The members and representatives of the Befesa Community Fund presented checks to grant recipients on Wednesday at the Palmerton Area Library in Palmerton.

The Befesa Community Fund board of directors held a check presentation to 11 area organizations who offered applications to fund community projects that benefit the greater Palmerton area and surrounding communities.

Chairman Rory Koons welcomed the attendees and recognized the current board members. Koons noted that the board offered a slight change by combining both the spring and fall presentation, and awards totaling $23,000 were presented in 2025.

Organizations that received donations were the Palmerton Community Band, Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance, Inc., Lehighton Area Pool Pals, Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association, the Concourse Club of Palmerton, Palmerton Area Historical Society, Palmerton Recreation Committee, Palmerton Memorial Park Association, Borough of Palmerton, Slatington Public Library, and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

John DeSousa, president, Palmerton Community Band, said the band’s award would go to continue its Summer Concerts in the Park series.

Neil Stubits, board of directors, Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance Inc., said the organization has a train display, about 18 feet by 5 feet, that it refurbished and depicts the Lehighton area from that time frame. He said it was created by a man who grew up in the 1930s and 1940s in Lehighton and whose sons donated it back to them. Stubits said they are hoping to have it up and running at a location in the Mahoning Valley by spring.

Mark Hoffman, president, Lehighton Area Pool Pals, said the group plans to celebrate America250 with a Card Board Regatta Race on May 23, and plan to put up a huge 20-foot umbrella to provide shade.

Celeste Williams, fundraising chairperson, Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association, said the organization will use their award to buy new lifeguard chairs.

Clare Papay, board member, Palmerton Memorial Park Association, said they will utilize the donation for pressure-washing equipment.

Carol Curcio, Palmerton Area Historical Society, said they will look to use their award to install a new heating unit at the Palmerton Area Heritage Center. Curcio, who also represented the Concourse Club of Palmerton, said the group gives out prizes for its annual Art Show.

Pam Andrews, director of summer recreation program, Palmerton Recreation Committee, said the group would use its award to cover insurance costs, cost of crafts/supplies, and to replace equipment.

Richard Nothstein, councilman, Borough of Palmerton, accepted on behalf of the borough. Contacted after the event, borough manager Autumn Canfield said the award “helps in the maintenance of our parks. They are wonderful assets to our community and their support allows us to continue to keep them in excellent condition.”

Joyce Thomson, board of trustees, Slatington Public Library, said they plan to apply their award toward the maintenance of their building.

Chad Schwartz, executive director, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, said its amount would be used to continue to support subsidies for school programs, specifically for Palmerton and Northern Lehigh students to get some educational programs.

The Befesa Community Fund is financially supported by Befesa Zinc and awards semiannual awards in spring and fall of each year.

Koons informed the groups that the board of directors recently has implemented an electronic application process, along with supporting guidelines for applicants to follow. The guidelines provide information that the board requires in seeking grants. Organizations are urged to review the guidelines before submitting a grant request and application. The electronic application is accessible by going to befesacommunityfund@gmail.com.

Organizations may continue to submit written narratives along with the supporting documentations.

“The board once again wishes to extend their profound appreciation to Befesa Zinc for their continued financial support to this board and fund and the local communities,” Koons said. “Without their financial funding, these projects would not be realized.”

The Befesa Community Fund, along with the Horsehead Community Development Fund, have collectively provided over $3.46 million dollars to more than 150 organizations since 1990, Koons said.