Cold temperatures and snow-making machines helped make the 3rd annual Community Day at Blue Mountain Ski Resort a success.

St. Luke’s University Health Network coordinated with Blue Mountain and the Pennsylvania State Police Community Affairs Department to create the event with other organizations taking part. It was held at Blue Mountain’s Snow Tubing Park near the Valley Lodge at the bottom of the ski slopes.

Families had a chance to visit the various tables set up, meet the volunteers, get some free gifts, and watch demonstrations from some of the groups, to learn what they do.

“Blue Mountain and St. Luke’s Hospital have a relationship,” explained Micah Gursky, director of Business Development & Government Relations with St. Luke’s Hospital.

“We started several years ago to promote health and wellness, particularly outdoor recreation, all year round. Blue Mountain has a year round facility here where people can be active and healthy. We thought it would be really helpful to have a community day where people who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can come out and spend some time at the resort.”

Blue Mountain Resort donated 300 passes to their snow tubing facility.

The Pennsylvania State Troopers distribute their passes to the families and community organizations that they work with, and St. Luke’s distributed passes to school groups and family groups that they work with in Carbon County.

Trooper Ryan Seiple, from Troop M, Bethlehem; and Trooper Jasmine Berrocal, from Troop N, Hazleton, work together as Community Affairs Officers for their respective locations.

“It’s an event to come here to the mountain, have fun, hang out with the first responders, and put on a positive,” Seiple said.

“So many times as first responders, we don’t get to see them reacting to the public in regards to positivity. So here we all come together to interact with our communities and the public on a positive.”

“I partnered with Hamilton Elementary with the principal there to give some free tickets to kids that may not be able to have an opportunity like this,” Trooper Berrocal explained. “We’re just trying to give back to our community, have them come here, see the different organizations too, and have a good time.”

Many first responder and emergency vehicles were on display for tours, and children had a change to try out the sirens.

Some of the organizations that took part included St. Luke’s University Health Network, Blue Mountain Ski Patrol, the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania National Guard, Palmerton Fire Department, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Lehighton EMS, Lehighton Police Department, Bushkill Police Department, Lehigh Township Police Department, and the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development.