The Mauch Chunk Trust Company has recognized many volunteers since the start of its Community Heroes program, but this year was the first time the room broke out in song.

Four people were called to the podium to be recognized at a dinner at the Mahoning Valley Country Club.Arthur Connely, Louise Koons, Martha Marie Moyer and Darlene Nothstein have all been lifelong volunteers throughout the area."We began celebrating the community and the people in it who make it better in 2000," said MCT President Patrick Reilly."They tend to labor in obscurity and just want to give back. It's always humbling to me the things these people do," he said."These folks have really been in the trenches. It's a privilege for us to recognize them."Reilly called the honorees up to the podium to receive an engraved plaque and a $200 award to be donated to the charity of their choosing.Connely of Tamaqua has carried on the family tradition of volunteering in the Tamaqua Fire Department since he was a student. He serves in the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association and Advisory Board, Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association, Pennsylvania State Fire Association, the Carbon/Tamaqua unit of the American Cancer Society and the Tamaqua Public Library Board."I know at least a dozen people who are just as deserving as I am. I'm honored," Connely said.He thanked his wife, Sharon, before handing over the microphone. "There are many times I wasn't at home but she kept the home fires burning," he said.Connely donated his award to the Tamaqua Public Library.Koons of Palmerton was reorganized for her efforts with the Girl Scouts, The American Cancer Society, Family Promise of Carbon County, The Palmerton Girls Athletic League, Palmerton PTO, and the Palmerton Ambulance Association. Koons will donate her award to the Sacred Heart Church in Palmerton."I am humbled to be one of four recipients of this award," said Koons. She thanked her family and friends while holding her plaque."They have always been supportive of me. Just knowing I've helped someone is reward enough," she told the crowd.She said she accepted her award "in honor of all the wonderful people I had the pleasure to volunteer with."Moyer of Jim Thorpe was described as "a real people person," by Reilly as he called her to be recognized for her donating her time with the Catholic Youth Organization, being a Jim Thorpe Lioness Charter member, working with the Valor House in Jonas, the Carbon County Senior Games and Mary's Shelter in Bethlehem."I don't know who that woman is he was talking about," Moyer joked after hearing Reilly read the list.Moyer thanked her parents for leading by example in showing the value of engaging in the community."They were always doing something for someone," she said.Moyer, a longtime singer in the community, finished her speech with a song, "The Impossible Dream." After a few lines from the opening verse she encouraged the room to join her and the audience was happy to oblige. Male and female voices mixed with Moyer's soprano tone to complete the song from "Man of La Mancha," followed by a round of loud applause."That was a first," Reilly said. "She didn't pick an easy song either."Moyer donated her award to the Dimmick Memorial Library.Nothstein of Palmerton was surrounded by her Class of 1965 classmates during the ceremony. She has volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program, the Special Olympics of Carbon County, the Miller-Keystone Blood Bank, Carbon County United Way, and the Palmerton Hospital.Nothstein congratulated all past and current volunteers on being recognized. She will donate her $200 to the Special Olympics of Carbon County and Meals on Wheels in Palmerton.She quoted a Bible verse, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. I think volunteering is the perfect way to love thy neighbor."Nothstein shared moments from her volunteer work that have touched her over the years before turning the tables on the MCT president and board."In 2015 this hero supported over 150 nonprofit organizations and donated $106,000 to our communities. This hero has quietly touched the hearts and lives of the community," she said.Revealing a plaque of her own, Nothstein called Reilly to the podium to accept a Number One Hero Award."I'm touched. You weren't supposed to notice," said Reilly about the company's community involvement."It's a privilege to work for a company who really supports the community," he said.Reilly told the crowd how important it is for MCT to be involved in recognizing and helping the community they work to serve."You are where you live. Anything we can do to make the community a better place it helps the bank."Donovan, a recipient last year, served on this year's nomination committee."It's very humbling because these people do so many things under the radar. It's an amazing event," Donovan said.To nominate a volunteer for the 2017 Community Heroes, Reilly told the crowd to contact the MCT board with names."We look to the community for nominations," he said.