Three community members were added to the Mauch Chunk Trust Company's wall of 100 recognized volunteers Thursday night.

Lisa Vavra Hiles, Dr. Clem McGinley and Maureen Foster, were honored in Jim Thorpe during the 18th annual Community Heroes Award Banquet at Dean Anthony's on North Street.Patrick Reilly, president and CEO of MCT, took the podium to announce this year's recipients, recognize former heroes and draw attention to the hardworking staff of the trust company."We began our Hero Program in 2000 by honoring 13 people from the Carbon County community who we felt deserved to be called community heroes," he said.Reilly credited MCT staff member Deb Bamford for developing the program and implementing the ceremony almost two decades ago calling her the "heart and soul," of the program.The CEO also asked those in attendance to observe a moment of silence for the 21 heroes that have since passed away, including selection committee member and honoree in 2000, Randy Smith."He played a very important role in the selection of most of our heroes," he said.Smith nominated McGinley for the award."This year we received 22 nominations and our committee had the difficult task of narrowing it down to our three," he said.Reilly said the committee selects "individuals in our community who volunteer and dedicate their time and talents to various local charities and organizations and who we believe should be recognized for these efforts."The three honorees, Hiles, McGinley and Foster, received engraved plaques, $200 toward a charity of their choice and citations from legislators.Maureen FosterReilly introduced the nominees, highlighting several of their accomplishments."In 2006, Maureen was part of a group of local volunteers that organized the Carbon County Special Olympics Management Team. She has held a number of volunteer positions within that organization since its inception. Maureen was recognized as the 'Special Olympics' Manager of the Year in Pennsylvania in 2013. This program empowers athletes to become involved as community leaders," he said.In addition Foster is a member of several local organizations including Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians of Carbon County, along with a local group of bike riders that participate in the annual Irish Pub Tour de Shore, a 65-mile bike ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City called "The Jim Thorpers."Foster's donation will be split between both the Carbon County Special Olympics and Irish Pub Children's Foundation."Carbon was one of only two counties in the state without a Special Olympics program. The program is a life-changing movement of people helping people. Families and communities are strengthened by it," she said."I describe the Special Olympics in one word, 'Joy,' " she said before accepting her plaque.Lisa Vavra HilesReilly next called Hiles to the podium."Lisa had volunteering instilled in her at a very young age by her parents. Lisa's biggest volunteer involvement is through the American Cancer Society. She has been involved in one way or another since 1992. During the annual cancer telethon. She helps to organize the sponsorships for Lansford's Zoostock and 'Putt and Brew.' She was a member of the Panther Valley Foundation from 2005-11 which raised money to fund academic programs at Panther Valley School District. Lisa is a 10-year member of the Black Diamond Parrothead Club, an organization raising money for local charities," he said."Lisa's donation will be given to the American Cancer Society," Reilly said.Hiles thanked the heroes who had come before her along with her fellow two honorees Thursday night."It was not an easy yes or no to accept this award. I honestly started feeling guilty and selfish. I thought about all the people I know who've donated thousands of hours," she said.She quoted her 90-year-old father who, "gets us through the worst of times and parties with us in the best of times, 'If you make friends with every person you meet, you'll never have an enemy in the world,' " she said.Dr. Clem McGinleyReilly highlighted Dr. Clem McGinley's accomplishments and announced his donation is to be given to Jim Thorpe Rotary Charitable Fund."Clem has been an active volunteer for approximately 50 years. As a board certified physician in family and sports medicine, he has used those talents in his volunteer activities throughout the years. During his time as a physician, he made many home visits to patients who could not come to the office, often without charging them. Clem has also been a member of numerous local civic organizations over the years. He has been a member of the Jim Thorpe Rotary since 2007 and has served as vice president, president and currently as secretary," said Reilly.McGinley said, "When one of my friends ask how I got picked, I said, 'They had two gorgeous women and needed an ugly old guy to balance it out,'" he said, receiving a laugh from the audience.He thanked his longtime friend Randy Smith for the nomination, saying, "He may not be here in person but I thank him from the bottom of my heart."McGinley also showed gratitude to his friends and family who were in the audience."I just want to say my children have grown to be exemplary individuals. I think their mother raised them really well," he said.The retired doctor then turned to his wife, Sophia, saying, "My greatest inspiration and best friend of 50 years, and wife for 45 years, she stood with me through thick and thin. Without her I never would've made it through medical school, residency and 33 years of practice. She has always been my guiding light. I love her very much," he said.Two of the 167 supporters in the room, Marcia and Dan "Deacon" Evans, said this is the first year they attended the banquet because of their close ties to the three "heroes.""They are all dynamic people. They've all understood what needed to be done, and did it," Marcia Evans said."They really stepped up to the plate," Dan Evans added.Reilly encouraged those in the audience to consider the hardworking volunteers they may know in the community and to nominate them for 2018's banquet. Anyone wishing to nominate a community heroes can do so by visiting the MCT website and

www.mauchchunktrust.com.