They give, give, and give some more.

But, on this night, it was their turn to receive for all their civic-mindedness they display year-round.Recently, the Palmerton Lions Club held its Community Spirit Night at the Fireline Hotel in Palmerton.At that time, the group handed out its annual contributions to multiple civic organizations.George Unangst, president, gave the welcome. The invocation was given by the Rev. John Hazel.Robert Silliman, secretary, then introduced the guests from the organizations.Judy Borger announced the Community Spirit award recipients: Aquashicola Fire Company; Blue Ridge Toy and Food Drive; Dream Come True; Palmerton Community Ambulance; Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches (CACPAC); Palmerton Fire Company; Palmerton Area Library; Palmerton Meals on Wheels; and Trachsville Fire Company.Bill George, chief, accepted the award on behalf of the Aquashicola Fire Company.George told the club "we appreciate all your help and community support."Nick Hawkey, membership chairperson, said of the Blue Ridge Toy and Food Drive, "we appreciate everything we get. Thank you so much."Eileen Thompson, president of the Dream Come True, Blue Ridge Chapter, said "we greatly appreciate every dollar."Jean Solarzck represented the Palmerton Community Ambulance.Solarzck told the club "we're really grateful for the donations. It goes toward wheelchairs and equipment."Charlie Silliman, pantry coordinator, CACPAC, accepted on behalf of the organization.Silliman said "the support that the Lions Club gives us is greatly appreciated, and we want to thank you."Jereme Barkanic and Joe Rogowitz, of the Palmerton Fire Company, accepted their award.Rogowitz told the club "we appreciate everything you do for us. The money will be used for fire prevention for kids and families."Diane Danielson, director of the Palmerton Area Library, graciously accepted the award on behalf of the organization.Of the support the Lions Club gives it, Danielson said "we truly do appreciate it."Lisa Nemeth proudly accepted on behalf of Palmerton Meals on Wheels.Nemeth said "thank you so much for the contribution."Wayne Knirnschild, chief, accepted on behalf of the Trachsville Fire Company.Knirnschild told the Lions Club "we will use the funding to recruit new volunteers, for training, and for buying a new brush truck. Volunteers are hard to find these days."It was then time to give out the "Volunteer of the Year" award.Hawkey then presented the award to Ed Moyer, of Jim Thorpe.Moyer is actively involved with the Palmerton American Legion; junior-bowling program and computer training of elementary students; legion blood donor program; is presently an officer of the Palmerton Hungarian Club; is on the Carbon County Veterans Council; on the Carbon County Veterans Day Parade Committee; Palmerton Veterans Memorial Committee; and volunteers to drive the Disabled Veterans Van to Veterans Hospital in Wilkes-Barre.Having served on five memorial committees, Hawkey said the Palmerton Veterans Memorial Committee "was the best I've ever been on."Hawkey said Moyer has worked extremely hard on the memorial."It's well deserved," he said. "Believe me."Director Domenica Borger announced that Palmerton Area High School seniors Morgan Mummey and Meghan Dailey were the Leos of the Year.Mummey plans to attend Arcadia University to major in Pediatric Physical Therapy.Her activities include Leo Club vice president; Student Council president; Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), president; National Honor Society, vice president; Environmental Club; Student Forum; varsity basketball team, captain; varsity field hockey; and track.Dailey plans to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College to major in Computer Forensics and Network Security.Her activities include Leo Club, president; Student Council; FBLA, vice president; Environmental Club; photographer and writer for school newspaper "The Avenger"; varsity field hockey; cross country; and track and field summer league, captain.She is also the student who attended the Youth Leadership Seminar last year as a junior. Her participation was funded by the Lions Club.Robert Silliman then thanked the program committee.Hazel then gave the benediction.The Palmerton Lions Club meets on the first Monday of each month at the Palmerton Library on Delaware Avenue in Palmerton at 7 p.m., and the third Monday of each month at the Fireline Hotel.Lions Clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs.For more information, or to get involved with the Palmerton Area Lions Club, please contact Nick Hawkey at (610)-824-6490.Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.Since 1917, Lions Clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit

www.lionsclubs.org.