A section of split rail fence along the Saucon Rail Trail near W. Water Street in Hellertown will be used for Project Keep Hellertown Warm. Look for scarves, hats, gloves and mittens for families in need to be tied there soon. These items will be donated by members of our community, for members of our community to take away, no questions asked.
The winter of 2018 so far has been harsh in the Northeast, with unusual cold and frequent snow affecting our area.
In addition to the everyday challenges extreme weather presents all of us, many people in our community are now facing an even greater economic struggle because of Mother Nature.
A higher-than-normal heating or electric bill can mean less money for clothing, including the warm winter accessories many of us take for granted. Sadly, children are often particularly vulnerable when family finances take a hit.
It’s for this reason that Saucon Source is launching a charitable endeavor called Project Keep Hellertown Warm and asking for your support of it.
Project Keep Hellertown Warm will make donated new and gently-used scarves, hats, gloves, mittens and other winter accessories readily available to local men, women and children who might be lacking them and afraid or too proud to ask for help in a time of need.
These items will be collected at various drop-off locations in the Hellertown area (please see the list below) and tied to a section of the fence along the Saucon Rail Trail at the borough’s Water Street Park, where anyone can come and pick them up, no questions asked. The borough has given Saucon Source permission for a prominent section of the split-rail fence to be used for this effort through Feb. 28, 2018. At that time, all uncollected items will be donated to a local clothing charity.
In addition to donors of warm winter accessories, volunteers are needed for an inaugural ‘tie-up’ at the park, and to help by periodically maintaining the section of fence by adding to it or tidying it up.
Please join the Project Keep Hellertown Warm public Facebook group if you are interested in helping in any way. The inaugural tie-up will be announced there in the near future. Please do not tie items to the fence beforehand, as this is a coordinated effort and it is our goal to maintain standards of cleanliness and presentability along the trail.
In the meantime, if you plan to donate gently-used items, please sort and gather them. Inexpensive new scarves and hats can be purchased at many retailers, including dollar stores. Please attach/pin items together if you are donating a set, and keep in mind that what you are donating will need to be tied to a fence rail. Then drop your items off at one of the locations.
With your support, together we can help make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors in need of a little more warmth this winter.
Thank you.
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS (more locations may be added)
- A Furry Tail Come True, 26 Main St., Hellertown, PA
- Doggy Dao & Cat’s Meow, 1238 Main St., Hellertown, PA
- H&R Block, 13 Main St., Hellertown, PA
- Hellertown Area Library, 409 Constitution Ave., Hellertown, PA
- Hellertown Bakery, 612 Main St., Hellertown, PA
- Kindred Spirits Books & Gifts, 66 W. Water St., Hellertown, PA
Please Note: Project Keep Hellertown Warm is collecting winter accessories including hats, gloves and scarves ONLY. To donate winter clothing–including coats–please consider a local organization, such as Via of the Lehigh Valley, which sells donated items at thrift shops. Via is a non-profit organization that provides services for children and adults with special needs like autism, cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome. Mountainview Moravian Church in Hellertown will also gladly accept winter coats, sweatshirts, jeans in all adult sizes or boots during the next two weeks for their two upcoming free clothing distribution weekends on the 13th and the 20th. Call the church to arrange a drop-off at 610-838-9344.
