The Panther Valley Irish American Association continued its annual tradition of helping local charitable organizations around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.

This year, the PVIAA donated a total of $2,000, with $400 going to each of the following groups: the Nesquehoning Food Bank, the Lansford Food Pantry, the Salvation Army of Tamaqua, the St. Vincent DePaul Society of the Panther Valley, and the Summit Hill Food Pantry.

The association also supports the annual American Cancer Society telethon in the spring.

In addition to those longtime contributions, the PVIAA has also started a scholarship award for two graduating Panther Valley students with Irish lineage and high academic achievements.

These awards are $100 each and will be given annually at the Panther Valley High School Awards Night at the end of the school year. The inaugural winners from the Class of 2024 were Courtney Rickert and Riley McArdle.

For more information about these awards, interested students can reach out to the PVHS guidance department in the spring.

This year’s annual Irish American Shamrock Award banquet will be held on March 16. More information about the honoree and tickets for the event will be announced in coming weeks.