Published December 28. 2020 01:05PM
The annual Christmas party thrown by the Bethlehem Women of Excellence was, like so many events, different this year.
Due to Pa. Health Department restrictions, needy families were not permitted to gather for a meal in the Broughal MS cafeteria. However, the nonprofit organization of Christian women founded by Dr. Enid Jackson – along with volunteers from the Southside and from various faith communities – did not let the coronavirus steal Christmas from South Bethlehem families.
With the help of building owners Larry and Kate Eighmy and tenant Wells Fargo, the volunteers distributed boxed meals and bags of wrapped gifts to families, one at a time, at the Wells Fargo lobby at 301 Broadway.
Donors providing food, supplies and presents for this year’s celebration were The Stone House Group Building Stewardship, Just Born, Albarell Electric, the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, the Bethlehem Area Public Library, Lehigh Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts, Christmas City Studio, the City of Bethlehem, Tastykake, the Hellertown Library, Holiday Hope Chests, and Hands In Service.
PRESS PHOTOS BY THERESA O'BRIEN Latoyia Small and her children, Jasiira and Siddiq, prepare boxes of Dunkin' Donuts for distribution to families. Jasiira and Siddiq have been volunteering with their mother for several years.
Volunteer Valerie Rodriguez checks on macaronic and cheese in the oven.
Gifts galore line the walls of the Community Room on the fifth floor of 301 Broadway. Families were required to register for the event in advance, so gifts could be bagged together for easy distribution to one family at a time.
Dan Eaton and his son Kyle prepare to check in with other volunteers in the lobby from their post on the fifth floor. Both men are members of El Bethel House of Prayer.
Faith Bauer holds one of the Sesame Street gingerbread house kits that the Women of Excellence are distributing to families this year.
Angie Alozie and Liberty HS senior Itzamar Acevedo are ready to greet families at the guest services table.
Kirk Baker takes the temperature of a volunteer bringing food to the event. In previous years, the Christmas party was a sit-down luncheon; this year, families received boxed hot meals.
Kate and Larry Eighmy have helped Dr. Enid Jackson with the Women of Excellence event for more than a decade. The owners of 301 Broadway, they stepped up to offer the group space to stage its modified Christmas celebration.
