Four local women who prefer obscurity were admiringly thrust “into the spotlight” during a dinner program Tuesday at the Lehighton American Legion Post.

They were honored as “Community Heroes” through Mauch Chunk Trust Company’s annual Community Heroes Program.

Patrick H. Reilly, president/CEO of MCT, said they were “pushed into the spotlight because they made our lives so much better.”

They were honored at the program, attended by over 100 people, for outstanding volunteer service to their community.

The award recipients are:

• Jael Houser of Tamaqua.

• Holly Koscak of Tamaqua.

• Jodi Smale of Palmerton.

• Rebecca Worthy of Lehighton.

Each received a plaque from the bank, a $200 donation to the charity of their choice from the MCT Community Heroes Foundation, and citations from the Carbon County Commissioners, State Sen. David Argall and State Reps. Doyle Heffley and Jamie Barton.

Reilly said this is the 24th year the bank is honoring Community Heroes from the Carbon County and Tamaqua areas.

“It’s been a proud tradition,” he said.

Since its inception, the bank has honored — including this year’s award recipients — 124 individuals.

The awards were presented by Thomas Lisella, the bank’s board chairman.

Houser has been involved in organizing the annual Tamaqua Easter Egg Hunt and Tamaqua Community Cleanup Days. She also provided support for first responders and demonstrated leadership in youth programs.

She said upon receiving her awards, “I will continue to do what I do best. And that is volunteer.”

She said she has five children, adding that they and her husband are “all active in the community.”

Her $200 donation is being given to the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Pennsylvania.

Koscak has supported various Tamaqua School District events and Special Olympics activities. She is also involved with the Tamaqua Animal Rescue.

She said what she does, “I like to do on the QT and quietly.”

Her donation is split between Tamaqua Public Library and Tamaqua Animal Rescue.

Smale serves as secretary and co-chair of the Palmerton Community Festival Board and works as a Girl Scout Leader for Troop 3305. Her community involvement extends to serving as a Faith Alive Church Trustee and holding officer positions with the swim team, including serving as president.

She has participated in Christmas Cantata performances, coordinates Micah’s Backpack program, and volunteers in the Faith Alive Church nursery.

She praised her parents for her incentive to become involved in the community, saying they are “two of the biggest examples of giving back to the community.” She said they were involved in numerous organizations.

“I hope I can continue to make an impact on the community,” she said, adding, “I don’t like to be in the spotlight. I like to remain in the background.”

Her donation is being given to the Palmerton Community Festival.

Worthy teaches Sunday School at Zion UCC Church and serves as secretary of Lehighton Pool Pals. She also serves on the special committee for the Linda Schoenberger Memorial Swim Fund.

Community involvement includes participation in the Lehighton Downtown Initiative, Turn to Us, Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance and Lehighton Area Merchants Association.

Reilly said what Worthy does “impacts a lot of youth in our county.”

Worthy said, “I can’t be more honored.”

Her $200 is being given to Lehighton Pool Pals.