The Lehigh Valley Post L of the Travelers Protective Association of America has a proud history of giving back to the community.

Post L held its annual picnic at the North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park Aug. 7 during which the organization again awarded two area families with scholarship money from the post’s deaf and near-deaf trust fund.

This year’s recipients include Allyson Hickswa and son Jackson, of Bethlehem, who received $1,000 and Heather and Jack Maginn and daughters Lily and Riley, of Coopersburg, who received $2,000.

Patricia Palencar, Post L secretary, treasurer and chairwoman of the deaf and near-deaf trust fund, recently told The Press longtime member of Post L Lewis D. Kohler, of Egypt, left money from his estate to be used to assist hearing-impaired children in the Lehigh Valley.

“Lewis Kohler loved our organization and what we stand for,” Palencar said.

The fund was created in 2005, with the first monies being awarded to a recipient in November 2006.

“We have awarded 27 recipients since 2006 in the amount of $17,500,” Palencar said.

According to Palencar, applications for the monetary funding are distributed to those who contact the organization. The organization’s board of directors then reviews the applications and renders its decision.

National monetary awards are given out to all states, Palencar also said.

National TPA has a hearing-impaired application on its website at tpa.hq.org.

Palencar said Post L has 1,060 members, with over 500 residing in Emmaus.

“We are the largest post in the Pennsylvania division,” she noted.

Members to Post L are either asked to join or may fill out an application to become a member. Members receive accident benefits with reimbursements paid to the member and not to the doctor or hospital, Palencar said.

Those interested in joining must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and should contact Palencar at 610-837-9681 or by email at tpa.patp@gmail.com.