The Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary honored several volunteers at its annual Volunteer Recognition and New Member Tea onApril 20 at the hospital.

Alice Frable was recognized for volunteering 8,000 hours, followed by Ann "Nan" Campton and Honey Cyr with 4,000 hours each. The volunteers receive a pin for each of their milestones.Priscilla Offen, the president of the hospital auxiliary, said they have about 100 volunteers. Some of them have been volunteering for the auxiliary for more than 40 years."We do have some very loyal, long-standing members," she said.All three of this year's top volunteers began their work with the auxiliary in the 1970s."I do enjoy it very much. I love being around people," Frable said. The other volunteers are "like family."Frable volunteers at the Nearly New Shop. For many years, her husband volunteered there with her. He has since passed away, but she continues to sort clothes on Mondays and schedules the other volunteers.One of those volunteers is Campton, who began volunteering after leaving her career as a nurse to raise a family."We have a good bunch of people," she said about the crew at Nearly New. After they get done sorting on Mondays, the bunch goes out for lunch."I think I just enjoy the girls' companionship," she said.Both women say the Nearly New Shop is a great community service.Frable said if a family has lost their belongings in a fire or are just having a difficult time financially, "We let them take what they need."Volunteer Honey Cyr agreed that the hospital auxiliary is "a very important presence in our town."In addition to the Nearly New Thrift Shop, the auxiliary also runs The Owl's Nest Gift Shop in Palmerton Hospital, the Adult Day Services Center, makes Huggy Bears pillows for patients, and many other services, said Offen, the auxiliary president.Cyr works in the hospital's gift shop, which is full of moderately priced gifts and wares."It's very nice for the patients," she said, "And the employees take a great interest in it."Other volunteers who were recognized for their service include: Carol Simmons, 2,000 hour pin; Carol Curcio, Honey Fabian, Joann Kercsmar and DeeDee Owens, 1,000 hour pin; Patrick Clark and Dorothy Scheckler, 500 hours; Laura Irvin, Sheila Lannak, 100 hours; and Aly Buskirk, Irina Skrapits and Mary Werner, 100 and 50 hour pins.New members include: Cindy Avate, Susan Baker-Hoffner, Kiersten Brobst, Mary Flexer, Kathy Brown, Frances Carazo, Jane Farkas, Joy George, Destiny Green, Michele Hoffman, Patrice Kohan, Donna Lemond, Debbie Lutz, Kristin Melnick, Donna Smith, Joyce Thompson, Mary Tobia, Mary Werner and Patricia Woginrich.Anyone interested in joining the auxiliary can pick up volunteer papers at The Owl's Nest or Nearly New Thrift Shop in Palmerton.