state rep. ryan mackenzie, r-134th

Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government put into action a more secure form of identification, known as REAL ID, for Americans seeking to fly domestically and/or enter certain federal buildings. Full implementation of the new requirements will go into effect Oct. 1, 2020.

Although Pennsylvania is among the last of the states to make REAL ID available, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is offering the new identification.

Getting a REAL ID is optional. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID and PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver licenses and photo IDs.

Customers who received their first license before September 2003 and want to obtain a real ID will need to bring the required documents to a Driver License Center so they can be verified in person. (Residents who received their first license after September 2003 have been able to pre-verify since March. Those documents include:

•Proof of identity (original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal or valid U.S. Passport. Contact the office of state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, if you need a birth certificate. Processing times can take several months.

•Unlaminated Social Security card.

•Proof of all legal name changes (marriage certificate or court order).

•Two proofs of current, physical Pennsylvania address (current, unexpired PA license or ID and a no more than 90-day-old bank statement or utility bill with the same name and address).

PennDOT staff will scan the documents to the customer’s record and the customer can opt into the REAL ID program online and their REAL ID product will be sent through the mail.

To obtain a REAL ID, customers will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee (current renewal fee is $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license or a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over age 65 and has a two-year license.

This expiration date structure means the customer won’t “lose” time for which they’ve already paid. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee, beyond regular renewal fees, to renew a REAL ID product.

Customers have three options for obtaining a REAL ID product: pre-verified customers may order their REAL ID online; they can visit a PennDOT Driver License Center, have their documents verified and scanned, pay the one-time fee and their REAL ID product will be mailed to them within seven to 10 days or they can visit one of up to 13 REAL ID Centers and receive their product over-the-counter at the time of service.

More information about REAL ID in Pennsylvania is available at www.penndot.gov/REALID, or you can call Mackenzie’s office at 610-965-9933.

GRACEDALE NURSING HOME, Nazareth, is looking for volunteers (ages 18 and over or 14-17 with adult supervision) for its annual outdoor picnic Family Fest 3:30-7 p.m. Sept. 10 (rain date Sept. 11) in the Gracedale Gardens. Volunteer duties include helping with food stands, games, handing out prizes and cleanup. All volunteers will receive complimentary food tickets. Call Jennie Repsher at 610-829-3823 or email jrepsher@northamptoncounty.org.

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO, Schnecksville, needs volunteers to help at its 12th annual Run Wild 5K/10K for animal conservation. Volunteers are needed 6:30-10:30 a.m. Aug. 17. Volunteers will help with stations such as registration, check-in, water/snack stands, timing and awards, course guides and trail safety and more. Call Julia Seeley at 610-799-4171 or email jseeley@lvzoo.org.

MUSEUM OF INDIAN CULTURE, Allentown, will host its annual Roasting Ears of Corn Festival Aug. 17 and 18. Volunteers are needed to help with cleanup 6-9 p.m. Aug. 18. Opportunities Aug. 17 and 18 consist of helping with children’s activities, food stands, hospitality and social media coordinator. For more details, call Pat Rivera at 610-797-2121 or email info@museumofindianculture.org.

OLD FREEMANSURG ASSOCIATION received a grant to continue restoration work on the historic Lockhouse #44 on the Lehigh Canal, Freemansburg. Volunteers (ages 16 and over) are needed to demolish current flooring on the first floor, replace floor joists, lay a new sub-floor, repair plaster on first floor walls and paint first floor walls. Carpentry experience is preferred; tools and water will be supplied. Long pants and sturdy shoes are a must. Call Lynn Rogers at 610-393-0625 or email ldr1017@gmail.com.

ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK, Bethlehem, Quakertown and Warren campuses need volunteer escorts, patient advocates and hospice volunteers 8 a.m. to noon or noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Spend time socializing with and providing comfort items to patients and lending a hand to staff. Call 484-526-4600 or email volunteers@sluhn.org.

Contact the Volunteer Center to receive a directory listing agencies in need of volunteers at 610-807-0336. nteerlv.org. Visit www.volunteerlv.org for a larger listing of volunteer opportunities.

on first floor, replace floor joists, lay a new sub-floor, repair plaster on first floor walls and paint first floor walls. Carpentry experience is preferred; tools and water will be supplied. Long pants and sturdy shoes are a must. Call Lynn Rogers at 610-393-0625 or email ldr1017@gmail.com.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK, Allentown, is gearing up for its Great Allentown Fair’s “Buck and a Can Night” Aug. 27. Ten volunteers are needed for two shifts (4-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m.); two vol

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK, Allentown, is gearing up for its Great Allentown Fair’s “Buck and a Can Night” Aug. 27. Ten volunteers are needed for two shifts (4-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m.); two vol