Judy Borger knows about the fulfillment that comes from volunteering.

After working and living out of the area for a number of years, Borger moved to Palmerton in 2008 to be closer to her family.

“I was accustomed to volunteering, and wanted to continue to volunteer here in Palmerton,” Borger said. “I was looking for service organizations that focused on giving back to the community and, having just moved back to the area, was also interested in building new friendships and new connections in our community.”

“Both the Palmerton Lions Club and the Concourse Club proved to be what I was looking for.”

Borger has been a member of the Lions Club for about 13 years. The Lions motto is “We Serve” and members give their time, energy, and resources to serve their community.

She said that as an organization, Lions focus on five causes - vision, hunger, environment, diabetes and childhood cancer. They collect glasses that are distributed around the world, give assistance to people who can’t afford glasses and volunteer for Cancer Society events.

In a few weeks the Palmerton Lions Club will hold its annual “Community Spirit Night” where it will make donations to local nonprofit organizations and also say thank you to health care providers by treating them to ice cream.

The Lions hold fundraisers year round, selling their famous waffles and ice cream at the Carbon County Fair and the Palmerton Festival, and sponsoring bingo on Tuesday evenings at the Towamensing Fire House.

Until recently, Borger was a Palmerton Lion representative on the Carbon County Lions/Lioness Fair Board.

“Few people realize the work that goes on all year long to have a successful fair,” she said.

New venture

She resigned her seat earlier this year to make time for a new community event a few of her quilting friends are organizing called “Airing of the Quilts.”

“We literally plan to turn Palmerton into one big quilt show (next year around this time),” she said. “While it will be an opportunity for us quilters to showcase our quilts and keep the craft alive and active, it is also meant to bring people into our town’s shops and restaurants.”

An active member of the Concourse Club since 2010, Borger has co-chaired the Ways and Means Committee for six years and is now the president of the active organization.

Borger said the club places an emphasis on community projects, and has provided support to the Palmerton Library, the Memorial Park, Meals on Wheels, CAC-PAC, veterans, fire companies and agencies to protect women from domestic violence.

The club provides scholarships for high school seniors and funds five Guiding Star awards to high school senior girls who display academic excellence and community involvement.

The club also assists Palmerton borough to maintain its borough park.

In 1989, members championed the restoration of the bandstand and provided funding for improved walkways, new lighting, tree replacement and new benches.

Members planted and tend to the rose garden and plant flowers in the circular garden.

The club organizes the popular Summer Concerts in the Park Series, sponsors the Community Movie In the Park each summer and the Art Show held during the Palmerton Festival.

Fundraisers includes the bean soup sale and Christmas House Tour, Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Day managing the amusement ride ticket booth during the Palmerton Festival and hosting a bake sale during Christmas in the Park.

The group’s biggest event is the Basket Spectacular in October. Since its inception in 2000, the group has raised more than $150,000 to support the community.

“There are so many organizations, individuals and causes out there that need assistance,” Borger said. “It may sound trite, but I volunteer because it makes me feel good to be able to help. I am a firm believer that doing good, in big ways or small, not only feels good, but also does us good.

“There have even been studies that have shown that volunteering improves our happiness, health and sense of well-being and decreases symptoms of depression. It is also my way of giving back to my community.”

“I think all of us have needed a helping hand at times, and volunteering is a way to help and give back,” she said. “And another real plus is that I’ve built new friendships through volunteering that will last a lifetime.”

Need for volunteers

Borger said she is concerned about how it is difficult to find volunteers.

The Carbon Veterans Affairs office is seeking help for programs. A number of the nonprofit organizations that participate in the Palmerton Festival are in need of volunteers for the weekend.

A local church had to give up its food stand at the Carbon County Fair because some members were getting older and just couldn’t continue without new volunteers to assist.

“When this happens, there is a ripple effect,” she said.

Borger said that may mean the church has fewer resources to help others.

“Through volunteering, you can connect to your community and make it an even better place,” she said. “You don’t need to belong to an organization or commit to many, many hours of service if that doesn’t work for you. Helping with the smallest of tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, the environment and organizations in need.”

Volunteering can provide a sense of accomplishment and even bring experience for a full-time job.

Helping at an animal shelter, for example, could lead to a job in a veterinary clinic.

“We live in a busy, busy society, parents and kids alike,” she said. She suggested volunteering as a family.

The Local Kids for the Community has helped in the borough park. “Kudos for their efforts to collect food and warm clothes for locals in need,” Borger said.

“Hopefully the kids will continue to volunteer throughout their lives. We sure need them.”