Ten nonprofit organizations, two Leos of the Year, and a Community Volunteer of the Year were honored by the Palmerton Lions Club.

The organizations received their just due at the club's annual Community Spirit Night held at Simply Something in Palmerton on Monday.Robert Silliman, club president, presented certificates of appreciation to Leo Club co-advisers Jeanna Baumgardt and Travis Fink.Leos of the YearProgram committee member Mark Green announced the two Leos of the Year: Palmerton Area High School seniors Madison Mummey and Janel Tracy."Leo members are very important to our organization," Green said.Mummey plans to major in business/marketing at Muhlenberg College.Her activities include Leo Club, student council, environmental club, FBLA, class officer, National Honor Society, student forum, gifted, basketball, field hockey, and track.Tracy plans to attend the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and major in military police.Her activities include Leo Club, softball, basketball, Avenger (newspaper), student council, FBLA, environmental club, National Honor Society, art club, and yearbook.Community Volunteer of the YearSilliman introduced Mary Lou McGeehan as Community Volunteer of the Year."We just had our most successful health fair we ever had thanks to Mary Lou," Silliman said.McGeehan, of Palmerton, currently serves as community education coordinator at Blue Mountain Health System (New Seasons and Woman Wise Community Outreach programs), where she promotes health and wellness for children, adults and seniors.She also facilitates and organizes health fairs for school-age children and adults, and is involved with safety awareness programs throughout the area.McGeehan has worked at Blue Mountain Health System for nearly 27 years. She started in 1987 in the Staff Development and Woman Wise Department, and was later promoted to New Seasons and Woman Wise Coordinator.Award RecipientsProgram committee member Judy Borger introduced the following recipients of donations: Aquashicola Fire Company, Blue Ridge Toy and Food Drive, Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches, Dream Come True, Palmerton Community Ambulance, Palmerton Fire Company, Palmerton Area Library, Palmerton Meals on Wheels, Palmerton West End Fire Company, and Trachsville Fire Company.Larry Arner represented Aquashicola Fire Company.Arner said the fire company just purchased a 2012 American Lafrance truck."This will help take care of modernizing it to our specs," Arner said.Bob Gogel accepted on behalf of Blue Ridge Toy and Food Drive.Gogel said the donation will go toward the annual dinner the organization holds at the end of the year with toys for children.Barb Brader represented CACPAC.Brader said the donation will help supplement food for many families in the area.Nick Hawkey accepted on behalf of Dream Come True.Hawkey said the organization gives about 12 to 15 trips a year.While it received a donation, Palmerton Community Ambulance did not have anyone on hand to receive the award.Dennis Behler represented both the Palmerton Fire Company and the Palmerton West End Fire Company.Behler said the Palmerton Fire Company would use the donation for odds and ends to equip its new fire station, while West End will use its donation toward equipment for the new firetruck.Diane Danielson accepted on behalf of the Palmerton Area Library.Danielson said the donation will go toward the library's summer reading program and Homework Helpers program.Darlene Nothstein represented Palmerton Meals on Wheels.Nothstein said the donation will be used to cover expenses within the organization, and it's thanks to organizations such as the Palmerton Lions Club that make it possible to serve the community.Wayne Knirnschild accepted on behalf of the Trachsville Fire Company.Knirnschild said the donation will be used on a fire prevention program that it runs at the elementary school, which he said is a worthy cause.Afterward, Silliman expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Club to the organizations.About the Palmerton Lions ClubThe Palmerton Lions Club meets on the first and third Monday of each month.Lions Clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work to fulfill those needs.For more information or to get involved with the Palmerton Area Lions Club, call 610-824-6490.