Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol plans free Christmas in July event in Allentown

Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol will host a free family event on July 24 at Change on Hamilton in Allentown, offering photos with Santa, holiday activities and access to local resources. The event is designed to bring families together while highlighting recovery, wellness and harm-reduction services in the community.

Why it matters: - The free event combines family fun with outreach on substance-use recovery and community resources. - Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol is using a holiday-themed gathering to reduce stigma and connect residents with support services. - The event is open to families across Lehigh County and surrounding communities.

What happened: - Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol will host Christmas in July: Photos with Santa on Friday, July 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - The event will take place at Change on Hamilton, 927 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. - Admission is free, and no registration is required. - The event is presented with The Dear Santa Foundation. - For more information about Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol events, programs and resources, visit more information.

The details: - The first 100 children will get photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. - Families will also receive complimentary Crayola Giant Coloring Kits and Shake Shack frozen custard treats. - The event is open to children, families and residents from throughout Lehigh County and nearby communities. - The Dear Santa Foundation was founded by Gordon and Ellen Crowell, who have served the region as Santa and Mrs. Claus since 2017. - The foundation focuses on fulfilling Christmas wishes for underprivileged families through kindness, community service and philanthropy. - Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol says Change on Hamilton hosts year-round activities that support people and families affected by substance use. - The department says the event reflects its commitment to building healthy, connected communities and connecting residents to local resources.

Between the lines: - The event blends a seasonal celebration with public-health messaging, which gives the outreach a lower-pressure setting. - Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol has been expanding its community-facing efforts over the past year, including public health kiosks with free naloxone and harm reduction supplies. - The department also supported the reopening of Treatment Trends, Inc.’s renovated Allentown residential treatment facility and hosted a community screening of Pardon Me. - The mix of family programming and recovery resources suggests the county is trying to meet residents where they already are, not only through formal treatment settings.

What's next: - Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol says it will continue promoting health, wellness, recovery and community connection through local initiatives. - Change on Hamilton will keep offering activities, referrals and support for people navigating recovery. - Residents can follow future events and programs through riseaboveopioids.com.

The bottom line: - Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol is turning a holiday-themed gathering into a community outreach event, with Santa photos serving as the draw and recovery resources as the broader goal.