St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., hosted its annual basket social March 24-26.

It featured more than 200 baskets and 50 gift cards for bidding. The kitchen was open and offered a nice array of food and refreshment selections.

The volunteers running the event were cheerful and helpful with patrons’ questions and requests.

Sharon Hontz, of Whitehall, is the church’s basket social director. Hontz said, without the dedicated volunteers, the event would not exist. She said she guides preparations for the event months in advance.

Lisa Mackey and Joan Pudliner were mentioned, among other volunteers, as being instrumental in assembling the successful event.

Sue Smith, of Whitehall, served as a cheerful raffle ticket sales coordinator. Smith commented on the elaborate preparation leading up to the event weekend and noted the volunteer team is a hardworking, fun team.

Baskets included a wide range of selections including sports, household and food items, tools and more.

A novelty item was a gift card to visit the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia., which opened in 1829. The jail was closed in 1970, and the large cavernous penitentiary now is a tourist attraction.

The kitchen crew at the basket social was busy, with Susan Seidick, of Northampton, assisting patrons in purchasing food items. Some volunteers had their children assisting where they could, to help teach and instill a spirit of volunteerism.

The spirit of volunteerism is the principle of donating time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward.

Hontz noted the funds raised by the event are earmarked for the religious education at the parish.