BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There are new options available to donate money, time or material items to help the 135 residents and handful of businesses displaced after a recent fire at the Southside Five10 Flats.
You can even celebrate community and directly support the efforts by attending an event from 4 to 7 p.m. May 25 outside Country Club Brewing, 323 Pierce St.
Local business owner Derek Wallen, who oversees the event’s host nonprofit, Neighbors in Need, told LehighValleyNews.com on Friday that while the event still is being arranged.
But it will include a ball pit, food from The Burger Shack and Lehigh Valley creative Kyle Edwards on site for face painting, among other attractions.
Wallen, who owns nearby Country Club Brewing, as well as Roasted and Lehigh Valley Printing, said he witnessing residential and commercial neighbors in need after the May 2 blaze required swift action.
'So great and so giving'
Wallen said the Neighbors in Need applied for nonprofit status with help of Bethlehem-based Humanitarian Social Innovations the evening of May 9, and was ready for action that following Monday.
That, along with the outpouring of support from surrounding friends and family, sends quite a message, Wallen said.
“The community that we’re in is so great and so giving,” Wallen said.
“A bunch of those people were able to give their time to kind of get the ball rolling for this in such a quick turnaround.”
“The community that we’re in is so great and so giving. A bunch of those people were able to give their time to kind of get the ball rolling for this in such a quick turnaround.”Bethlehem business owner Derek Wallen
NIN also requests those who were displaced to complete a short survey sharing what assistanceis needed — whether it’s replacement clothing or other items, rental assistance, help with food or something else.
Even if they’re set for now, Wallen said they can always come back to ask for help later if needed.
Quelling the fire, shown to be caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials,” was a six-hour process involving more than a dozen city and area agencies.
The four-alarm fire was the city’s eighth of its kind in the past 25 years, according to city officials.
Local reports show it may take the better part of a year to get the building back to proper working order.
In the meantime, the displaced have been provided temporary stays at area hotels and are also encouraged to consult with the Red Cross for further assistance.
