Pennsylvania Bank Honors 4 Volunteers as Community Heroes

Carolyn Long never imagined that saying "OK" to help at a food pantry in the early 1990s would turn into a 30-year commitment to feeding her neighbors. Now, as coordinator of Trinity Food Pantry in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, she serves 1,000 people every month.

On Friday, Mauch Chunk Trust Bank named Long one of four Community Heroes during its 25th annual Community Appreciation Day celebration. She joins 128 other volunteers the bank has recognized since starting the program in 2002.

Long transformed the pantry during COVID by switching to a drive-through model that's become permanent. The change lets her team serve people faster and provide more food, plus special touches like shampoo and flowers for Mother's Day.

"We've had several people come in and say, 'I've never done this before, and I don't know what to do,'" Long said. "That's why we're there."

Tom Lager, 76, has spent 54 years volunteering across multiple organizations. He joined Diligent Fire Company No. 3 in 1970 and still serves as an active EMT with the Lehighton Ambulance Association.

Lager sees the recognition as a chance to inspire others during America's 250th anniversary year. "If he did it, so can I," he hopes people will think when they see the story.

Dan Odorizzi has spent five years with the Tamaqua Hunger Campaign and helps coordinate Spirit of Christmas, an annual effort that decorates downtown Tamaqua. He credits a previous Community Hero award winner, Judy Hoppes, with pulling him deeper into volunteer work.

The fourth honoree, Kathy Goff, rounds out this year's class of volunteers who make Carbon County stronger through countless hours of service.

Why This Inspires

These four volunteers represent something powerful: ordinary people choosing to show up year after year. Long has been helping at the food pantry for three decades. Lager has served his community for over half a century. They didn't wait for permission or special skills. They just said yes and kept showing up.

Their impact reaches beyond the immediate help they provide. Long has become the only person some elderly clients talk to all week. Lager's example might convince someone to join their local fire department. Odorizzi proves that one person encouraging another creates a chain reaction of good.

All four Community Heroes will share their stories at a celebration banquet on June 25 at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall. Their message is simple: if they can make a difference, so can you.