Newsletter: March 2026 
President's Report
Hello Southern Lehigh!
When you read this newsletter, we should be in the throes of warm(er) weather, a tease of the Spring to come. We’ll also be at the tail end of petition season, something that the majority of voters don’t even know about. Every person running for office must have so many signatures on a petition and for the last three weeks our local candidates have been asking for just that. If you have not signed any petitions and want to be part of this important process, please stop by our Pretzels and Petitions signing event Saturday, March 7 from 10 am – 3pm at Inspire, the Coopersburg Community Center, 538 Thomas Street, Coopersburg. There will be candidates, or their representatives, there to answer your questions and volunteers to make sure you sign the right amount of petitions.
Our monthly SLDC meeting is this coming Tuesday, March 10 at the Coopersburg Community Center. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM, come at 5:45 if you’d like to join us for No Kings III poster making. There will be a discussion of what’s next for the Primary election with candidates, or their surrogates, speaking.
Betty Lou’s Food Pantry could use these items: canned pasta, boxed potatoes, and toilet paper. Please bring any, or all of these items to the Petition signing and/or March meeting.
Calendar of Events
More events coming up in March:
Please note that SLDC does not endorse candidates in competitive elections, and we welcome our members to attend candidate events so they can be informed when they vote in the May primary.
Saturday, March 8, 3 pm Mark Pinsley, candidate for State Senate, sign up here for his meet and greet at Sarah Fevig’s home, to be held directly after the SLDC event, starting at 3 pm. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FBq77t8tx/
Tuesday, March 10 – 5:45 – poster making and snacks, SLDC monthly Meeting 6:30 Inspire, The Coopersburg Community Center, 538 Thomas Street, Coopersburg
Saturday, March 14, 8 pm – 2 am Mark Pinsley and team are planning a fun night in Allentown! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17BrsaiDZE/
Saturday, March 21, 9:30 – 11 am -Join Carol- Obando Derstine at Jacquline’s on Main, 201 North Main Street, in Coopersburg for coffee and conversation. Coffee is on Carol!
Saturday, March 28 – No Kings Rally 3. Some locations are listed here Southern Lehigh Democrats - Meeting/Event Information Get out and get loud!
Monday, April 6- 6:30 – Cedar Crest College – US House of Representative, District 7 Debate. Stay tuned for details! Sponsored by LCDC, Red Wine and Blue and Indivisible.
Thanks go to:
Big Blue Thank you to the following volunteers who helped out at our first petition signing on February 21 – Paul M, Rose F, Nancy B, Paige W, Shelley B, Laura T, Mallory L, Barb B, Ronnie A, Dan M, Tom I, Kathie P and Eileen C. Special thanks also to Tim S and Jon M who were able to stop the noise from our popcorn induced smoke detector noise.
Thanks also to Judy F. and Barb B. for making our second annual Pet food and supply drive such a successful event. Check out the pictures here: Southern Lehigh Democrats - Photo Gallery This benefited Betty Lou’s pantry and Animals in distress.
Community Service
Community outreach, Saturday May 9 – Every year our local Post Offices partner with Betty Lou’s Pantry in a Food Drive on Mother's Day weekend. The Post office puts out bags and information, and volunteers pick up the Food. Last year many people from our group helped by picking up food, sorting it at the pantry, and stocking the shelves. It’s a little work and a lot of fun. Let’s sign up again and show our community who we are: Betty Lou's: letter carrier food drive 2026
Did You Know...?
Planned Parenthood Needs Our Help, Now More Than Ever!
What’s Happening - Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide are facing escalating political attacks aimed at restricting access to sexual and reproductive health care. These tactics may even be part of an effort to end Planned Parenthood altogether!
Among their tactics, the Trump administration has reopened a previously settled COVID era loan issue and intensified federal “defund” efforts—first by blocking Medicaid patients from choosing Planned Parenthood, and now by undermining Title X funding in Pennsylvania.
The Impact Because of these compounded funding losses, Planned Parenthood can no longer absorb the cost of unreimbursed care. Starting this month, Medicaid patients will need to be referred elsewhere and sliding scale fees will be adjusted. These changes stem directly from federal actions that limit access to care amid an already strained healthcare system.
Get your care at Planned Parenthood:
· If you have commercial insurance—your visit directly supports their mission and can help others.
· Donate if you’re able, Donate to Planned Parenthood Keystone (FH)
From annual exams, UTI treatment, to menopause care and more you can view a full list of our services Services | Planned Parenthood Keystone or schedule an appointment at our Allentown Health Center Birth Control, STD Testing & Abortion - Allentown, PA
