If you’re looking for a way to make a difference this holiday season, the Lower Saucon Township Police Department is involved in several initiatives you and other local residents can get behind.
A Lower Saucon Township Police Department SUV is parked outside the department’s headquarters at 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike in Lower Saucon Township. (FILE PHOTO)
Through Thursday, Nov. 20, the department is collecting non-perishable foods for its Fill The Police Car Food Drive to benefit the community food pantry at New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Apples Church Road in the township. All donations are appreciated, and items that are especially needed include canned spaghetti, ravioli, jelly and cereal. Items can be dropped off in a box in the police department foyer (open 24 hours a day/seven days a week), the township administrative office during regular business hours or the Lower Saucon Authority, 3706 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18015, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
To help make the holidays brighter for local children who might not otherwise receive gifts this year, Lower Saucon Police are once again partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program by collecting new, unwrapped toys for kids of all ages. Toys can be dropped off at the police department (24/7), the township administrative office during business hours or the Lower Saucon Authority between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The deadline to donate toys is 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15.
Finally, through Nov. 30, Lower Saucon police officers are participating in No Shave November to raise money for St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Cancer Compassion Fund, which supports cancer education, prevention and patients in the community. Normally clean-shaven, participating officers are growing facial hair and donating a minimum of $50 to support the cause. Community members can drop off donations at the Police Department, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18015, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Nov. 30.
Lower Saucon Township is also supporting Emily’s Hug Mee Drive to collect Squishmallows, which Emily and her crew will deliver to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital this Christmas. Donated Squishmallows must be brand new because they will be given to kids who may have compromised immune systems. Emily’s goal is to collect 1,000 of the cuddly toys, which can be dropped off in a box located in the foyer of the township building, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18015 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The deadline to donate is Monday, Dec. 15.