HAZLETON, Pa. — At City View Park in Hazleton, local youth groups and organizations waited to receive grants from the Paul and Lisa DeAngelo Family Foundation.
The family is presenting more than $100,000 in donations to these groups that was raised by the the family's 4th annual Independence Day charity event this summer.
For the fourth year in a row, the DeAngelo family is matching all of the funds that were raised.
The DeAngelo family presented each check one by one to show their appreciation and support for the youth organizations of the Hazleton area.
"The youth groups we think that's the future of our area. You know, they have a lot of volunteers that come out to help the kids, and this gives us the opportunity to help them raise money that they really need. That makes a big difference to help these kids do a lot," said Paul DeAngelo, Paul and Lisa DeAngelo Family Foundation.
The Hazleton Area High School Babe Ruth Program was among the organizations to receive a grant of $5,000.
One member of the team says a donation like this reminds the team there are people out there who care about their organization.
"It means a lot. They're gonna help us out with our gear. The support of our team. You know it means everything," said Ryan Staffin, Hazleton Area High School Babe Ruth Program.
Other organizations, like the Hazleton Area Recreation Program and the Collaborative Autism Movement, expressed gratitude for the donation.
"We are a nonprofit obviously for kids, and this means that we can add programming that they can afford. So, for us, this means extra summer programming or after-school programming for them," said Christie Provanzo, Executive Director of Hazleton Area Recreation Program (HARP).
"We rely solely on grants, donations, and our fundraising efforts. The DeAngelo family foundation our doors wouldn't be open without them not only us but all the things that they do for the community," said Eileen Perchak, Executive Director Collaboration Autism Movement.
Officials from organizations in attendance say it is donations like this, big or small, that keep each organization running successfully.