Carbon County families struggling financially may apply for a memorial swim fund next year.

Applications for the 2023 Linda Schoenberger memorial swim fund are available through the Lehighton Area Pool Pals at https://lehightonareapoolpals.org.

Selected families will be notified in April, according to Mark Hoffman, chairman of the Lehighton Area Pool Pals.

“This fund was established to help keep the memory of lifetime Pool Pal member Linda Schoenberger alive by awarding family season passes to those families in our community with financial hardships,” Hoffman said. “Thanks to the generosity of many, the Pool Pals were able to award seven families a season ticket in 2022, allowing these families to enjoy the many benefits that our community pool offers.”

Hoffman said the Pool Pals encourage any family struggling financially to think about applying. Along with financial requirements, the committee that oversees the awarding of the family passes will look at things such as making sure the family would use the facilities of the pool, and perhaps take advantage of the swimming lessons that go with a family pass as well as that they are a resident of Carbon County.

“The Pool Pals are also eternally grateful to those organizations within our community who donated to these events or made cash contributions helping them achieve their goals,” he said. “Two major contributors over the past year to Linda’s fund were Trinity Lutheran Church in Lehighton, and Saint John’s Lutheran church in Mahoning Township.”

Hoffman said the Pool Pals are also proud that the new Trinity Lutheran Church community pavilion was officially open this year and used by patrons of the pool either to rent for a party, or just to escape the heat and rays of the sun.

“A cast iron plaque was placed on the one pillar of the pavilion thanking those who helped make this pavilion become a reality,” he said.

Hoffman said the Pool Pals have established a goal for 2023 to raise enough money to double the number of family passes they awarded this year.

He said they will raise the money through events such as Family Fun Night that was held at the pool this past July, and through upcoming events such as the Cabin Fever Dance scheduled to be held Feb. 18 at the American Legion in Lehighton.

Information on purchasing a season pass for the pool can be found on the borough’s website, or by contacting borough recreation director Tom Evans at 570-294-4532.

The Lehighton Area Pool Pals are a nonprofit that normally meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in borough hall. New members, guests and feedback are always welcome.

For more information, follow them on Facebook, or visit them at their new and improved website, https://lehightonareapoolpals.org/