Pamela Handwerk, of Salisbury Township, recently received recognition of her volunteer efforts with the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown when the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services tapped her as an Unsung Hero.

The Unsung Hero designation recognizes volunteer work of older Americans.

The Boys and Girls Club of Allentown nominated Handwerk for the honor in a nomination letter.

“Pam spent hundreds of volunteer hours assisting our organization in many capacities while working a very demanding, full-time job at Air Products & Chemicals,” nominators noted in their letter.

Handwerk helped shepherd the creation of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, formerly two distinct entities, into its current form. Handwerk also served as board president of the club from 2007 to 2009. She is currently serves the group as a BGCA Foundation Board member.

In addition to her work with the BCGA, Handwerk also serves on the boards of the United Way and Hispanic American Organization and volunteers for Meals on Wheels. She is a past board president for Mayfair arts festival.

“Three characteristics that come to mind when describing Pam are “dedicated”, “sincere” and “willing to always lend a hand to help others,” nominators wrote of Handwerk, adding “Pam’s dedication and hard work is really appreciated.”

Traditionally, a luncheon and program hosted by the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services honors those recognized as unsung heroes. However, pandemic restrictions suspended the luncheon and agency officials instead traveled to present honorees with citations, yard signs, flowers and balloons, according to a video from the agency linked through the agency’s web page on the Lehigh County website.