Aug. 10—PLYMOUTH — The 18th annual Plymouth Alive Kielbasa Festival promises attendees to enjoy great food, music and fun, but the real benefit of the two-day festival is the impact it has on the town, its organizations and its people.

"The proceeds that we in Plymouth Alive receive from vendor fees and T-shirt sales go toward paying for the festival itself, but also allow us as an organization to donate to the fire companies, the police department, sponsor the summer reading program at the library, support the Plymouth Shawnee Indians and the Historical Society on a regular basis" said Alexis Eroh, Plymouth Alive chairperson. "This year, we were able to replace the planters along Main Street and plant the flowers in summer, which helps beautify the town. We can bring Santa and Rudolph to town during the holiday season. The impact of a two-day festival is a year-long benefit."

Adam Morehart, Plymouth Alive treasurer, said the organization that is celebrating its 20th year, has donated to Valley With a Heart, Go Joe for St. Joseph's Center, The Plymouth Shawnee VFW Post 1425, The Plymouth Shawnee Indians for equipment and vending funds, Plymouth Public Library for their Reading Program, Plymouth Historical Society, Plymouth Police Department for Police Community Day and all three Plymouth fire departments.

Just between 2020-2022, Morehart said the Kielbasa Festival has donated to Plymouth Public Library over all three years to support their summer reading program for a total of $3,850. Also receiving donations were: $5,170 between all three Plymouth fire companies; Plymouth Historical Society, $500 in 2020 to aid in repairing vandalism to the Avondale Mine Disaster Site, $200 donation 2021 and 2022; Plymouth Shawnee Cemetery, $200 donation all three years; Catherine McCauley House, $200; Plymouth Shawnee Indians, $250 donation in 2020, $500 in 2021 and $750 so far in 2022; Plymouth Police Department, $1,476' donated $1,350 for new custom-made wood planters and $1,300 in flowers for those planters yea-round.

Total donations for 2020 — 2022 came toe $15,746.

Eroh said the annual Kielbasa Festival has returned thousands of dollars to the borough's non-profit organizations and community groups.

Eroh, 36, is a member of Plymouth Borough Council and works as a contract manager at Partnerize in Forty Fort.

"We will continue to support the community," Eroh said.

Eroh said she and the members of Plymouth Alive want to continue the legacy of the Kielbasa Festival and its importance to the community.

"The Kielbasa Festival has become an institution for the town," Eroh said. "And Plymouth Alive remains strong in the community."

Community impact

Every year, proceeds from the annual Plymouth Alive Kielbasa Festival are donated to organizations and programs in the borough.

The Kielbasa Festival has raised funds to help all the organizations listed below:

—Purchased flowers and maintenance costs — $450 in 2018; $550 in 2019 (barrels along Main Street).

—Plymouth Public Library, funded the Summer Reading Program 2017, 2018 and 2019, $1,200 per year (2010 thru 2016, $1,000 per year was donated.)

—In 2019, donated $1,000 to Plymouth Public Library to assist with air conditioning system repairs.

—Shawnee Preservation 2019, $500 to use toward purchase of a shed to house equipment for Shawnee Cemetery.

—Plymouth Borough Police Department, 2018 purchased a new laptop for the police to assist with investigations.

—Donation to the Plymouth Shawnee Indians mini-football program, $1,000 for 2019 season.

—2019 donation to Plymouth Revitalization Project, paid for printed materials for handout.

—Valley with a Heart, donation 2018 and 2019.

—Plymouth American Legion, 2018 and 2019, donation of $500 per year to help fund Thanksgiving dinner for the Veterans.

—The Wall That Heals 2019, purchased the posters and handouts printed for advertising.

—Purchased new touchscreen laptop computer for voice-activated collar for Plymouth Police Department — $1,200.

—Purchased a $16,000 complete computer system with four work stations, server and maintenance package for Plymouth Police Department.

—Thirty large wooden flower planters were placed throughout the downtown and will be filled seasonally, $1,340.

—Purchased a first responder ballistic shield for the Plymouth Police Department, $1,600.

—Defibrillator purchased for Plymouth Police Department in partnership with Plymouth Rotary Club of Plymouth for use in police cruisers.

—Donation to the Shawnee Cemetery Preservation Association toward their purchase of a new flagpole.

—$1,000 a year to the Plymouth Public Library to fund their children's summer reading program for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — $7,000.

—Donations to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army for the 2011 flood recovery assistance program.

—Proceeds from a benefit held at Rox 52 in 2011 after the summer flood. All proceeds were divided among the three fire companies to help fund their recovery efforts.

—Purchased taser gun and cartridges for Plymouth Police Department to help strengthen their efforts in keeping our town safe.

—Purchased replacement taser cartridges for the Plymouth Police Department.

—Purchased a Breathalyzer for use by the Plymouth Police Department in their patrol cars.

—Purchased a Ballistic Shield for use by the Plymouth Police Department.

—Additional donation to each of the three Fire Companies in the borough.

—$500 donation to the Knights of Columbus for their annual coat drive.

—Donation to the Plymouth Rotary Lighting Fund.

—Donations to the other Plymouth organizations to support their events such as "Trunk or Treat" and Easter Egg Hunt.

—$500 donation to Valley with a Heart who assist Northeastern Pennsylvania terminally ill children 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 — $2,500.

—Donation $500 to American Legion, to assist the Plymouth Borough Parks & Recreation Board.

—Donated $1,000 to Plymouth Goodwill 2 Hose Company for the 2015 and 2016 "Feet on Fire" 5K.

—2015-2016-2017 Main Street Flower Barrels-planting/maintenance by Banyar's Greenhouse $1,100.

—Donated $500 to Plymouth Historical Society to help with expenses for the 150th Anniversary.

—Donated $1,200 to Plymouth Public Library to fund the children's summer reading program 2017.

—Donated $500 to Nathan Gray Fundraiser.

—VFW Golf Tournament $500 sponsor & hole sponsor 2016, 2017. $1,000.

—Goodwill Hose Company No. 2 and VFW — $1,000 toward purchase of mobile BBQ grill used for fundraising.

—Purchased 16 22-gallon perforated green steel basket waste receptacles for downtown $3,500.

—Donated $500 to Shawnee Cemetery Preservation Association towards purchase of new sign.

—Purchased 30 telephone pole Kielbasa Man banners for Main Street $4,500.

—Purchased 29 new street signs only on Main Street $1,400.

—Donated toward the grant for the John Mergo Community Park $3000.

—Donation to Plymouth Shawnee Indians Mini Football/Cheerleading 2015, $750; 2016 and 2017, $2,000.

—Donation to the Plymouth Public Library for stationery 2016 and 2018, $900.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.