Indian Mountain Lake in Albrightsville recently started “IML Cares,” a new team that is “dedicated to the betterment of the community at large, primarily focused on charitable efforts for not just our community, but the entire area.”

There are four core values in the mission statement: compassion, inclusivity, collaboration and empowerment.

General Manager Kelly McDermott and bookkeeper Linda Huber spearheaded IML Cares.

Trivia night was held as the first event to fundraise for lymphoma and leukemia. Held in the community clubhouse, hot dogs with sauerkraut and meatball sandwiches were on the menu. Desserts included strawberry shortcake cupcakes, giant cookies and ice cream with lots of toppings.

Olivia Rosenberger, a senior at Jim Thorpe High School, led the trivia rounds. Olivia and Harmony Burke are raising funds as part of “Student Visionaries of the Year” program to compete with other students to see who can raise the most funds for blood cancer.

Rosenberger had called the office about using the clubhouse for a fundraiser which happened to coincide with the start of IML Cares.

Trivia categories included general knowledge and groups of five. Everyone was scratching their heads when hearing the 5 members of a boy band and trying to figure out if it was NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys or New Kids on the Block.

Following several rounds of trivia, the crowd enjoyed music bingo.

Each bingo sheet had the same song names listed but in different orders. A clip of the song was played to mark your spot. Prizes included flavored hot chocolate, hot sauce and flavorings for coffee.

This first event raised $645 for leukemia and lymphoma.

The vision of IML Cares is that “Every member of our community has the opportunity to thrive and where the collective spirit of unity and support creates a foundation for lasting positive change.”

“We need to educate our community about different outreach programs, get involved and come together,” Huber said.

Future events include raising funds for A.W. S.O.M. (Animal Welfare Society of Monroe County), Meals on Wheels, holding a blood drive and bringing in the mammogram mobile.