A spring basket spectacular fundraising project sponsored by the Palmerton Concourse Club gives back to the community.

Monies raised this year from the event totaled more than $9,000. Breaking the goal set and making it the most the club has ever raised in the 17 years the annual spring fundraiser has been in existence.Area fire Companies, library, Memorial Park Pool, United Veterans Organizations and many volunteer originations were just some of the grateful 27 recipients of the 2017 donations."We enjoy this time of the year because we get to hand out checks to our community," said Lisa Snell Kern, Palmerton Concourse Club president.Jeff Lutz of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society explained what his organization does. "We are a small group from the Sacred Heart Church in Palmerton. We help the needy. We have a food panty and help ones who have financial problems by example paying their electric bill or heat bill to help them get through hard times."Diane Danielson of the Palmerton Area Library thanked the group and said the check would be used to help pay for a new roof on the library.Susie DeMara of Care Net of Carbon County explained how the organization works. They have two facilities in Carbon County. Parenting classes, anger management and helping with abandoned mothers with babies are just a few of the many areas the organization works with. It is all confidential. Care Net's check will be used for structural repairs in the Leighton facility.Palmerton Concourse Club President Lisa Snell Kern received a check for the club's Presidents Project. Her endeavor is having summer movies in the park for the Palmerton community to enjoy.Alice Kline from Turn to Us Inc. said a few words about her organization. "We assist people with chronic illness. We help with… emotional support along with a lot more." The mission of Turn To Us is to advocate for individuals and their families who are experiencing the impact of both major and chronic illnesses by offering personalized assistance and connection to available resources in a compassionate and hopeful environment.Those receiving a donation and accepting for their organization were, Palmerton Area Library, Diane Danielson; Palmerton Memorial Park, Larry Arner; Domestic Violence, Amanda Kroenig; Palmerton Historical Society, Bill Smelas; CACPAC, Bonnie Green; Palmerton Municipal Fire Co., Jason Behler; West End Fire Co, No. 2, Steve Riggio; Aquashicola Fire Co., Bill George; Towamensing Fire Co., Gary Anthony; Bowmanstown Fire Co., Mike Spirana; Palmerton Area Recreation Committee, Pam Andrews; Palmerton Band, Joe Plechavy; St. Vincent DePaul Society, Jeff Lutz; Carbon County Special Olympics, Christine Rodrigues; Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Donna Gasser; Breast Cancer Research and PA Breast Cancer Coalition, Marge Porambo; Palmerton Bandstand Committee, Matta Curran; Meals on Wheels, Becky Steigerwalt; Care Net of Carbon County, Susie DeMara; Family Promise, Natalie Bojko; Friends of the Park, Joanne Kercsmar; Turn to Us Inc., Alice Kline; President's Project (Palmerton Concourse Club), Lisa Snell Kern; Palmerton United Veterans Organization (Palmerton Veterans Memorial), Ed Moyer; and Carbon County Environmental Education Center, Jeannie Carl.Since 2001 the club has given back to the community $114,562.17.The Palmerton Concourse Club has approximately 125 members and has just celebrated 102 years as a club in May.