Carbon County Education Association gathered recently to honor recipients of the Friend of Education awards. Local associations nominated and selected honorees by school district, and the county association also honored a countywide recipient.

Carbon Career and Technical Institute association honored Jim Thorpe Area School District School Board Director, Wilmer P. Redline Jr. He also serves on the Carbon County Vocational Technical Authority Board and the Lehigh Carbon Community College board of trustees. He was not present at the event because he was celebrating his son’s wedding in Jamaica.

Palmerton EA honored Raising the House. Since its formation six years ago, Raising the House has donated about $60,000 to students and their families in the Palmerton Area School District. This includes partnerships with other organizations. Raise the House provided 100 new backpacks filled with school supplies for students, money for families to purchase groceries for holiday meals and Christmas gifts, funds for warm winter clothing for students in need, and a $500 scholarship awarded to a graduating senior from Palmerton High School.

Panther Valley EA honored Kerri Quick, who works for St. Luke’s and is partnering with Panther Valley School District. She has dedicated herself to working in the field of human service and social work by previously working for Kidspeace, Children and Youth Services, and the Tamaqua Area School District.

Weatherly EA honored Barbara Sipler, who taught for 43 years. Sipler was the recipient of the PEARL Award, which is given to women in the Hazleton Area who demonstrate Professionalism, Excellence, Achievement, Role model/Responsibility, and Leadership. Barb serves on the Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association board of directors.

Carbon County EA honored Family Promise of Carbon County, a public charity whose mission is to provide temporary shelter, meals, and fellowship in order to meet the basic needs of families without permanent housing. Family Promise of Carbon County was formed in 2009 and served 67 people (mostly school aged children) in 2017.

Carbon County Education Association represents about 680 educators and school employees in Carbon County school districts.