BETHLEHEM, Pa. - With the holiday season upon us, the Holiday Hope Chest Program says it still needs donations to help serve more than 8,000 local children.
The program hands out boxes filled with toys and necessities to children ages 2 to 17 in need.
For two decades the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley has brought smiles to the faces of local kids through the Holiday Hope Chest Program.
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley CEO Karen Smith calls the program "happiness in a shoe box," serving more than 40 local nonprofits affiliated with kids.
Smith says they still need about 3,000 boxes filled.
“We see the program grow every year and we always say this is not a program that we want to see grow, but it means that the need has grown. So last year in 2019, we distributed over 9,000 shoeboxes. This year, our numbers are coming in around 8,000 and we are at about 60% of that collection to date."
Smith says people can help by making monetary donations, shopping online off of the pre-made wishlists, or volunteering their time.
For more information on how to help, visit: www.volunteerlv.org/holiday-hope-chests
