Groups to benefit from derby funds
Three community organizations in Jim Thorpe will benefit from leftover funds in the police department's fishing derby account.
Joe Schatz, Jim Thorpe police chief, said an inability to get volunteers and support led the department to stop holding the derby."We were trying to decide what we wanted to do with the money and everyone agreed the best thing to do would be to make sure it benefits the kids of Jim Thorpe," Schatz said.On Wednesday, Schatz and his fellow officers gave $500 to the Jim Thorpe Little League, $350 to the Dimmick Memorial Library and $350 to the Jim Thorpe Summer Recreation Program.Accepting the money were Rachel Hoff, Dimmick Library director; Brian Schwartz, Jim Thorpe Little League president; Randy Smith, Jim Thorpe Summer Recreation Program day camp coordinator; and Brittany Scherer, also representing the day camp."We're really grateful for the support the department has given us through the years," Schwartz said.Kids in the day camp will benefit via an end of the summer celebration at Jim Thorpe Memorial Park.Smith said the camp, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, ends Aug. 12."We're going to use the money to get a disc jockey and we'll have a karaoke contest and some dancing," Smith said. "It will be a great way for the kids to end the camp."Jim Thorpe began holding the fishing derby in 2011. It was held at the Germantown Grove.