The Kovatch family, owners of KME and the Kovatch Corporation in Nesquehoning, were honored this week for their continued support and dedicated service to the Lehigh Carbon Community College.

They were the 2014 recipients of the college's "Collegiate Award of Distinction."Dr. Ann D. Bieber, president of the college, presented the award during a ceremony held at the Kovatch firm. Accepting it on behalf of the family was Kathy Kovatch Reaman, director of human resources information systems for the family business."It's a great honor for us to be honored by LCCC," Reaman said. "They give so much to the community. They're a great asset."Reaman has served on the LCCC's Foundation Board of Directors since 2003 and presently is vice chairwoman and secretary.The Kovatch family and corporation have been long-time supporters of LCCC.In 2004, the Kovatch family donated a 37-acre environmental property to the LCCC Foundation.Also present at the awards ceremony were John Kovatch III, CEO of the Kovath firm; Judy Kovatch Lebo, vice president; John Kovatch IV, vice president, and Rick Reaman, CFO.Several members of the board of directors of LCCC also were present, including Audrey Larvey, chairman of the board.Bieber said, "The LCCC Collegiate Award of Distinction is presented annually by the college's Board of Trustees to recognize a person or an organization or in this case, a family, for unique contributions to the community, faithful service and dedication in support of education, and to humbly honor those select few who have demonstrated their commitment to the college and its students."She said the Kovatch organization leads by example."From its founding, the company established its strong core values by encouraging volunteerism, engaging its various constituents and serving wherever needed," Bieber said. "The Kovatch Organization knows, though, that to fulfill its role in the community, it needs to be more than just a manufacturer it needs to continue to be an active participant affecting positive change and contributing to the greater good."The Kovatch firm was founded by the late John Sonny Kovatch in 1946.The family continuously expanded the firm and today has more than 700 employees.Despite its tremendous growth, which includes constructing military vehicles, fire trucks apparatus for cities throughout the U.S. and countries around the world, and building other emergency vehicles, the Kovatch family has retained the world headquarters and central manufacturing center in Nesquehoning.Until his passing in 2011, Sonny Kovatch led the way first with his service in WWII and his lifetime membership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, then to his strong ties to St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Nesquehoning. Sonny received many honors for his years of civic and business achievements including the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1995.The Sonny Kovatch Foundation supports worthy causes throughout the region, across the country and around the world.This foundation supports The Burn Prevention Network, an annual scholarship program for Carbon County high school seniors, and has been instrumental in its continued strong efforts to advance the LCCC SHINE Career Academy After-School program.Earlier this spring, the SHINE program students built a DUI checkpoint vehicle for the Carbon and Schuylkill County police departments.Larvey said, "The Kovatch Organization knows what 'community service' means. The company has a tremendous impact on the communities of Carbon and Schuylkill counties, but perhaps even more than that, they have inspired students, employees, neighbors, and business and industry for generations to come."