The Panther Valley Irish American Association recently reorganized their officers for the 2015 year.

Officers are Jimmy Gurka, president; Tommy Jones, vice president; Bob Ames, treasurer; Paul McArdle, secretary; and Michael McCall, assistant treasurer.The PVIAA has been in existence for 68 years and is a benevolent association that directs most of its charitable donations to local people in need.In the past few years, the PVIAA has attempted to increase donations to assist those in need during the struggling economy, donating over $1,800 in 2014.Saint Vincent DePaul Societies, local food pantries, The Salvation Army, Carbon County Special Olympics and local church parishes are just a few examples of the recipients.The association will hold its annual fundraiser and St. Patrick's Day celebration with a banquet at the Hilltop Community Center in Summit Hill, beginning at 5:30 p.m. March 17.To purchase an advertisement in the banquet program or to acquire tickets, contact Paul McArdle at

pmcardle@palmerton.org or 570-645-8707, Bob Crampsie at 570-645-7621, Emmett McCall at 570-645-2093, Bob Ames at 570-645-3587 or Tom Jones at 484-764-9691.