With money raised from its annual carnival, Crusaders for a Cause presented the Palmerton Police Department with three Breathalyzers on Tuesday morning. This makes it possible for every patrol car to be equipped with one.

"It's another tool in the arsenal to fight DUIs," said Palmerton Police Chief Randy Smith. "We're very grateful and thankful to the Crusaders for a Cause for their donation."Christina Obrecht, one of the founders of the organization, said the Breathalyzers ordinarily cost about $500 each, but the supplier gave them a discount since they are a nonprofit organization purchasing them as a donation."We got them for $330 each," she said.Obrecht said her group has been running the fundraisers for 10 years now. The carnival is held in the Palmerton Borough Park for four days in the spring from Thursday through Sunday. It is the group's only fundraiser. All of the profits are given away, she said. They don't keep any of it."We're very fortunate to have people who are willing to donate," Smith said.Since its beginning, Crusaders has been able to donate $18,000 to area nonprofit organizations, fire and police departments and ambulance companies.In addition to purchasing Breathalyzers for the Palmerton police department this year, they also decided to donate $2,000 to the Carbon Schuylkill Unit of the American Cancer Society Telethon.Judy Hoppes, the community manager/special events for the American Cancer Society Frackville hub office, said, "We are thrilled to receive the donation."In general, donations fund education, advocacy, patient services and cancer research, she said. People diagnosed with cancer can get information any hour of the day, every day of the year by calling the society's toll-free number at 800-227-2345."Someone is always there to talk to people and help them through their cancer," Hoppes said.One program she is fond of is called Road to Recovery, which provides transportation to cancer patients to and from their medical appointments free of charge. The drivers are trained and safe, she said. Background checks are run on all volunteers before they can drive for the cancer society.If someone would like to volunteer his or her time as a driver, Hoppes said they can always use more volunteers, just call the toll-free number for more information and to sign up."They can drive as little or as much as they want," she said.Crusaders founder Christine Obrecht is one of the many survivors of cancer. She battled Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and has been in remission for 10 years. She said she started the organization because "I wanted to give back to the community."Obrecht said she plans to continue raising money to donate to others for as long as she can, "in any way, shape or form."