🌱 Patch AM: How did Bethlehem’s Hispanic Center stretch limited donations for 150 kids?

Hey there, Bethlehem! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How did Bethlehem’s Hispanic Center stretch limited donations for 150 kids?
• How is ICE enforcement really playing out in South Bethlehem?

Also on today's calendar: Open House | Riegelsville Home on 2 Acres | Investment Potential and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 39 and low of 24 degrees.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy and very cold, temps: high: 27, low: 15. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: A bit of afternoon snow; cold, with a high of 30 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Bethlehem Hispanic Center toy drive brings holiday joy to 150 local children (wfmz.com) — Families on Bethlehem’s South Side lined up at the Hispanic Center today as 150 children received toys and holiday cheer despite tighter resources and fewer donations. Organizers limited this year’s drive to food pantry families, stressing that community support and year-round donations are crucial to keeping the center’s programs going for local residents.
   

• 'Really hard to see': Town hall explores ICE enforcement and how residents can support families (lehighvalleynews.com) — A recent town hall in Bethlehem brought residents together to discuss how ICE operates locally and how families can support one another, especially after a high-profile raid at South Bethlehem’s Five10 Flats apartments. Speakers, including local officials and advocates, outlined immigrants’ rights, described alleged courthouse detentions, and promoted the new Lehigh Valley Emergency Response Network and upcoming volunteer trainings.
   

📸 Around Bethlehem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday December 15

• Open House | Riegelsville Home on 2 Acres | Investment Potential
  3288 Slifer Valley Rd, Riegelsville
  11:00 am

Wednesday December 17

• Bethlehem Municipal Band Christmas Concert
  Northeast Middle School, 1170 Fernwood St, Bethlehem
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 13

• THREE OF US
  ARTISAN Wine and Cheese Cellars , 55 W Lehigh St , Bethlehem
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Rustic Jolly Christmas
  Painting with a Twist , 3650 Nazareth Pike Unit 4 , Bethlehem
  1:30 pm

Monday December 15

• NEMS Boys Basketball vs Whitehall @ Home
  Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Orchestra/Jazz Band Winter Concert
  East Hills Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18017
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• NEMS Girls Basketball vs Springhouse @ Home
  Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
  4:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Blue Christmas Worship
  Epworth United Methodist Church , 3245 Oakland Rd , Bethlehem
  9:00 am

📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 14

• Shopping at the Mill and Santa Photos
  Tavern Room at Heller-Wagner Grist Mill , 170 W Walnut St , Hellertown
  12:00 pm
• 🎄🍸Girls Night Out - Holiday Edition! A Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience
  Vault 634 , 634 Hamilton St , Allentown
  5:40 pm

Monday December 15

• NEMS Girls Basketball @ Whitehall
  Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
  4:00 pm
• NEMS Boys Basketball vs Whitehall @ Home
  Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Orchestra/Jazz Band Winter Concert
  East Hills Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18017
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• NEMS Girls Basketball vs Springhouse @ Home
  Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Yes, Chef! Behind the Apron Showcases the Stories, Strength, and Community of Local Chefs —Traditions of Hanover Read on Patch

• Does anyone recognize this adorable guy??
  An all back cat with a little white spot on his chest! I see this cat at Donegan Elementary School every week and it is very friendly. It rubs up… (Nextdoor Goodman Campus)
• Jessie is an incredible cook!
  Everything we’ve tried from her has been tasty and home cooked. I highly recommend this business! (Nextdoor Elmwood Park)

• Restaurant Depot posted a job opening for Stocker - Perishables in Bethlehem. Apply here.
• Dunkin' posted a job opening for Team Member in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.

🗞 Nearby News

Allentown

• Bath Zoning Hearing Board approves variances for proposed Wawa on North Walnut Street (homenewspa.com)

Bath

• Boys basketball 2025-26: An early primer for EPC, Colonial League, independents (lehighvalleylive.com)
• Lehigh Valley weather: More snow possible this weekend (mcall.com)
• Northampton County Council says good-bye to four departing members (wfmz.com)

Nazareth

Ok Bethlehem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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