You can find heroes right in your own backyard.

That's the idea Mauch Chunk Trust Bank adheres to in its "Community Heroes" program.For over a decade, the local business has been honoring those who go a step above to volunteer in their communities. This year's recipients of the award are Jeffrey P. Bowe, Tamaqua; John P. McArdle, Nesquehoning; Maureen Donovan, Tamaqua; and Horace "Nick" Hawkey, Kunkletown. All were revealed at Mauch Chunk Trust's customer appreciation day at its Jim Thorpe location."We're a part of this community, so it's part of our responsibility is to make the community better, make it stronger and by doing it, that comes back and benefits us," said Patrick Reilly, president and chief executive officer of Mauch Chunk Trust."Our philosophy is to try to make customers successful, the community successful and invest our efforts in that way. So for us, it's just natural."Each honoree is involved in at least nine different community activities and was able to choose a charity to receive $200, courtesy of Mauch Chunk Trust.Different organizations around the area are asked to nominate someone that they feel deserves to be recognized, then a panel of judges evaluates the list of nominees and chooses the four they feel are most deserving.Donovan, who has been involved with 21 different volunteer organizations, has always found time for volunteerism and encourages others to do the same."If you have children, get involved in what they're doing. Volunteer at the school, volunteer for their sports teams," she said. "At every stage in your life there are different things that you have an opportunity to be involved."McArdle has split his time between many organizations, but focuses his time on his local fire department. He's noticed a recent drop in volunteers and is putting an effort into gaining more."It's always a good feeling," McArdle said. "It may only take a couple of hours, maybe just going to a park and cleaning up debris and things like that, but certainly we'd like to have more volunteers, especially the fire departments across Carbon County."Mauch Chunk Trust will hold a formal banquet for the honorees on June 30 at the Mahoning Valley Country Club.Information can be found by visiting mauchchunktrust.com or calling 570-325-BANK (2265).