In 2014 the annual Earth Day 5K Hippy Run/Walk was created by the class of Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Leadership Carbon Program. This year the program will showcase invaluable nonprofits in Carbon's own backyard for the class of 2016-17.

The mission of the revamped chamber program is to cultivate leaders for the benefit of Carbon County's future by helping develop a deeper understanding of the structure, opportunities and challenges in Carbon County, to create an important pathway between emerging and existing leaders, and help establish new leaders in the local community.The program will consist of a schedule of half-day classes spread out over nine months, beginning in September with a graduation date tentatively set for May 10, 2017."This is a unique program to get skills up to speed to be more viable in the community," said Maureen Donovan, assistant director of Workforce and Community Services at Lehigh Carbon Community College. "We will give people skills that will help them feel comfortable in any situation."The chamber has partnered with LCCC with the purpose of creating and fine-tuning future leaders for the county and beyond."A collaborative effort makes the most sense for this community," said Donovan.An 11-person committee worked to create the class schedule for this year, which will include field trips across the county with stops being made at Carbon County K-9 Patrol and Animal Shelter, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and a visit to the courthouse complete with County Commissioner and Leadership Committee member Wayne Nothstein giving a private tour of the historic building."We really wanted to make it beneficial for everyone. A lot of people don't realize what's here," Donovan said."This isn't a type of cookie-cutter program," said Donovan."Like any class, as we get to know participants we'll be able to give them coaching they need," Kissner said.The semester will kick off with a pre-class evening mixer on Sept. 8, at sponsor Blue Mountain Resort, where the class will be introduced to their classmates and a few of the 200-plus nonprofits the class will work with for the program."Being a volunteer gives not only personal satisfaction but helps the community," Donovan said."We want people to support the community and help our nonprofits," said Marlyn Kissner, executive vice president, Northern Region Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and Carbon Chamber and Economic Development.The partners are hoping for a strong mix of participants to register for the class, "We are looking for diversity in the age group, we can all learn from everyone else. Everyone brings something different to the table. Diversity of group makes for better interaction and conversation," Donovan said.The Chamber took over the program, formerly known as Partners for Progress, in 2013. The following year graduating participants developed and executed the Hippy 5K Run/Walk which helps raise scholarship funding for high school students."The projects that have been created have been great. But we need to support the nonprofits in our community. We are really trying to foster that throughout the program," Kissner said.The class is not just for interested people, but a chance for employers to send employees to brush up on skills or learn a few new ones that will help improve work performance. "It's a good way to educate employees on products in the area. To help educate them on the county especially in outreach or sales roles," Kissner said.Currently three area businesses are sponsoring the program: Blue Mountain Resort, First Northern Bank and Trust Co. and Mauch Chunk Trust Company. The chamber welcomes any business wishing to be a part of the program, with varying levels of sponsorship opportunities.This is an adult program for anyone 21 years of age and older.Registration for the program begins May 1, with an application deadline of July 1. To register, visit

www.carboncountychamber.org or contact program coordinator Linda Rex at 610-379-5000.