After a two-year absence due to the COVID pandemic, Horsehead Community Development Fund Board members invited grant recipients of the fall allocation to a check presentation.

Horsehead Community Development Fund Chairman James Wimmer welcomed and introduced the awardees and board members on Wednesday at the Palmerton Area Library.

Before he presented the checks, Wimmer stated that the grants, based on need, good will and civic improvement, assist organizations throughout our area to enhance their communities.

A total of $20,750 in financial assistance was awarded to eight local organizations, and a representative of each organization briefly explained the need and project of his/her respective group.

Many of the organizations represented are staffed by volunteers who work hard at providing services and programs which the HCDF Board wishes to recognize and assist with financial aid.

Grants were awarded to the following:

• Palmerton Borough for park maintenance, represented by Councilman Richard Nothstein.

• Carbon County Environmental Education Center for a blood analyzer to analyze lead in the blood of injured Bald Eagles and other birds, represented by Jeannie Carl.

• Lehigh Gap Nature Center for educational programs to area students, represented by Chad Schwartz,

• Palmerton Cat Project for their continuing efforts to rescue, treat, and adopt cats in the Palmerton and surrounding area, as their group has assisted over 1,100 cats since their inception, represented by Barb Greenzweig.

• Palmerton Memorial Park Association for repairs to the Palmerton Pool, which recently celebrated 75 years of operation, represented by PMPA board member and Palmerton Mayor Don Herrmann.

• Slatington Public Library for repairs to its building and elevator project, represented by Lynne Fedorcha.

• Walnutport Playground Association for fencing at the community ballfield, represented by Bob Treskot.

• Carbon County Fair Association for the purchase of bleachers at the fairgrounds, represented by Kristen Simmons, and 4-H member Daphne Gowin.

Since 1990 when the fund was organized, HCDF has awarded over $3.36 million dollars to local organizations, clubs, and programs.

Befesa, the current operator of the Palmerton facility, is providing the funding to the HCDF for continued distribution.

Representing Befesa was Joe Falko, safety, health, and environmental director. Wimmer expressed the board’s gratitude to Befesa for their generosity and financial assistance.

Wimmer also thanked the group for its hard work, and hopes the board can continue to support these important causes and organizations.

He also lamented the death of two long time board members, Bill Smelas and John Kisthardt, who served the board with both pride and dignity.

The next grant review will be held on May 9, 2023.

Interested organizations may submit requests to P.O. Box 351, Palmerton Pa. 18071 at least 30 days prior to that meeting.