By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsored a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 16 at the Caring ”DAM” Hearts Closet, 7935 Route 873, Slatington.
Founded in 2016, Caring “DAM” (the initials of founder Denise A. Martine) Hearts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which provides clothing and living essentials to those in need at no charge.
There are no cash registers or price tags on any products at either location.
First opened at 1341 W. Linden St., Allentown, the Slatington address was added in 2022.
According to the website: “Our focus is to give help and hope to the homeless, veterans and less fortunate throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities to lead better lives. We accomplish this with random acts of kindness as well as purposeful events. We give love, encouragement, resources and help to those that God has placed in our path.”
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Caring Hearts Closet volunteers Juan Lugo and son Miguel were arranging items in the storage shed Feb. 16 at the Caring Hearts Closet newly opened buildings, 7935 Route 873, Slatington.
Volunteers for Caring Hearts Closet gathered Feb. 16 at their new facility at 7935 Route 873, Slatington, Conner Martinez; Louis Bobbyn, board member; Chelsea Humanick; Carolyn Kutta; George Kutta; Mea Kern; Braheim “Baha” Owens; Courtney Morrison; Keri Reese; Wendy Morrison; Austin Martinez, vice president and Lori Aikens, manager; Miguel Lugo, youngest volunteer; Megan Reese; Jeremy George; Austin Malick; Saran Lugo; Denise “Neice Eie” Martinez, founder, president, CEO; Juan Lugo; AJ Frasier, board member; Ted Martinez, treasurer; Bethe Hoppes; Mel Lawson, board member and Terry McCloud, all with Caring Hearts Closet. Missing from photo are Tara Bellhorn, secretary and Kaylyn Lugo.
Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong addresses the attendees Feb. 16 at the Caring Hearts Closet, 7935 Route 873, Slatington, after presenting Caring Hearts Closet president, founder and CEO Denise Martinez with a proclamation.
Maureen Capora, representing Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th, presented a proclamation to Caring Hearts Closet president, founder and CEO Denise Martinez at the ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 16.
Sean Millan presents Caring Hearts Closet president, founder and CEO Denise Martinez with a proclamation from state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, at the ribbon cutting ceremony at Caring Hearts Closet, 7935 Route 873, Slatington.
Jessica O'Donnell, executive vice president of Affiliated Chambers for The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce congratulated Denise Martinez, Caring Hearts Closet founder, president and CEO at the opening of their second Lehigh Valley location at 7935 Route 873, Slatington.
Attending the ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 16 for the Caring “DAM” Hearts' second facility at 7935 Route 873, Slatington, were Jessica O'Donnell, executive vice president of Affiliated Chambers for The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce; Wendy Morrison; Courtney Morrison; Austin Martinez, vice president; Lori Aiken, manager; Miguel Lugo, handling the scissors; Denise Martinez, founder, president and CEO; Ted Martinez, treasurer, all with Caring Hearts Closet; Phillips Armstrong, Lehigh County Executive; Walt Neidermier, board member; Andy Gildner, board officer, and Cindy Miller, board member, all with Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce.
Chelsea Humanick, Terry McCloud, Keri Reese, and patron Barbara Snyder are seen inside the new showroom of the Caring Hearts Closet, 7935 Route 873, Slatington. PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND
