In a day and age when it’s difficult to find volunteers, the Panther Valley Irish American Association is still going strong after 75 years.

Formed in 1948, the association, a benevolent group rooted in Irish Heritage and Catholicism, is celebrating its 75th anniversary at its annual banquet on Sunday, March 17.

Except from two years that were canceled because of COVID-19, the association has recognized a person each year as their annual Shamrock Award recipient.

The honorees have included doctors, businesspeople, educators and coaches, government officials, religious leaders, civic organizers, and a myriad professionals who all have one thing in common - service to their community.

The annual banquet recognizing the Shamrock Award recipient also serves as the group’s main fundraising event. Each year with the money raised at the event, the PVIAA then donates to local organizations that focus on fighting hunger in the area.

In the last two decades, the association has contributed over $50,000 to the following organizations: the Summit Hill Food Bank, the Lansford Food Pantry, the Nesquehoning Food Pantry, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the Tamaqua Salvation Army.

The focus on combating hunger was an idea that was originated by the late Bob Ames of Coaldale, a longtime PVIAA member who felt it would be a fitting way to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the devastating potato famine in Ireland in 1852. Each year since 2002, the PV Irish Americans have donated anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 per year to the local organizations.

The members have also been a regular supporter of the American Cancer Society in its annual telethon.

In addition, a new initiative is in the works to create a scholarship award for graduating seniors from Panther Valley High School who have Irish heritage and who exemplify the traits that the association recognizes each year in their Shamrock Award winner.

This year, the PVIAA is honoring the contributions made by Tamaqua’s Maureen Donovan. A story on Donovan ran in Tuesday’s Times News and can be found online at tnonline.com.

If you would like to become a supporter of the Panther Valley Irish Americans and/or would like to attend this year‘s banquet, get in touch with Paul McArdle Jr. at PaulMcArdle74@gmail.com or (570-956-8705), Bob Crampsie (570-657-1876), or Patrick Crampsie (570-657-7598).