The Palmerton Auxiliary recently presented a $30,000 check to St. Luke’s University Health Network for the Carbon Campus Capital Fund.

Auxiliary President Marj Federanich and treasurer Louise Koons presented a check on July 29 that was accepted by St. Luke’s Lehighton Carbon President John Nespoli and St. Luke’s Carbon Lehighton board of directors, Carbon County Judge Steven Serfass, at the worksite location of the St. Luke’s Carbon Campus.

The funds from the Palmerton Auxiliary donation will be used to advance the development of the new St. Luke’s Hospital in Franklin Township, projected to open in early 2022.

“The new facility will include round-the-clock, in-house critical care coverage and trauma care capabilities; local patients will no longer need to be transferred out-of-area to receive this level of care,” said Nespoli, who serves as president of the St. Luke’s Lehighton and Carbon campuses.

“The Palmerton Auxiliary is a valued partner in our shared goal to build a comprehensive health care network in Carbon County that will ensure our residents can receive quality care close to home. We’re very grateful to President Federanich and Treasurer Koons, who have played an outstanding leadership role in making this very generous gift happen.”