Mauch Chunk Trust Company held its 15th annual Community Heroes Awards on Wednesday night, honoring William H. Diehm of Jim Thorpe, Ralph C. Lennon of Lake Harmony, Edward J. Moyer of Jim Thorpe and James H. Wentz of Lehighton.

Of the 89 past heroes, 29 attended the dinner honoring 2014's Community Heroes at Mahoning Valley Country Club.Nominations began coming in around February, and the selection process is conducted by a committee of 12 people who are affiliated with MCT, as well as community members from Carbon County and the Tamaqua area.Connie Reinhart of Palmerton, who was honored in 2012, said, "The competition, I think, is very steep. It's a small town where there aren't many people, but there are plenty of people who help each other."Pat Reilly, president and CEO of MCT, spoke of how deserving the heroes are."They give countless hours, and they never look for any recognition or anything back," he said.He added, "The thing that is very rewarding for me and the other people involved in this project ... is the humility that these people have."Reilly hopes that others will see the heroes being recognized and take it upon themselves to give back to their community in similar ways.Diehm, who has been volunteering since age 12, was recognized for his involvement in a number of organizations including St. John's and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, American Legion Post #304, Maple Shade Nursing Home, Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club and the Jim Thorpe Fire Department.Upon receiving his award, Diehm said, "To be classified as a hero, well, 'hero' is a big word."He followed by acknowledging his family for their help and support."Part of that 'hero' goes toward my family for putting up with me being absent from home as I was at meetings, fire department activities and legion activities throughout my life," Diehm said.Lennon, who spent 54 years as a volunteer firefighter, participated in the Marion Hose Company, Community Nursing Program, Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company, Kidder Township Emergency Services and was a Jim Thorpe Knee-High football coach, among others.Lennon spoke of the definition of "hero.""I'll bet there's not a person in this room that doesn't look up to someone," he began."If we reverse that, we can say that we've probably been a hero in someone's eyes. You never know the impact, or how you affect someone's life."Moyer accepted his award for his leadership as a United Way chairperson, junior bowling coach, Emmanuel United Church of Christ Recreation Bus Driver and Disabled American van driver. He was also involved in a number of festival and parade committees, among other activities."Some of the spare time that I have, I enjoy working with the veterans," he said."This is my way of saying thank you to the veterans both past and present, for the sacrifices they made so I can enjoy my freedom," Moyer said.Wentz, who began volunteering in 1945, has aided the community through Boy Scouts, Parryville Methodist Church, Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton High School track and football and the United Veterans Organization, among others."I was a fortunate person. I never worked a day in my life," Wentz said of his years as a teacher in the Lehighton school district.He added, "As far as education, both as a teacher and a coach, my primary concern was the students," he said.A donation of $200 was made in the heroes' honor to a charity of their choice. Diehm donated to the Carbon County Dream Come True, and Lennon donated to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.Half of Moyer's donation went to Meals on Wheels of Palmerton, while the other half went to the Dream Come True Blue Ridge Chapter.Wentz also split his donation between the Lehighton Public Library and the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital.