Published December 17. 2024 03:06PM
Mayor J. Williams Reynolds invited students from Calypso and Clearview elementary schools to kick off the holiday season for the Mayors Tree Decorating Event Nov. 21 at city hall. The tree is outdoors near the large candle display overlooking the Southside region. The areas well needed rain decided to flow causing the event to be held inside the Rotunda which did not dampen the spirit of the day. It was a well organized day of activity and good cheer in coordination with the “Cops ’n‘ Kids Children’s Literacy Program of the Lehigh Valley” under the direction of it’s President, Beverly A. Bradley. Activities included, catered lunch provided by ShopRite of Bethlehem, The City of Bethlehem Health Bureau provided water and healthy snacks where the kids could make fruit shapes as a culinary craft. Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Retail Baking Department baked and decorated cupcakes for dessert. Free books were provided by Cops ’n’ Kids with PPL. New Backpacks for each student were a surprise by Bethlehem Business Forms / Working Dogs. Marlene Lakey gifted each child with their choice of one of her hand crocheted headbands or scarves. Just Born, Inc passed out treats and there was an appearance of the Peeps chick mascot too. Holiday music played inside the rotunda by Liberty HS Grenadier Marching Band conducted by Allan Frank. The Bethlehem Police and Fire Departments were on hand to give a good sense of community. To learn more of the Cops ’n’ Kids of the Lehigh Valley events and activities, find them at copsnkidslv.org/.
The JustBorn Peep took center stage at the Mayor’s Tree Decorating Event held in Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda. To his left is Beverly A. Bradley, President of Cops ’n’ Kids Literacy Program of the Lehigh Valley and on right is Mayor J. Williams Reynolds.
Jayla and Emerson, students at Calypso ES, choose a free scarf just in time for winter. At this table, hand crocheted scarves and headbands are offered by Marlene Lakey of Bethlehem. She wanted a personal project, so she took her love of yarn and purposed it to provide these items to kids at these events. She has made 8,000 scarves so far over a 10-year span.
The Bethlehem Fire Department joined in the day’s event, meeting and greeting the students. They brought fun giveaways and outside, firetrucks were lined up on the street at Payrow Plaza to explore.
Mary Marquez hands over dessert to an elementary student. Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School brought cupcakes to finish off the kids lunch provided by ShopRite of Bethlehem. The BAVTS Retail Baking Department baked and decorated the cupcakes.
The Cops ’n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program of the Lehigh Valley has a mission. It is ‘connecting kids and community through literacy.’ The program has distributed, thus far, more than 1.2 million free books. During this event, students chose two books each to take home courtesy of PPL and Cops ’n’ Kids.
At one of the busy craft tables, students design ornaments from wood shapes and markers to take home and add to the family tree.
Conductor Allan Frank helps students lead the Liberty HS Grenadier Marching Band while they played holiday music. The Mayor’s Tree Decorating event was met with rain so all festivities were held inside city hall’s Rotunda. Photos continue on A5.
press photos by lori patrickStudents had a big day and stopped for a farewell photo on their way out accompanied by City of Bethlehem police officers representing the Cops ’n‘ Kids Children’s Literacy Program of the Lehigh Valley. They are wearing backpacks provided by Bethlehem Business Forms/Working Dog to be filled with cheer and goodies from the many additional sponsors.
