“Volunteers are the backbone of our community, the backbone of the organizations,” is how Patrick Reilly, president and CEO of the Mauch Chunk Trust Company explains why the bank has been presenting the Hometown Hero Awards to individuals for the past 25 years.

Including the 2026 recipients, the award has been presented to 132 men and women. Each year, MCT chooses four recipients among the many nominations they receive.

The four Heroes of 2026 were honored at a banquet Thursday night at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe. Family members, friends, and fellow volunteers attended, along with some of the past award recipients, and members of the public.

The four recipients of the award were: Carolyn Long, Lehighton; Dan Odorizzi, Tamaqua; Tom Lager, Jim Thorpe; and Kathy Goff, Jim Thorpe. Each one received a glass award, a citation, and Mauch Chunk Trust Company donated $200 to a charity of the recipients’ choosing.

Carolyn Long was honored for her work at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lehighton, which includes leading the Trinity Food Pantry, coordinating food distribution and volunteer efforts for families in need, chairing Trinity’s Social Ministry Committee and community outreach programs, crochets for the Prayer Shawl ministry, and hosts Sunday Church Fellowship gatherings.

“It warms our hearts to be able to do this,” Long said, “and the majority of the people are just so grateful. It’s just a wonderful service that we do, and I could not do it without the 30 volunteers that we have.”

Long’s $200 donation will go to the Lehighton Memorial Library.

Dan Odorizzi is co-chair of the Spirit of Christmas Festival in Tamaqua, leads Hunger Campaign and Dine Out for Hunger initiatives; organizes community food drives throughout Tamaqua, is a volunteer supporter at the Tamaqua Train Station and Community Art Center, assists with numerous civic and community events, and inspires volunteerism through hands-on community service.

Odorizzi was unable to attend the dinner so fellow volunteer Judy Hoppes read a thank-you letter on his behalf.

“This award is truly meaningful to me because it shows that all of our hard work in Tamaqua is being appreciated and recognized by people throughout our local community,” Hoppes read.

Odorizzi’s $200 donation will be split between the Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas festival and the Tamaqua Community Arts Center.

Tom Lager is a lifelong firefighter, forest fire responder, an EMT in Jim Thorpe, a former Red Cross First Aid & CPR Instructor; a board member of the Lehighton Ambulance Association, a former Boy Scout leader and youth mentor; a volunteer supporter at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; and had served over 40 years on the Mauch Chunk Cemetery Association Board.

“Thanks to the organizations that allowed me to volunteer,” Lager stated. “Those of you involved in volunteering; you don’t do it because you might win an award some day. You do it because it’s fun.”

Lager’s $200 donation will be divided between St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Kathy Goff was president of the St. Joseph Regional Academy of Jim Thorpe Home & School Association, led fundraising efforts supporting students and school improvements, is a board member and booster club leader for Marian Catholic High School, Hometown; a volunteer supporter of athletics, events, and student programs; is the organizer and supporter of the annual Polar Plunge fundraiser; and is an advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness initiatives.

“Volunteering has given me so much more than I could ever give back,” Goff said. “It’s brought me a lot of friends, it’s given me a purpose to do things, even when I don’t want to; and the opportunity to be a part of something that’s much bigger than myself.”

Goff’s $200 donation will be divided between the Carbon County Friends of Animals and the Carbon County Environmental Education Center.

“What began as a simple idea in 2000 has grown into one of Mauch Chunk Trust Company’s most meaningful traditions,” Reilly said. “For 25 years, this program has celebrated the volunteers, mentors, leaders, and neighbors who strengthened our communities through acts of service, compassion, and generosity.”

The bank is accepting nominations for the 2027 Community Hero awards. Visit www.mct.bank/heroes/ to see past winners, criteria, and to make a nomination.