Need Holiday Assistance? Want to Help Others?
News Release: December 10, 2007
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

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 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.

Agencies holding holiday meals, events:

Allentown

Everlasting Life Ministries, Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 224 North Sixth Street, Allentown; Saturday, Dec. 15; 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Call 610-434-1477 or 610-776-4009.

New Generation Day Care, Catch 22, 333 Hamilton St., Second Floor, Allentown; Monday, Dec. 24, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Call 610-434-2456.

Ecumenical Soup Kitchen/Catholic Charities, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 179 Chew Street, Allentown; Christmas Eve Dinner at 1:30 p.m. Call 610-435-1541.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 36 South Eighth Street, Allentown; Christmas Day Dinner from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Call 610-435-9065.

Bethlehem

New Bethany Ministries, 333 Fourth Street, Bethlehem; Christmas Day Brunch at 10:30 a.m. Call 610-691-5602.

Trinity Soup Kitchen, 44 East Market Street, Bethlehem; Christmas Day dinner, from noon to 1 p.m.; call 610-867-4741.

Easton

Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 508-A Charles Street, Easton; Friday, Dec. 21, from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; holiday party for children ages 5 to 12. No fee if member of club. Non-members: $5.00 (includes club membership). Must pre-register by Dec. 18. Call 610-253-5846.

Project Hope: Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Fourth and Ferry streets, Easton; Sunday, Dec. 16; from 3 p.m.-5 p.m; event for the homeless and needy that will include a visit from Santa with toys for the children. Call Rose at 610-258-3599.

Jacob’s Christmas: Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton; Christmas Day Worship at 10 a.m.; St. Michael’s, 219 Spring Garden Street, Easton; Christmas Day Dinner at noon (Doors open at 11 a.m.) Call David at 610-905-5474.

Fogelsville

Spirit of the Lehigh Valley: Holiday Inn Fogelsville, I-78 and Route 100 South, Breingsville; Christmas Eve, Dec. 24; serving begins at 11 a.m.; 15th “Annual” Free Dinner Buffet including holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa and much more! Call to volunteer your time, talent or treasure. Call 610-391-1000.

Free bus pick-up. To reserve a seat and receive an invitation, contact one of the following agencies:

Allentown: Boys Club, 610-432-9323; Hispanic American Organization, 610-435-5334; Program for Women and Families, 610-433-6556; Salvation Army, 610-432-0129

Bethlehem: Community Services for Children, 610-437-6000; New Bethany Ministries, 610-691-5602; Salvation Army, 610-867-4681; South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 610-865-2791; Turning Point, 610-797-0530; Victory House, 610-691-3373

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

NOTE: Each individual or family MUST have an invitation to present to the bus driver and/or at the entrance to the Holiday Inn Fogelsville.


Agencies offering holiday assistance:

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

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.


Organizations requesting donations of items, volunteer time:

Aids Activities Office: Donations of gifts/food for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS for their “Christmas Angel” program. Call Erin Shay at 610-969-4266.

Allentown Rescue Mission: 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 donations 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 at 610-740-5500.

Boys and Girls Club of Allentown: Donations of age-appropriate gifts for children ages 6 through 14 to be distributed at holiday parties. Deadline: Dec. 12. Call Deb Fries-Jackson at 610-432-9944.

Boys and Girls Club of Easton: Donations of age-appropriate gifts for children ages 5 through 12 to be distributed at a holiday party. Donations need to be delivered to the agency by Dec. 18. Call 610-253-5846.

Daybreak: Donations of new adult socks, blankets, extra large T-shirts or sweatshirts, gloves, hats and VCR along with toiletry items and a floor buffer. 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 Christine Morrison at 610-820-5049.

Easton Area Neighborhood Center: Donations of blankets, hats, gloves, along with hams, turkeys and non-perishable food items. Call Joyce Drolz at 610-253-4253.

Everlasting Life Ministries: Donations of cooked turkeys (in disposable tins), baked goods, gifts for children, money and time to support a community holiday dinner being held Saturday, Dec. 15. Persons wishing to volunteer at the dinner should arrive by 11 a.m. for the first seating beginning at 12:30 p.m.; and 2:30 p.m. for the second seating beginning at 3:30 p.m. Call Reverend Gus Al-Khal at 610-434-1477 or 610-776-4009.

Grace Community Foundation (Food Pantry): Donations of non-perishable food items along with baby items such as baby food, diapers and formula. Call Patty at 610-435-7245.

Hogar Crea: Donations of toys and clothing for children and women ages 20 through 50. Both new and used items accepted. Also the donation of female personal care items. Call 610-866-3442.

Jacob’s Christmas: Contributions, donations, and volunteers needed for Christmas Day meal to be held at St. Michael’s, 219 Spring Garden Street, Easton, sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton. Doors open at 11 a.m. Meal served at noon. Contact David at 610-905-5474 or bonner@att.net.

Lehigh County Conference of Churches: Requesting the following adult items: Bar soap, blankets, combs, deodorant, female hygiene products, gloves, hand lotion, hats, men’s socks, new or clean/used underwear, pony tail holders, razors, scarves, shampoo, shaving cream, small hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste. Children: coloring books, crayons, puzzles, etc. Infant/Toddler Items: baby bottles, diapers in sizes 3, 4, and 5 and lotion. Call Ira Faro at 610-433-6421. Note: J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16th 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. Contact Sonya Siegfried, J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home with any questions.

Lehigh County Conference of Churches Soup Kitchen: Requesting donations of fresh food, large trash bags, and paper products. Call 610-433-6421.

Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services: In need of gift cards for teens. Suggestions: Best Buy, Boscov’s, Burger King, Circuit City, Kmart, Lehigh Valley Mall, McDonalds, Target, Wal-Mart and any of the local movie theaters. Also baby items such as bottles, diapers, newborn clothing, winter blankets and gift certificates from stores where formula may be purchased along with age-appropriate non-violent toys. Call Tracy Shiffert at 610-782-3303.

Linkage Street Outreach: Requesting donations of long-burning candles, outdoor flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, thermal underwear, socks and work gloves. Call Ben Stevens at 484-664-7320, ext. 15.

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

Northeast Ministries: Donations of coats and gloves for both adults and children. Call 610-691-3355.

Pathways: Donations of deodorant, diapers in sizes 3, 4, and 5, shampoo/conditioner, soap and toothpaste for low-income and homeless families. Call 610-433-6421.

Project Hope: In need of toys for children (ages 3 weeks through 18 years of age) who will be attending a holiday event. Also perishable and non-perishable food items for the planned holiday meal to be served on Sunday, Dec. 16, that includes chickens, hams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned yams, rolls, gravy and cranberry sauce plus non-perishable food items for baskets along with the donation of mittens, scarves and socks and personal care items for seniors. Call 610-258-3599.

ProJeCt of Easton, Inc.: Donations of hooded sweatshirts in sizes large and extra large along with socks and donations of food for the food pantry. Also book bags for the literacy program. Call Stephanie Polak at 610-258-4361, ext. 20.

Rejoice: Donations of toys, children’s clothing and items suitable for teens. Contact organization directly and ask for their “wish list.” Call Iveliss Torres at 610-439-1990.

Sacred Heart Visiting Nurse Association: Monetary donations in order to purchase gifts for children of clients along with the donation of non-perishable food items. Call Joanne Marzola at 610-871-2802.

Safe Harbor: Call for “Wish List” that includes food, clothing, personal care and household items. Call 610-258-5540.

Sixth Street Shelter: Donations of infant/toddler items such as diapers, food and formula along with cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. Call 610-435-1490.

South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center: In need of new, donated items that will be used to stock shelves of a holiday shop where children may shop for gifts for family and friends. Donations of food both non-perishable and perishable including meats to stock the food pantry. 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 Holiday Inn Fogelsville, Routes 100 & I-78, Fogelsville. Especially needed are gifts for older children and teens. Also accepting food donations such as dinner rolls and desserts along with donations of toiletries such as toothbrushes, hats, gloves and scarves. Call Pam Rex at 610-336-4503.

Spring Garden Children’s Center: Donations of games, puzzles, school items and age-appropriate educational toys for children who attend the center ages 3 months through 10 years of age. Call Pat Hunter at 610-252-0559.

The Caring Place Youth Development Center: Donations of children’s coats, hats and gloves along with food and snack items. Call Sally Boyer at 610-433-5683.

The Salvation Army of Allentown: Turkeys and canned hams are needed to fill holiday food baskets along with volunteers to pack the baskets. Donations of clothing and toys. Volunteer kettle bell-ringers needed. Call Major Carol Duperree at 610-432-0129.

The Salvation Army of Bethlehem: Turkeys, chickens and canned hams are needed to fill holiday food baskets along with volunteers to pack the baskets. Also accepting donations of non-perishable food items. Donations of clothing, diapers, formula, shampoo, soap and toys. Donations may be dropped off weekdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at 521 Pembroke Road. Volunteer kettle bell-ringers needed along with volunteers for the Toys for Tots toy distribution. Call 610-867-4681.

The Salvation Army of Easton: Donations of non-perishable food items especially holiday foods such as cranberry sauce, stuffing, potatoes and juice. Also accepting donations of turkeys and other meats such as hams and chickens frozen or canned. Donations of books to fill the shelves of the children’s library. Volunteer kettle bell-ringers needed. Call 610-258-9531.

The Salvation Army of Pen Argyl: Donations of non-perishable food items. Volunteer kettle bell- ringers needed. Call 610-863-6677.

The Salvation Army of Carbon County: Volunteer kettle bell-ringers needed. Call 570-668-0410.

Trinity Soup Kitchen: Donations of boneless hams and cash contributions to be used towards the purchase of Christmas gifts. Call Liz Miller at 610-867-4741, ext. 302.

Turning Point of Lehigh Valley: Donations of new gift items for women and children especially for teen boys, along with gift certificates for teens and food baskets for Turning Point’s “non-designated gift program.” Call Sandy Hall-Brown at 610-797-0530.

Valley Youth House: Gift certificates for teens for fast food, local games/outings, music, and clothing stores. Also donations of clothing of T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts including gloves, mittens, winter hats, socks, belts, and underwear along with watches, journals, bead kits, gimp kits, arts and crafts, and body sprays. Call 610-691-1200.


To “adopt a family or individual,” contact:

Aids Activities Office: Call Erin Shay at 610-969-4266.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley: Call Dara Kelly at 610-391-1827, ext. 16.

Boys and Girls Club of Allentown: Call Deb Fries-Jackson at 610-432-9944.

Boys and Girls Club of Easton: Call 610-253-5846.

Camelot for Children: Call JoEllen Moll at 610-791-5683.

Daybreak: Sponsor a participant in the Daybreak program. Call Christine Morrison at 610-820-5049.

Easton Area Neighborhood Center: Call 610-253-4253.

Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services: Call Tracy Shiffert at 610-782-3673.

New Bethany Ministries: Call Ellen Jacoby at 610-691-5602.

Sacred Heart Visiting Nurse Association: Call Joanne Marzola at 610-871-2802.

Sixth Street Shelter: Call 610-435-1490.

South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center: Call 610-865-2791.

The Caring Place Youth Development Center: Call Sally Boyer at 610-433-5683.

The Salvation Army of Allentown: The Angel Tree Program allows individuals in the community to help out a specific child with a Christmas wish. Volunteer workplaces needed to sponsor a tree. Family sponsors needed for the Adopt-a-Family Program. Call Major Carol Duperree at 610-432-0129.

The Salvation Army of Bethlehem: The Angel Tree Program allows individuals in the community to help out a specific child with a Christmas wish. Volunteer workplaces needed to sponsor a tree. Family sponsors needed for the Adopt-a-Family Program. Call Captain Joy Labbe at 610-867-4681.

The Salvation Army of Carbon County: Call Esther or Captains Gary and Joyce Thorton at 570-668-0410.

The Salvation Army of Easton: The Angel Tree Program allows individuals in the community to help out a specific child with a Christmas wish. Volunteer workplaces needed to sponsor a tree. Family sponsors needed for the Adopt-a-Family Program. Call 610-258-9531.

The Salvation Army of Pen Argyl: The Angel Tree Program allows individuals in the community to help out a specific child with a Christmas wish. Volunteer workplaces needed to sponsor a tree. Family sponsors needed for the Adopt-a-Family Program. Call 610-863-6677.


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 nearly 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 23,000 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.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 680,000 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 23,000 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.