May 18 was no ordinary day for 17 very extraordinary people.

Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services organized the 22nd annual “Tribute to Unsung Heroes” award presentation. This event honored 17 older Lehigh County residents who displayed exceptional generosity with their time and talents to enhance the lives of others throughout their communities.

In 1965 then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Older Americans Act, declaring May Older American Month. Lehigh County has celebrated this event annually for 22 years.

The theme for this year’s nominees was “Age My Way.”

Guests were welcomed by Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services, Executive Director, Clayton Reed Jr. Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Aging Robert Torres gave opening remarks. Both men presented certificates and citations to each recipient.

Area recipients include:

Judy Burkhardt, of Lower Macungie Township. Over the course of her volunteering, Burkhardt has volunteered at several locations. She began teaching Sunday school at her local church, and eventually began to share her love of music by playing the piano for church and singing in the choir. With this love of music, she then began to volunteer at Cedarbrook to involve the residents in a local program titled “Music Makers.” She is a dedicated volunteer who has delivered meals and provided thoughtful conversation to Meals on Wheels recipients.

Nancy Civitts, of Upper Milford Township. Civitts is a lady of many talents. After retiring from Northwestern Lehigh School District, she actively uses her time to be involved in the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees by using her creativity to send cards and small gifts to brighten the lives of members who are homebound several times a year or those in need of some happiness. She is also actively involved in her faith, at her church and as a member and of the board of directors at the Dillingersville School House. In her spare time, she also has a love of antique dolls and babysitting her grandchildren.

Mark Fronheiser, of Lower Macungie Township. Fronheiser has given the gift of life to several community and nationwide members through his donations of blood and platelets to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center. He has donated over 100 gallons of blood and continues to do so daily as he continues to work as well. He is employed as an electrician and donating blood is part of his routine. We thank his generosity and perseverance to donate as only a small percentage of able-bodied people choose to donate.

Phillip Jackson, of Lower Milford Township. Jackson has been an active member of The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Valley Youth House and the Allentown Symphony Association. He has been on several boards for each association, fulfilling elite roles such as president and serving as the representative of the national level of Pennsylvania’s Boys & Girls Club of America. He also does daily maintenance activities in the various areas of his membership to help the places look their best. He helps with strategic planning and assists with tasks from the ground up and he is appreciated for all that he does to help each organization.

Margie Peterson, of Emmaus. Peterson is a passionate family member who stepped in years ago and continues to provide support to our family. She helped fundraise $5,000 in scholarship money to the Baum School of Art for a deceased family member. She was a former reporter and columnist for the local paper and is trying to find justice for a man she believes is wrongly convicted to prison. In her younger years, her actions of gratitude and donation were instilled in her children at an early age. She is publishing a children’s book about recycling items and giving to others. She is kind and has a way of comforting others when they need it by placing their needs above her own.

Frank Samer, of Lower Macungie Township. Samer’s engineering background served him well as a member of the board of Penn’s West Condominium Association, where he was able to help the community members by installing security measures to protect residents and fix things when they needed to be done in a timely manner. He drove public school buses and serves as a crossing guard in all kinds of weather to make sure children get home safely. He also works at the local Lehigh County polls to ensure everyone is utilizing their right to vote. His dedication to being mentally and physically active continue to suit him well in his retirement life by serving others.

William “Bill” Torrence Sr., of Lower Macungie Township. Torrence has made a difference in others lives. He is a resident at Country Meadows, where he enjoys his time constructing and leading a team of helpers to build beautiful doll houses for children who request them through the “Make a Wish Foundation.” His love of children is expressed through is craftsmanship in his work. He is also the conductor at the Christmas model railroad set at Country Meadows. He has spent many hours with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and is living his milestone of 100 years old!

William “Bill” and Mary Zegarski, of Lower Macungie Township. The Zegarskis have a passion for helping others that has evolved into their roles as regular volunteers at Meals on Wheels. This decision goes back 40 years when the couple originally volunteered and now that they are retired, they have returned. Despite the pandemic, these two provided stability to their community by continuing to deliver meals and provide conversation with the recipients. Besides their ongoing service for Meals on Wheels, Mary volunteers with a nonprofit organization that supports the Allentown Art Museum and Bill tutors chemistry at a local community college. They also are grandparents to four grandchildren and love contributing their support to their family and community.

Volunteer First Responders

In Lehigh County, volunteer first responders have the obligation to be near the station when they are on duty in case of an emergency. This is a huge sacrifice, as this job is every day 24/7 and their weekend plans can change at any moment in order to save someone’s life in the community. After an incident occurs, the work is not over as the gear and equipment must be restored, cleaned and prepared for the next emergency. Continuous education, training and drills are part of the life of a volunteer first responder. There are also volunteers that help with the administrative and supportive tasks in these stations. While their numbers have diminished over the years, we continue to be grateful and thankful for these volunteers who choose to save strangers lives every day.