Published December 19. 2025 01:37PM
Seventy children in the Panther Valley School District won’t have to worry about staying warm on cold mornings headed to school thanks to a generous donation.
The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors’ Association donated 70 coats to the district, keeping the tradition of the Carbon County Realtors group alive in the Panther Valley, said CEO Justin Porembo.
Every year, the group comes up with $1,000 or more of winter gear to help needy families in the Panther Valley, because they know the challenges families face in the coal region communities, he said.
The cause is especially dear to Porembo, and association President Michael Bernadyn, who went to school at Panther Valley and Tamaqua area, respectively, and want to give back to the community.
— Kelly Monitz Socha
Students from Kayla Stanek’s third-grade class at Panther Valley Elementary hold some of the winter coats donated by the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors’ Association this week. Standing from left, front row, are: Rosannie Rodriguez, Daniel Perron-Paglione, Aiden Sprow, Yainailz Galarza Garcia, Bliss Perry, Harper Lorah, Amelia Taschler, Lincoln Klitsch, Abigail Garcia Rivera, Emmaliz Garcia Rivera, Isaac Hargett, John Uher, Zkie Geary; and back row: Robert Palazzo, Panther Valley Curriculum, Student and Community Services supervisor; Michael Bernadyn, association president; Justin Porembo, association CEO; Superintendent Dave McAndrew; and Kayla Stanek, teacher. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO