Lehigh Valley Press-Pencor Services has reason to be proud of its newspaper carriers.

Richard Hunsicker, 77, a carrier for the East Penn Press, was awarded third place in the senior category and Kelsy Grimm, 17, a carrier for the Parkland Press, was awarded a fifth place in youth carrier category in the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association (PNA) 2012 Newspaper Carrier of the Year competition.

Hunsicker has been a carrier for the East Penn Press in Emmaus for five years. Grimm has been a carrier for the Parkland Press for the seven years.

Hunsicker and Grimm were presented their awards at the 2012 Pennsylvania Newspaper Association (PNA) "Luncheon of Champions" at Hershey Country Club, Hershey. Awards were presented by PNA Chairman Bridget Vilenica.

Hunsicker was nominated by some of his 100 weekly customers who noted his personal touches. Not only does he deliver the paper between each customer's door, he also picks up any other local papers and places them between the doors, too.

He feels it is his responsibility to deliver the papers on time and in a safe manner. He also takes note that if anything looks suspicious with one of his customers he contacts authorities, which he has done in the past on many occasions.

"I enjoy the exercise," said Hunsicker. "I enjoy meeting people. My doctor said I should keep my carrier job because it is good for my arthritis." In his spare time, he is part of the local Crime Watch.

Hunsicker began his carrier career 15 years ago. He said that each week he samples 10 papers to increase his customer base.

"It was an honor to be selected for this award," said Hunsicker. "It's the customer service that makes the difference."

Grimm was nominated by some of her 50 weekly Parkland Press customers because of her dedication to her customers.

Grimm said that she became a carrier because she was young and shy and thought that the job was a good way to learn how to communicate better with people and become more responsible.

Grimm said that she always puts the papers on her customers' doorsteps or between the door and when weather is a threat to the readability of the paper, she always puts the papers in plastic bags.

Her customers report that she is always pleasant and she delivers with a smile.

"I am not really a leader," said Grimm. "I think of myself more as a dependable person who follows instruction. I do what is asked of me and follow the rules given by the Press."

Grimm likes to play softball, read, run, travel and take photographs and write.

Grimm said that she has been saving the money she earned as a carrier to help pay for college next year.

Grimm, a senior at Parkland High School, is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Yearbook, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and played junior varsity and varsity softball team. She also attained the Spanish National Honor Society and High Honor Roll.

Hunsicker was awarded $100 and both he and Grimm were presented with Hershey Park passes.

Kathy Carpenter, TIMES NEWS circulation supervisor, said, "We are proud of our carriers. We are proud of their dedication and service to our customers by delivering their papers in a timely manner."

In addition to printing the six-day daily afternoon TIMES NEWS newspaper for thousands of customers, Pencor offers the eight Lehigh Valley Press weekly newspapers (East Penn, Salisbury, Parkland, Northwestern, Whitehall-Coplay, Catasauqua, Northampton and Bethlehem Press), which also are printed at the TN Printing complex in Lehighton.

For 54 years, the PNA Foundation's Newspaper Carrier of the Year contest has helped Pennsylvania newspapers recognize the exemplary performance of newspaper carriers.