A trio of Palmerton residents and one organization have been heralded for their commitment to their community.

Borough council on Thursday recognized residents Jennifer Merkel, Clare Papay, Donald Hermann, and Palmerton United with resolutions.

Merkel started a volunteer group called “Kids for the Community.” The group took on a number of projects, including cleanup days, a toy drive, making cards and decorating at the local senior living facility, a blanket drive, a coat drive, Heroes’ Day, and raising funds for the Pace-Makers Association by selling refreshment at concerts in the park.

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused social distancing and a variety of needs for the community, Papay responded by organizing “Palmerton Area Helping Hands.”

The group of volunteers collects and delivers food to residents in need. Papay collected funds and food and set up an online form for community members to request assistance. She organized birthday parades, where as many as 100 cars drive past a home to boost morale in the community and brighten the days of children.

Papay has also been honored by Lehigh Valley Style magazine as a “Woman of Strength” for the work she has done for the community.

Hermann has volunteered on the Palmerton Memorial Park Association Board, spent time painting, planting flowers and cleaning up the pool property.

This past year, Hermann undertook a major cleaning project in town when he cleared weeds from sidewalk areas along six blocks of Delaware Avenue and also cleared weeds and debris from around the bandstand in the park. He has also been a volunteer coach with local youth soccer, basketball and baseball programs.

A Facebook group of local residents, Palmerton United recognized the need for support of the borough police department. They sold pro-police signs and organized a highly successful chance auction, the proceeds of which were donated to the police department for purchase of equipment.