In 2000 the Palmerton Concourse Club wanted to raise money for the community by organizing a spring basket extravaganza. They decided to get baskets, fill them with worthwhile items and decorate each one. They put them on display and let the public come in and purchase chances to win a basket. They added a lunch menu and a bake sale. It turned out to be a great success for the club and the Palmerton community organizations are still reaping the benefits 18 years later.

This year the Concourse Club proceeds from the spectacular totaled $9,300 to which they gave back to 27 nonprofit organizations in the Palmerton area.

Concourse President Carol Curcio welcomed everyone and gave a thank-you to all the club members who worked so hard to make the Basket Spectacular a success.

The nonprofit organizations received:

Palmerton Bandstand committee received $500. The check was accepted by Mata Curran.

Palmerton Area Library’s $1,000 check was accepted by Charles Lovelette.

Peggy Cicchinelli, Care Net of Carbon County received $150. The money will be used to help with the purchasing of new Ultra sound equipment.

Breast Cancer Research and the PA Breast Cancer Coalition each received $250 and was accepted by Joan Turko.

Friends of the Park, Palmerton received $500 and was accepted by Joann Kercsmar. The donation will be used to make improvements to the grounds by planting flowers and working with the rose garden.

Next in line was Carbon County Family Promise with a check in the amount of $250. Jonathan Blackwell-Rodgers accepted on their behalf. The money will be used toward life skill and parenting classes for the clients.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center received $150 and was accepted by Dan Kunkle. The money will be put toward scholarships for area children to attend summer day camps.

CACPAC received $300 and was accepted by Bonnie Green. CACPAC runs a food pantry and clients can also get help with rent and fuel.

Chris Kegel accepted a check for $400 for the Aquashicola Fire Co. The money will be put toward keeping the equipment up to date.

The Towamensing Fire Company received $400 and was accepted by Gary Anthony. Funds will be used to help remodel the men’s bathroom.

The Palmerton Concourse Club President’s Project received $400 and was accepted by Carol Curcio.

Mike Kercsmar accepted a check in the amount of $400 for the Palmerton Municipal Fire Co. which will go toward the purchase of new equipment and keeping older equipment up to date.

Turn To Us received $150 and was accepted by Maria McGinley. The money will go toward helping area clients who have been affected by chronic illness in such as getting them rides to and from doctor visits and helping with daily activities that they cannot do while ill or recovering.

Palmerton Area Recreation Committee received $400 and was accepted by Pam Andrews. The money will go toward replenishing equipment and helping with scholarships for the children to attend the summer recreation program.

St. Vincent DePaul Society received $150 and was accepted by Jeff Lutz. The money will be used toward help with the food pantry and financial assistance to area clients.

Bill Smelas accepted a check for $150 on behalf of the Palmerton Historical Society. The money will go toward the upkeep and projects in the Little White Church.

The Palmerton United Veterans Organization received $300 and was accepted by James Hill. The money will be spent for the upkeep of the park memorial and the flag as you enter Palmerton.

Bowmanstown Fire Company received $400 and it was accepted by Mike Spairana. The donation will be spent by purchasing equipment and paying down the firehouse debt.

The Carbon County Environmental Education Center received $150 and was accepted by Jeannie Carl. The donation will be spent for medicine, housing, bedding and food for wild animals before they can hopefully be returned to the wild. The centers examines more than 500 wild birds and animals a year.

Meals on Wheels received $150 and was accepted by Carol Papay. The donations will help with the expenses of the program.

“We are so grateful for our donations. We have no government funding, and this is how we can continue to operate. So we are very thankful for any donations that come our way,” said Becky Steigerwalt, Palmerton Meals on Wheels member. Steigerwalt echoed the thoughts of all the recipients present.

The West End Fire Company received $400 and was accepted by James Brown. The funds will be used to update equipment.

Those organizations that received a donation but were not present were Domestic Violence in the amount of $400; Palmerton Memorial Park, $1,000; Palmerton Band, $400; and the Special Olympics received $200.

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmerton was also given $100 for the use of their building.

Concourse Ways and Means Committee Co-Chairwoman Carol Papay closed the annual program by adding a thank-you to all who came, “This money wouldn’t do us any good if we didn’t have all you fine organizations to give it to.”

Next on the agenda for the club are the Summer Concerts in the Park at 7 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 19. The free concerts sponsored by the club are held in the Palmerton Borough Park.