Nonprofit News

Friends of the Allentown parks is a nonprofit organization that supports programs and initiatives in city parks. Its recent recognition ceremony highlighted efforts that have helped transform parks into gathering places for residents, families and neighborhoods.

New Bethany at Fourth and Wyandotte streets will hold a free Christmas Day brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. More than 100 families and individuals are expected.

Families of children who are patients at Lehigh Valley Health Network were treated to a toy giveaway on Tuesday morning.

Days before Christmas, the Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation teamed up with The Salvation Army and Ashley Furniture to help Allentown families recently displaced by fires. The effort provided beds, toys and essential items to children and parents.

The mayor pulled the proposal after council passed a 2026 budget that relies on cash reserves to balance.

"Trees of Historic Bethlehem," celebrating 20 years this holiday season, features two decades of its fan-favorite Christmas trees on display through Sunday, Jan. 11.

The new facility would add to the recent renaissance for arts in downtown Allentown.

Easton Farmers' Market will hold a Community Food Drive to collect fresh food, pantry staples and donations for SNAP at Scott Park on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Cast, crew, students and community gathered at the Univest Public Media Center, home to Lehigh Valley Public Media, for a red carpet premiere of the BET+ film celebrating local talent and the next generation of creatives.

New Bethany Executive Director Marc Rittle said the social service agency's client roster has nearly doubled since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be used to expand and create a "health hub."

Community members came together on Feb. 21 to rally in support of Lisa Campbell, the former associate director of the Easton Area Community Center, and contest her firing.

Science center officials are not offering tours to many, but they threw open the Da Vinci Center’s doors Tuesday for school district officials — and LehighValleyNews.com.

Local business panel, networking strategies, discounts on art and more — it takes place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Asante African Art in Palmer Park Mall.

Katarah A. Jordan has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown. She succeeds Deb Fries Jackson, who is retiring after 40 years of service with Girls Club of Allentown and the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.

Parkland School District Social Worker Diane Irish has begun hosting office hours for the Parkland REACH Village, a gathering space and community hub of information for anyone who lives in the district.

With an inconclusive prediction, Sunday's Super Bowl is up in the air — according to the Lehigh Valley Zoo's otters. The zoo in Lehigh County hosted its Otter Bowl XIII, which drew hundreds of spectators Saturday.

In lieu of fighting a lengthy legal battle, North Whitehall kitten rescue Foxy's Cradle is restructuring by spreading their services among volunteers and using a repurposed RV as a home base.

The annual winter arts festival will include a photo contest, vendors, and food trucks. Organizers are still seeking artists and vendors to take part.

Musikfest will have a new music conference in its lineup for this year.

Marci Lesko will become the next chief executive officer of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, it was announced on Monday. Currently serving as the organization’s chief operating officer, Lesko will succeed President David Lewis, effective June 3. Lewis is retiring after 36 years with United Way.

Nonprofit groups are allowed to apply for $10,000 to $50,000 in funding. But the applicant doesn't necessarily have to be a nonprofit, it just needs to serve the city, officials said.

Michael Keim was elected Monday as chairman of the board of directors of Lehigh Valley Public Media. Keim is president of Univest Bank and Trust and chief operating officer of Univest Financial Corp.