610-691-5602.

Pathways needs donations of deodorant, diapers, shampoo/conditioner, soap and toothpaste for low income and homeless families. Call 610-439-8653.

Project Hope needs toys for children (age 3 weeks to age 18) who will be attending a holiday meal. Also, non-perishable food items for baskets along with the donation of mittens, scarves and socks. Call 610-258-3599.

Rejoice needs donations of toys, children's clothing and items suitable for teens. 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. Call Joanne Marzola 610-434-6134.

Safe Harbor -- Call for a listing of needed donated items. 610-258-5540.

Sixth Street Shelter needs donations of baby items such as diapers, food and formula along with cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and wrapping paper. 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. Call 610-865-2791.

Spirit of Lehigh Valley -- Volunteer your time, talent or treasure to support this event: free dinner buffet. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Four Points Sheraton, Airport Road, Bethlehem; or Holiday Inn Fogelsville, Routes 100 & I-78, Fogelsville. Also accepting food donations such as dinner rolls and desserts. Call Marci Huber 610-231-5701.

Spring Garden Children's Center needs donations of books, school items and age-appropriate toys for children who attend the center. Also, the donation of personal care items to be given to the parents of the children. Call Pat Hunter 610-252-0559.

The Caring Place Youth Development Center needs donations of children's coats, hats and gloves along with food and snack items. Call Sally Boyer 610-433-5683.

The Salvation Army of Allentown needs turkeys and canned hams to fill holiday food baskets along with volunteers to pack the baskets. Also looking for donations of clothing and toys. 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. Donations of clothing and toys. Clothing donations may be dropped off weekdays, 8 a.m.-noon. All other donations weekdays, until 4 p.m., at 521 Pembroke Road. Call 610-867-4681.

The Salvation Army of Easton needs donations of food. Call 610-258-9531.

Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley needs donations of 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. 12. Call Sandy Hall-Brown 610-797-0530.

Trinity Episcopal Church needs food donations of turkeys, stuffing mix, etc. along with turkey cookers. Call 610-253-0792.

Valley Youth House needs gifts for teens such as gift cards, gloves, hats, movie passes, sweatshirts and T-shirts. Call 610-691-1200.

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. Call 610-433-8256.

Aids Outreach -- Family sponsors needed for "Christmas Angel" program. Call 610-435-8424.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley -- Family sponsors needed. Call Lara Koberlein 610-391-1827.

Boys and Girls Club of Allentown - Family sponsors needed. Call Deb Fries 610-432-9944.

Boys and Girls Club of Easton -- Family sponsors needed. Call 610-253-5846.

Camelot for Children -- Family sponsors needed. Call Marnell Schuler 610-791-5683.

Daybreak -- Sponsor a participant in the Daybreak program. Call Debbie or Eleana 610-820-5049.

Easton Area Neighborhood Center -- Sponsor a shelter family. Call 610-253-4253.

Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services -- Family sponsors needed. Call Sharon Reichenbach 610-782-3303.

New Bethany Ministries -- Family sponsors needed. Call Ellen Jacoby 610-691-5602.

Northern Lehigh Pastoral Association -- Sponsor a child and/or senior food bank client. Call 610-767-9525.

Sacred Heart Visiting Nurse Association -- Family sponsors needed. Call Joanne Marzola 610-434-6134.

Sixth Street Shelter -- Sponsor a shelter family. Call 610-435-1490.

South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center -- Family sponsors needed. Call 610-865-2791.

Spring Garden Children's Center/Third Street Alliance -- Family sponsors needed. Call Pat Hunter 610-252-0559.

The Caring Place Youth Development Center -- "Christmas Angels" needed to sponsor inner city children, ages 6-18; program ends Dec. 15. Call Sally Boyer 610-433-5683.

The Salvation Army of Allentown -- Family sponsors needed. Call 610-432-0129.

Toys For Tots

Allentown: Salvation Army, 610-432-0129
Bethlehem: Salvation Army, 610-867-4681
Easton: Salvation Army, 610-258-9531
Pen Argyl: Salvation Army, 610-863-6677
Carbon County: Salvation Army, 570-668-0410

Allentown

City Limits Assembly of God -- Christmas trees to be distributed on Friday, Dec. 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at 302 Ridge Avenue, Allentown, along with food baskets and additional food items. Call Rita 610-776-8656.

Bethlehem

Northeast Ministries -- Serves public housing clients residing in Northeast Bethlehem and having address of Livingston Street. Call 610-691-3355.

South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center -- Serves clients residing within the area of ZIP Code "18015." Call 610-865-2791.

Allentown

Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church (Everlasting Life Ministries), 224 North Sixth Street, Allentown; 610-434-1477; Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

New Generation Learning Center, 712 West Linden Street, Allentown; 610-434-2456; Friday, Dec. 23 at 6 p.m.

Ecumenical Soup Kitchen/Catholic Social Agency, 179 Chew Street, Allentown; 610-435-1541; Christmas Day Dinner at 1:30 p.m.

Spirit of the Lehigh Valley, Four Points Sheraton, 3400 Airport Road, Allentown; 610-231-5701; Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; 13th "Annual" free Dinner Buffet including holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa and much more. Call to volunteer your time, talent or treasure.

Bethlehem

New Bethany Ministries, 333 Fourth Street, Bethlehem; 610-691-5602; Christmas Day Brunch at 11 a.m.

Trinity SK, 44 East Market Street, Bethlehem; 610-867-4741; Dinner, Dec. 23, from noon to 1 p.m.

Easton

Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 508-A Charles Street, Easton; 610-253-5846; a holiday party for children ages 5 to 12 to be held Friday, Dec. 23, from 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. No fee if member of club; non-members: $5.00 (includes club membership); must pre-register by Dec. 17.

Project Hope, Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Fourth and Ferry streets, Easton; Call Rose from 8 a.m. - noon 610-258-3599; Sunday, Dec. 18, from 2 p.m.-5 p.m., a meal for the homeless and needy will be served that will include a visit from Santa with toys for the children.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Location: St. Michael's Church, 219 Spring Garden Street, Easton; 610-253-0792; Sunday, Dec. 18 at noon; no reservation needed.

The following programs assist military personnel. Information includes how to send letters, packages or make purchases for troops. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Department of Defense no longer accepts items to be mailed to "Any Service Member." Particulars on how to package items are spelled out on the Department of Defense's Web site at www.defenselink.mil.

"Blue Star Mothers of America" -- contact: Dorothy Niklos 610-837-6122 or ivydot1@verizon.net This organization is a non-profit 501(c)3 service organization supporting each other, their children and promoting patriotism. They help facilitate the mailing of letters and packages to troops and promote other activities to help troops. Call or e-mail for more information.

"Gifts from the Homefront" -- 877-770-4438 or www.aafes.com -- This program allows service members to purchase convenience items as well as necessities at PX and BX facilities around the world. The certificates can be used for merchandise already stocked at any Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facility around the world, including more than 50 stores throughout central and southwest Asia. Certificates can be purchased by friends and families or groups. Charitable partners, including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House, will then distribute the certificates. To order the certificates, call or visit the Web site.

"Help Our Troops Call Home" -- 800-527-2345 or www.aafes.com -- This program allows people to purchase a Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card for U.S. troops stationed overseas. This initiative offers phone cards that do not expire and do not add any additional charges or connection fees. Each card costs $39 and provides more than two hours of call time from call center locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Charitable partners, including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House, distribute the cards. To order the 550-Unit Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card, call or visit the web site.

"Ladies Auxiliary of the Gold Star Veterans Memorial Post 2124" -- 610-791-0800; VFW Ladies Auxiliary 2124, 1110 S. Front Street, Allentown, PA 18102 -- Post 2124 in Allentown has adopted a Marine Expeditionary Group currently serving in Iraq. The auxiliary is accepting monetary contributions to purchase items for the Marine group and to help defray postage costs. Checks should be made payable to "VFW Ladies Auxiliary" and sent to the above address.

"Military Video Connection" -- 610-332-1589 -- Sponsored by the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, PenTeleData and Service Electric Cable TV and Communications, this program allows military family members to record a personal, three minute video e-mail message that will be sent free of charge to their loved one currently deployed. Call for more information.

"Operation Dear Abby.net" -- http://anyservicemember.navy.mil -- Founded by "Dear Abby" and in cooperation and partnership with the United States Department of Defense and LIFELines Services Network, a private and secure online resource, that will allow people to send a special message to our men and women in the military defending American freedom worldwide. For more information, visit their Web site.

"Operation ShoeBox" -- www.operationshoebox.com -- This non-profit, 501 (c)3 corporation's purpose is to encourage citizens to support service personnel deployed overseas. They have information on what types of items to send troops and also provide links to get names and addresses of service people. For more information, visit their Web site.

"Operation Uplink" -- www.operationuplink.com -- A unique program sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Operation Uplink keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. People can make a contribution online and the organization will purchase phone cards and distribute them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about. For more information, visit their Web site.

"Soldiers for Hope" -- www.soldiersforhope.com -- The mission statement of "Soldiers for Hope" is "No Soldier Be Left Behind." This program provides aid and comfort to all our soldiers who defend our country's freedom by packaging "boxes of hope" filled with both necessary day-to-day items as well as special holiday gifts that are sent to our troops overseas. Persons can become involved by either contributing materials (which can be shipped or dropped off at specified locations) or by donating funds, time or talents. For more information, visit their Web site.

"Dexter S. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation" Contact: Dorothy Niklos, Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council 610-837-6122 or ivydot1@verizon.net

The Baker Foundation has made a donation of international prepaid phone cards to be mailed to Lehigh Valley servicemen and servicewomen deployed overseas. Any local family who has a family member serving with the military overseas may request to have a phone card sent to their loved one. Call or e-mail for more information. Financial donations may be made for the purpose of purchasing additional phone cards. Make checks payable to "Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council" noting "phone cards" in the memo portion of the check. Send the donation to: Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council, P.O. Box 22522, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-2522.

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 of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.