By BILL LEINER JR.

Special to The Press

Volunteers of Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley, in conjunction with Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church, gathered together Feb. 12 to pack bags for the homeless.

Due to the pandemic, homelessness has increased in the Lehigh Valley, including families with children.

Gallon-sized resealable bags were stuffed with necessities to be distributed to the local homeless.

The bags contained items such as bottled water, applesauce, toothpaste, toothbrushes, ChapStick, socks, hand sanitizer and more.

The goal of the event was to assemble at least 200 bags for delivery to the homeless.

Miracle League Executive Director Kristy McKeever worked with Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church member Jody Crawford and others to coordinate the event, held at the 3300 Seventh St., Hokendauqua, church.

Originally, the goal was to fill 50 bags. After a request for help was placed on Amazon, the donations poured in.

Volunteers were able to fill 200 bags for distribution.

The bags were given to Operation Address the Homeless of Allentown, Caring DAM Hearts of Slatington and Allentown Police Department.

“The Miracle League relies on donations and volunteers for much of our existence,” McKeever said. “We wanted to give back to the community and are grateful for the support we received.”

Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church has a mission to “introduce ordinary people to extraordinary, ever-growing life in Jesus, our Savior,” according to its website.

Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley, with its playing field in Heidelberg Township, was founded in 2006.

Miracle League organizes sports and social activities throughout the year for hundreds of children and young adults with special needs.

The group’s founding principles are inclusion and enhancing self-esteem, and everyone deserves a chance to play baseball.