The Lehigh Valley chapter of the Travelers Protective Association of America Post L held its annual Altruism Award banquet event April 14 at Northampton Banquet and Event Center, 1601 Laubach Ave.

The fraternal benefit society honored select students from 15 local high schools to receive the award for their kind, courageous and giving personalities.

The TPA Post L was established in 1882 and originally benefited traveling salesmen across America. Over time, the society extended its membership to all persons who qualified as preferred risks and began to implement community outreach programs, such as the famous Child Accident Prevention Week, seen across the nation’s emergency responder units.

The society has also organized scholarships that would aim to assist the members in need, such as the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Scholarship Fund. Established in 1975, the fund intended to serve those who had a hearing deficiency but lacked proper resources. Today, the fund has gone on to assist thousands of members gain access to the hearing devices and specialized treatment they lacked.

During the banquet, Patricia Palencar, TPA secretary Lehigh Valley chapter, explained the students receiving the Altruism Award would be given a certificate and a $100 check from President Donald D. Schwartz and that funds came from the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Scholarship Fund.

The students also received a small speech from their nominator explaining what led to their nomination.

Duane Milnes, of Northampton Area High School, was nominated to receive the Altruism Award by Assistant Principal Janelle Schaeffer for his outstanding ability to provide for his community and courageous acts of volunteerism.

Milnes became EMT certified while in high school and volunteers with Northampton Regional EMS and Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Company. When he is not busy attending to those in need, he is playing on the boys’ volleyball team, working on language skills with the German Club and preparing for his future as a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America.

Unfortunately, due to a family emergency, Milnes was out of town during the ceremony, and the award was accepted on his behalf by Schaeffer. Although he was absent, Schaeffer made sure the whole room knew how special he is.

Milnes is committed to Bloomsburg University and has been accepted into its nursing program. He plans on becoming a registered nurse anesthetist or a trauma nurse practitioner and is considering joining the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

The students honored at the banquet reminded the room that simple acts of kindness touch the hearts of many and create impactful and inspiring change within the community. The room was humbled by the courageous acts performed by high school students and many left feeling honored to know that strong, genuine characters would go on to be the next societal generation to build and create a better tomorrow.