In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" everyone from the community pitches in to help George Bailey when his bank is in trouble.

Could it happen today in real life?It happens every day in every local community.Just ask the Palmerton veterans.A few years ago the United Veterans Organization wanted to build a monument in the borough park, a large undertaking for a small town to the tune of $160,000.A state grant provided $10,000 and they got to work, raising the money in two short years, with no large donations. Sure, a few people gave $1,000 or $2,000, but just as many gave a few dollars and even pennies, according to George Duell Jr. of the UVO.Members stood at the bridge in town collecting loose change as cars passed by. They conducted a raffle. They sold memorial bricks.And for the first time in their lives these grown men sponsored a bake sale."We were told by the Girl Scouts and others that we'd make $500 if we had a good sale," Duell remembers.They asked wives to bake goods and set up in town. Problem was, as first-timers they had no idea what to charge when people asked."We said, 'We'll take donations,' " Duell remembered.That first sale raised $1,200; another raised $1,700. The drive at the bridge raised $7,800. While another community is still waiting years later to build a smaller wall, Palmerton got it done."People just wanted this," Duell said. "So many people had relatives who had served."Last year, attorney Steve Vlossak saw the Moving Wall tribute to Vietnam veterans and he wanted to bring it to Palmerton. Many people had seen the real tribute in Washington, but the veterans wanted to give everyone a chance to honor the sacrifices made.The costs would come to $12,000.When the wall came through in July, the town was ready. The money was raised. The Palmerton football team and others donated time and resources to put the wall in position.The result was that nearly 20,000 people toured the wall and attended ceremonies in the park."People said, 'This is the best one we've ever seen,' " Duell said.Projects continue. Palmerton native Sgt. Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey brought home a 20-by-38-foot American flag from Iraq.A flag is no good if it's not displayed, so the veterans got to work again and raised $17,000 to install a flagpole and a plaque at the entrance to town.The story doesn't end here. The memorial is still active. Every year new names are added. People purchase new bricks, pavers or benches. The UVO adds, at no cost, names of veterans to the slabs that qualify."Palmerton is a patriotic community," Duell said.He added that volunteers "work" throughout the community in other capacities, filling needs as they arise in the hospitals, libraries, food pantries, church organizations, Family Promise, Meals on Wheels, and on and on. Just walk through the park right now and see the 100 lighted trees.The Christmas in the Park grows each year, thanks to Michele O'Neill and a group of dedicated volunteers.The spirit continues throughout the region.This year, Lehighton joined in with 72 trees in its park. The town also worked for several years to pull off its 150th birthday party, an eight-day celebration of its heritage.Lansford Alive provides a bright spot in a struggling community.Lansford Alive began in 2000 with a group of business people in an effort to make improvements in the downtown, according to President Chris Ondrus."Over the years, the group focused on improvements to the downtown and community improvement throughout the town," Ondrus said.Projects over the years include new entrance signs, new Christmas lights, wreaths, and angels, tree and bench program in the downtown, and events in Kennedy Park.Ondrus said plans for 2017 include completing a list of all vacant buildings downtown in an effort to market the buildings, a real estate tour of numerous buildings, and facade improvements. The events committee is planning a rededication of a coal car in Kennedy Park, which is being refurbished.In both Carbon County and Tamaqua, STEP-Up groups have formed to take on the drug problem.In Tamaqua, another grass-roots group has been meeting to discuss a vision for the town.In every town, we have caring volunteers who want to make their communities better.Duell sums it up. "Not only is it community spirit, but it is the spirit of a community. Carbon County, while a small portion of our commonwealth, has a lot to offer, and yes, we do have a drug problem, crime does exist, unemployment and all the realities of the time we live in, but the light of volunteer spirit still shines brightly, as with the 100 lighted Christmas trees in Palmerton."Yes, that gift of community makes it a very merry Christmas throughout our towns.