Various organizations in and around the Palmerton area have been rewarded for their exemplary work in the community.

The groups were able to reap the fruits of their labor when the Horsehead Community Development Fund distributed donations at its semiannual meeting and presentation held at the Palmerton Area Library.Chairman James Wimmer said the Horsehead Community Development Fund has been in existence for 25 years.In that time, they've given out $3,057,820."We try and meet everybody's needs," Wimmer said. "We hope that you will continue to do the fine job you do in the community."Wimmer said the most recent awards given out total $33,300."That helps a lot of people," he said. "We enjoy doing it, and appreciate all the work you do."Awards were distributed to Palmerton Borough, for park maintenance and tot lot replacement; Palmerton Community Band, for summer concerts; Palmerton Area Historical Society, for a variety of maintenance projects; Lehigh Gap Nature Center, for permanent nature trail signs, education nature programs for local students; Lehighton Band, for summer concert expenses; and the Palmerton Area Basketball training program, for summer basketball camp; Palmerton Area Recreation Commission, for its summer recreation program; Concourse Club Art Show, for cost of annual art show; Palmerton Bloodmobile, for underwriting the cost of blood drives; Palmerton Meals on Wheels, toward the cost of the program;Bowmanstown/Palmerton Baseball/Softball Association, for the Challenge Grant and uniforms; Carbon County Fair Association, for the Challenge Grant and livestock pens; and Palmerton Area Library Association, for building and wall repairs.