The Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation presented a $10,000 donation to the Carbon County Emergency Operations & Training Center in Nesquehoning on Wednesday.

Carbon County Sheriff Daniel G. Zeigler said the facility is essential for training local fire, police and emergency medical services personnel.

Brian Hawk, a trustee with the Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation, said the funds were raised during its 10th annual golf tournament at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville, in June.

He said money raised by the annual tournament is donated to various nonprofit organizations each year.

The check presentation occurred at the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency headquarters, located next to the center. Other trustees of the foundation who attended the presentation were Becky Zerfuss-Hawk and Jay Llewellyn.

Representing the board of directors of the Emergency Operations & Training Center were Wayne Nothstein, Carbon County commissioner and active firefighter; Zack Gilbert, EMA director; Matt Ruch, representing the EMS; Ziegler, Tim Kromer, Palmerton Police Department; Bruce Berger, Penn Forest Fire Department; Rory Koons, Aquashicola Fire Department; Joseph Greco, Lansford Fire Chief; and John McArdle, Nesquehoning Fire Chief.

Nothstein offered a history of the training center to the Foundation members.

Nothstein said the present facility opened in 2022. It includes a 55-foot-tall burn tower and observation center that spans more than 9,000 square feet of training space.

The four-story structure features burn rooms and various layouts on each floor, giving Carbon County’s emergency responders realistic scenarios for critical, lifesaving training.

Plans for the state-of-the-art center began back in 2008 in collaboration with Carbon County Emergency Services. The goal, according to Nothstein, was to create a local facility where volunteer firefighters and other first responders could receive high-quality training without traveling long distances — and often at little to no cost.

“This facility is going to provide invaluable opportunities for fire, police, emergency medical services and emergency management members throughout Carbon County and our neighboring communities,” Nothstein said.

The Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation, founded in 2015 by a group of friends who simply wanted to find a fun way to give back to their community, has since raised funds for nearly two dozen nonprofit organizations across Carbon County and surrounding areas.

In addition to the annual golf tournament, the foundation raises money by selling soup at the Heritage Festival at Mauch Chunk Lake Park every September, producing a Christmas show with local musical organizations, such as 40 Story Radio Tower and Free Range Folk, at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in December, and organizing fundraisers for local families facing unexpected tragedies.

The foundation’s board includes Mark Donnelly, Brian Hawk, Meredith Koons, Jay Llewellyn, Harry Pry, Kevin Ruch and Rebecca Zerfuss-Hawk.

“This donation is especially meaningful in our 10th year,” Koons said. “We’re proud to support such an important resource for our region’s first responders, many of whom are volunteers who dedicate themselves to keeping our communities safe every single day.

“I’d also be remiss if I didn’t give credit to the incredible tribe of volunteers who help us behind the scenes at every single event.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we’ve done the past decade. It truly takes a village.”

For more information about the Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation and its upcoming events, visit its Facebook page or catch members at the Mauch Chunk Lake Park Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20 where proceeds will go toward providing local veterans with a free meal.