It’s becoming increasingly more difficult these days to find people who freely give of their time willingly and without pay.

That’s what makes the supreme volunteer efforts of local residents Arthur W. Connely, Louise M. Koons, Darlene E. Nothstein and Martha Marie Moyer all the more impressive.The four volunteers were recognized as the “2016 Community Heroes” when Mauch Chunk Trust Company unveiled its 17th annual Community Heroes recipients on Friday at the North Street branch office in Jim Thorpe.The charities selected by this year’s Community Heroes are: Tamaqua Public Library, Sacred Heart Church in Palmerton, Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe, Special Olympics of Carbon County and Meals on Wheels in Palmerton.This is the 17th consecutive year that Mauch Chunk Trust Company is recognizing local volunteers, according to Mauch Chunk Trust Company President and CEO Patrick H. Reilly.“Volunteers often don’t receive the recognition they deserve,” Reilly said. “We are proud to have the opportunity to honor these outstanding members of our community who selflessly donate their time and talents to help make our local community a better place to live and work.”Arthur W. ConnelyA resident of Tamaqua, Connely was recognized for his contributions to the Boy Scouts of America, American Hose Company #1, Tamaqua Fire Department, Tamaqua Elementary Schools, St. Jerome’s School, Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association & Advisory Board, Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association, Pennsylvania State Fire Association, Tamaqua Area Crime Watch, Tamaqua East End Park, Carbon/Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society, Tamaqua Public Library Board, Tamaqua Memorial Day Parade Committee, Sons of American Legion, Lutheran Brotherhood Grant Programs and his church.“There are so many deserving people,” Connely said. “It’s not for notoriety; you’ve got to give to your community.”Louise M. KoonsKoons, of Palmerton, was chosen for her volunteer efforts including the Girl Scouts, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Tutoring, Children’s Choir, Family Promise, Aquashicola Fire Company, St. John Neumann School, Palmerton Halloween Parade, Palmerton Pool Pals, Palmerton Community Festival, Palmerton High School Softball Parents Group, Palmerton High School All Night Party, Palmerton Girls Athletic League, Palmerton Field Hockey Parents Club, Palmerton PTO, Palmerton Basketball Parents Club, Palmerton Swim Team Parents Club, Palmerton Library Association, Red Cross, Palmerton Ambulance Association and her church.“I just love helping people,” Koons said. “To me, it’s a joy, it’s fun; I met a lot of wonderful people through volunteering.”Darlene E. NothsteinAlso of Palmerton, Nothstein was recognized for volunteering her time with Meals on Wheels of Palmerton; Special Olympics of Carbon County; visiting shut-ins, convalescent home patients and assisted living members; Family Promise; Miller Keystone Blood Bank; Veteran’s Trips to Washington D.C.; Jim Thorpe Women’s Club; March of Dimes; Bach & Handel Chorale; Holiday Homecoming Chorus; Hometown Proud Foundations & Scholarships; Carbon County Foundation; American Cancer Society; Carbon County United Way; Palmerton Hospital; Palmerton 4th of July Celebrations; Palmerton Veterans Memorial; Palmerton CAC-PAC Food Pantry and various churches.“Since I was a little girl in Sunday school, I was taught to love thy neighbor as thyself,” Nothstein said. “My family was always like that. And, it’s fun.”Martha Marie MoyerMoyer, of Jim Thorpe, was selected for donating her time to the Catholic Youth Organization, Girl Scouts, Children’s Little Theater, Adult Theater, Dinner Theaters, Mauch Chunk Victorians, St. Luke’s Hospital Black Diamond Event, Asa & Harry Packer Mansions in Jim Thorpe, Jim Thorpe Lioness Charter Member, Carbon County Fair, Valor House in Jonas, Penn Forest Volunteer Fire Company Charter Member, American Cancer Society, various hospitals and nursing homes, Mauch Chunk Museum, Mauch Chunk Opera House, The Inn of Jim Thorpe, Bach & Handel Chorale, Carbon County Senior Games, various Women’s Clubs, Mary’s Shelter in Bethlehem and multiple churches.“I think it’s an honor to be chosen,” Moyer said. “It’s things that you do; you don’t think about it, you do it from your heart.”The award recipients, nominated by community residents, will be recognized at a banquet on June 28 at The Mahoning Valley Country Club in Lehighton. Mauch Chunk Trust will present each recipient with an award and a $200 donation to the charity of his or her choice.For Community Hero Banquet information, contact Deborah Bamford at 570-325-0410.