Geisinger and Local Food Chain Address Food Insecurity Geisinger is partnering with The GIANT Company and Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) to pilot a mobile food pantry that will serve food-insecure people living in the Central Susquehanna Valley. The GIANT Company is committing a total of $597,000 to fund the mobile pantry, including a donation of $325,000 in 2023 in honor of its 100th anniversary to cover startup costs for the initiative. Expected to launch in early 2024, the mobile food pantry will aim to provide fresh, healthy food to 75 households in its first year. “We’re grateful to The GIANT Company and CSO for their collaboration in bringing healthy food to underserved communities,” said Nancy Lawton-Kluck, Geisinger’s chief philanthropy officer. “It’s a privilege to work with community leaders who share our values as we contribute to healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods.” According to the state Department of Human Services, more than a million Pennsylvanians were food insecure in 2022. Geisinger screens patients to understand their social needs, including food insecurity, and gets them connected to local community resources. Among Geisinger patients who have taken an adult social needs screening, nearly 10,500 have worried they would run out of food before having resources to buy more, and more than 3,800 have reported the same concern across Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties. As an extension of Geisinger’s food-is-health strategy designed to help people with challenges accessing healthy food live well and manage diet-responsive conditions, the client-choice mobile food pantry will launch in targeted underserved areas. The mobile unit will be available for anyone in the community in need of food assistance. The mobile food pantry is the latest in a long list of projects for which The GIANT Company has partnered with Geisinger to improve health and quality of life for local communities. This includes previous commitments to the Fresh Food Farmacy program, Children’s Miracle Network and Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. In total, The GIANT Company has given more than $8.5 million to Geisinger programs, facilities and initiatives. “Reducing food insecurity, increasing access to healthy foods and promoting nutrition is a priority for The GIANT Company,” said Nick Koch, Head of Wellbeing for The GIANT Company. “When Geisinger approached us with their idea for a mobile food pantry to help address these issues in their community, we knew we wanted to be a part of it. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this life-changing program will have on families across the central Susquehanna Valley.” CSO, a community action agency for Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties, will staff the unit with a community health worker, driver and volunteers, and the pantry will also provide nutrition education and referrals to Geisinger for any clinical care needs. CSO is a partner agency of the Central PA Food Bank. Because 37% of Geisinger patients who reported food insecurity also identified more than one social need, Neighborly, an easy-to-use online search tool for free and reduced-cost community resources will be available on kiosks or mobile devices at distribution sites. To learn more about Neighborly, visit neighborlypa.com. The GIANT Company’s 100th anniversary celebration efforts honor team members, customers and the communities it serves. Building on its century-long commitment to grow strong, healthy communities, philanthropy is a cornerstone of the company’s anniversary celebration. It is building its legacy by making donations and participating in volunteer activities aligned with its purpose of connecting families for a better future through efforts to eliminate hunger, change children’s lives, heal the planet, promote wellbeing and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. To learn more about how The GIANT Company is supporting the communities it serves, visit giantfoodstores.com/pages/our-purpose.
Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center Announces Upcoming Events Thanksgiving Buffet Join Kalahari for its annual Thanksgiving Celebration Buffet and feast on all of the traditional favorites like roasted turkey, herb-crusted prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, and so much more! Plus, don’t miss the dessert station! Thursday, November 23, 2023 4-8 p.m. Adults (ages 13+): $69.99 | Kids (ages 4-12): $29.99 | 3 & Under: FREE Located in the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center – 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 18349 More Info Breakfast with Santa Santa Claus is coming to town, and his first stop is Kalahari Resorts! Locals and resort guests are invited to join Kalahari for a holiday breakfast with Santa! Enjoy all your holiday breakfast favorites, including an omelet station, pancakes, waffles, fresh-cut fruit, and scrambled eggs. Plus, Kalahari is featuring a Build-Your-Own Mimosa or Bloody Mary add-on drink package for adults. After you eat, enjoy a special visit with Santa, stop by the Hot Cocoa Station, or take a train ride! December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 8:30-11 a.m. Adults (ages 13+): $34.99 | Kids (ages 4-12): $19.99 | 3 & Under: FREE Located in the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center – 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 18349 More Info Small Business Holiday Party Have a small company but want to celebrate in a big way? Enjoy the holidays together in style at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Small Business Holiday Party! Delicious hors d’oeuvres, festive cocktails, a full buffet dinner, and dancing awaits! Purchase your tickets today. Friday, December 15 7-10 p.m. $85 per person (inclusive of tax and service charge) | $62.50 Full Open Bar Add-On (inclusive of tax and service charge) Located in the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center – 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 18349 More Info Holiday Buffet Celebrate your holiday at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Experience Kalahari’s incredible holiday feast, where you’ll enjoy all of your holiday favorites like Hand Carved Duck, Ham and Prime Rib, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Candied Yams, and so much more! Plus, don’t miss the dessert station featuring a wide array of sweet treats, sure to satisfy any sweet tooth! Monday, December 25, 2023 4-8 p.m. Adults (ages 13+): $69.99 | Kids (ages 4-12): $29.99 | 3 & Under: FREE Located in the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center – 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 18349 More Info NYE Buffet & Glow Party Ring in the New Year at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions! Join Kalahari for its New Year’s Eve Buffet, where you will enjoy all of your favorite holiday dishes. Plus, don’t miss the dessert station featuring a wide array of sweet treats, sure to satisfy any sweet tooth! After dinner, join Kalahari from 9pm – 12am for a Glow Party in Kilimanjaro Ballroom, along with a special ball drop at midnight! Sunday, December 31 5-9 p.m. Adults (ages 13+): $79.99 | Kids (ages 4-12): $29.99 | 3 & Under: FREE Located in the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center – 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 18349 More Info
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Celebrates 18th Year of Delivering Thanksgiving Meals On Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 23rd, Hospice of the Sacred Heart will deliver meals to patients and their families. This is the 18th year the hospice will provide this service project. Over 700 meals complete with roasted turkey, all traditional Thanksgiving sides and pumpkin pie will be prepared by Mansour’s Market Café in Scranton, packaged, and delivered by hospice staff members and volunteers. “We so look forward to this day. We plan to once again gather as a hospice family of employees and volunteers to safely deliver over 700 Thanksgiving meals to our patients and their families. This project demonstrates our gratitude for the blessings in our lives,” said Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Media outlets are invited to photograph the distribution process beginning at 7:50 am at Mansour’s Market Café, 969 Prescott Avenue, Scranton. Deacon Patrick J. Massino will bless the meals at 8 am and deliveries will begin immediately afterwards. Diane Baldi, CEO, will be available for interviews between 8 and 10 am.
Fidelity Bank Rebrands its Wealth Management Division Fidelity Bank, a leading financial institution known for its commitment to providing top-tier financial services, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newly enhanced Wealth Management division. Alongside extending its wealth management services to the Lehigh Valley region, Fidelity Bank has also rebranded this service offering to better align its image with the comprehensive advice and solutions available. The Fidelity Bank Wealth Management team, comprised of seasoned financial experts and strategists, works closely together to create personalized wealth plans for their clients. Through their combined expertise, the team delivers a wide range of financial services, including investment management, trust and estate planning, private banking, endowment and foundation planning, as well as brokerage services. Fidelity Bank’s Director of Wealth Management, Nick Parise, expressed enthusiasm about this new venture. “The launch of our enhanced Wealth Management division underscores Fidelity Bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional financial services to our clients. “We recognize that financial success means different things to different people, and our dedicated team is poised to help our clients turn their financial goals into reality,” shared Parise. Central to Fidelity Bank Wealth Management’s services is the idea of “wealth care,” a philosophy that ensures clients have the right savings, investments, and financial strategies for a comfortable present and secure future. This is achieved by reviewing a client’s overall financial landscape, pinpointing specific needs and objectives, and implementing strategies to optimize and safeguard their wealth for the long term.
Tobyhanna Soldier Recognized as Latest Warfighter of the Quarter One highly dedicated soldier from Northeastern Pennsylvania was honored on Saturday, November 11, as they were formally recognized as Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD) latest Warfighter of the Quarter. Staff Sgt. Christopher E. Dougal, who was awarded the honor for the 3rd Quarter of 2023, received the distinction during the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Veterans Day game. This award recognizes the relationship between employees at TYAD and the warfighters who selflessly dedicate themselves to serving our nation, live a life consistent with the Army core values, and are good stewards of their communities. Staff Sgt. Dougal’s career of service spans 10 years and includes a deployment to Poland in 2019. He is the recipient of four Army Achievement Awards. Staff Sgt. Dougal said it was a great honor to receive the recognition and will continue to strive in support of the people he works with. “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as Warfighter of the Quarter,” said Staff Sgt. Dougal. “I appreciate the accolade from my colleagues and will continue to stive to uphold the Core Values of the Army. Be All You Can Be.” Staff Sgt. Dougal has been an instrumental asset to the TYAD and the success of the Personnel Force Innovation (PFI) Program. He works collaboratively with the organization’s Resource Management directorate to develop inventive ways to improve the program while simultaneously supporting members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and Army Reserve by seeking PFI hiring opportunities. Staff Sgt. Dougal also works closely with TYAD’s Information Technology department, ensuring proper compliance of the Emergency Operations Center computers. Through their teamwork, a new process was established that allowed for greater flexibly in maintaining their machines. Staff Sgt. Steven Carlew works closely with Staff Sgt. Dougal. He said that his work ethic and dedication to TYAD’s mission is tremendously admirable. “Staff Sgt. Christopher Dougal has been a tremendous asset to Tobyhanna Army Depot by going above and beyond his normal duties to work with civilian employees, teaching and coaching them through military processes that were unknown to the civilian workforce. He was able to be reached around the clock if needed for questions or help with assignment that was pushed their way,” said Staff Sgt. Carlew. “His selfless dedication and knowledge of the military was key to assisting with improving the PFI program by seeing discrepancies and formulating a plan to fix the issues at a moment’s notice.” In addition to his work on the mission side of TYAD, Staff Sgt. Dougal ensures he is no stranger to employees at TYAD and the surrounding community. He volunteers at “Touch a Truck” events allowing local elementary school students the ability to ask questions about the military and climb through military vehicles and also coordinates Color Guard details for various ceremonies and events within the organization and throughout the community. Staff Sgt. Dougal is preparing to make his exit from TYAD as he pursues the next chapter of his Army career. Lead Management Analyst Lisa Wesneski said he was a tremendous addition to Team Tobyhanna and will be missed. “It was truly my pleasure to work and learn from Staff Sgt. Dougal. He always took the time to help civilians understand the requirements of our Soldiers at Tobyhanna Army Depot,” said Wesneski. “Staff Sgt. Dougal is a behind the scenes Soldier as he does not look for recognition for all that he does; he just wants to ensure things are done correctly. He will be missed!” The Warfighter of the Quarter award and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Connecting with the Community line of effort. The goal of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s plan is to strive to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
The Wright Center Provides Whole-Person HIV/AIDS Care As she trained for her career as an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Mary Louise Decker, medical director of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic, worked with people dying of AIDS at the Gift of Peace AIDS Hospice in Washington, D.C. More than 20 years later, half of the patients she treats at the Ryan White Clinic are over 55 and living healthy, everyday lives, thanks to decades of medical advances and the comprehensive care she and her team of dedicated and compassionate healers provide. “The advances in treatment have been remarkable,” she said about the virus, which was once a death sentence. “Now, HIV is a chronic disease, similar to diabetes or hypertension.” Dr. Decker and other staff members reflected on the advances made since the first World AIDS Day was observed on Dec. 1, 1988. Today, more than 70 million people have been infected with HIV, and about 35 million have died from AIDS since the pandemic’s start, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Ryan White clinic, based at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., treats more than 450 patients aged 18 to 84 from 14 counties across Northeast and Central Pennsylvania annually. It offers comprehensive services for people living with or at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS, including prevention, testing, and treatment. The Ryan White Clinic offers a whole-person approach to patient care, allowing patients to visit a single site for a full spectrum of health services. In addition to medical care management, staff at the clinic offer behavioral health, dental care, and addiction and recovery services. Ancillary services include housing assistance, medical nutrition therapy, emergency financial assistance, and more. “A patient might come for a general medical visit, but during that time, they will have their immunizations updated and their labs drawn and have the opportunity to talk to their case manager or with a behavioral health counselor. They’ll often meet with our nutritionist and maybe visit our food pantry,” said Dr. Decker. “We refer patients to specialists when appropriate. Many of these patients have not had access to these services before. It’s satisfying to see our patients looking and feeling well and caring for their health.” Dr. Decker said the most significant change in HIV and AIDS treatment since the late 1980s has been the advances in medication. Azidothymidine, commonly called AZT, became available in 1987 to help people with HIV live longer. But it was expensive, and because the virus continued to mutate, it often stopped working. As scientists learned more about the virus, better drugs were developed during the 1990s. It meant, however, that people living with HIV had to take “a handful of pills” every day, according to Dr. Decker. Today, people can take just one pill to lower the amount of HIV in their blood to undetectable levels, ensuring they will not develop AIDS. There’s also an injectable medication available to patients at the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic and medication to reduce the risk of the patients’ partners becoming infected with HIV. Because of the effectiveness of new medications and the staff’s focus on making sure patients can obtain medication and take it as prescribed, most of the clinic’s HIV patients have virtually undetectable viral rates. That ensures the patient will not develop AIDS, allowing them to live long, healthy lives. It also means they cannot pass HIV to anyone else. “The overall goal of the Centers for Disease Control is at least 95% of the people diagnosed with HIV have virtually undetectable viral rates by 2025,” said Melissa Bonnerwith, grants administrator for the Ryan White Clinic. “Our viral load suppression at the Ryan White Clinic sits at 96.31%, so we’re already at the national goal.” Despite the advances, the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS remains, according to clinic leaders. Sister Ruth Neely, CRNP, a Religious Sister of Mercy, began offering HIV outreach services in 1997, three years before The Wright Center’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic was formally established. She said many patients she works with still struggle with acceptance from family, friends, and society. “I talked to one of my patients; he’s 80 years old,” she said. “And he said the stigma is still out there. It’s something he’s always dealt with.” Dr. Decker said HIV and AIDS are discussed more freely than in the past. “We’re doing a better job of getting the message out there,” she said. “The more we can normalize getting tested, the less stigma will exist.” WHO IS RYAN WHITE? Ryan White was 13 when he was diagnosed with AIDS after a blood transfusion in December 1984. When the Kokomo, Indiana, teen tried to return to school, he faced AIDS-related discrimination in his community. Along with his mother, Jeanne White Ginder, he rallied for his right to attend school and became the face of public education about the disease. On Aug. 18, 1990, Congress enacted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act — the legislation that created the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program — to improve the quality and availability of HIV care and treatment for low-income people with HIV. Today, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides HIV care and treatment services to more than half a million people with HIV. The Wright Center received its federal Ryan White designation in 2003. Since then, the clinic has provided comprehensive HIV primary medical care, essential support services, and medications for those living with HIV, including the uninsured and underserved, throughout 14 counties in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Susquehanna counties.
The Wright Center Earns Multiple Recognition Badges The Wright Center for Community Health recently received recognition from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for quality work last year in three performance categories, including its use of health information technology to better serve patients and their families. The Wright Center also made notable achievements during 2022 in these two categories: providing services to combat the COVID-19 public health emergency and screening patients for social risk factors that can impact their health, such as lack of adequate housing and food insecurity. HRSA annually reviews the performance data of health centers across the United States and then highlights the organizations that meet or exceed its goals in categories of special focus, such as improving health equity, access, and other quality measures. It bestows the top performers with its Community Health Quality Recognition badges. HRSA first awarded badges in 2021, using data from the prior year’s reporting period. Since then, The Wright Center has earned 10 badges. This year, the three badges awarded to The Wright Center are “Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality,” “COVID-19 Public Health Champion,” and “Addressing Social Risk Factors to Health.” HRSA displays information about all of its badge recipients – which include many of the country’s 1,370 Federally Qualified Health Centers and 117 Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes, including The Wright Center – on an online dashboard accessible via its website, hrsa.gov. The Wright Center was among fewer than 12 percent of Look-Alikes nationwide to receive this year’s “Addressing Social Risk Factors to Health,” according to the dashboard. The Wright Center operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. It accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To learn more about The Wright Center for Community Health’s many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.
Marywood University to Celebrate the Season by “Making Spirits Bright” “Making Spirits Bright,” Marywood’s annual celebration of the holiday season through festive programming, community service, and spiritual opportunities, will begin this month and continue through New Year’s Eve. Service activities and a concert will begin this month, followed by signature events and programming occurring in December. FESTIVE PROGRAMMING The signature event of the Christmas season, Marywood’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center on Wednesday, December 6, at 4 p.m. Seasonal music from student musicians will be featured. The event is free and open to the public. The public also may view the Marywood Christmas tree during the normal operating hours of the Liberal Arts Center, Monday through Friday, December 6-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Marywood’s campus also will feature an outdoor Christmas display of the Nativity scene at the Memorial Arch on Adams Avenue. Sounds of the season will be broadcast by Marywood’s award-winning, student-run radio station, VMFM 91.7, which once again becomes Christmas 91.7 and continues its traditional community gift of broadcasting commercial-free Christmas music, 24/7. Christmas programming starts on Wednesday, December 6, following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and continues through New Year’s Eve. Those outside of the station’s local broadcast range can stream it for free online or through the Tune-in app. The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance is presenting several seasonal concerts, which are free and open to the public, including: Percussion Ensemble Concert, November 28, 5 p.m., Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts – The concert will feature two works arranged by Clair O. Musser for the 1935 International Marimba Symphony Orchestra: Edward Elgar’s – “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1,” and “Bolero,” by Eustasio Rosales. The concert will also feature works by composers Michael Udow, Nathan Daughtrey, and a novelty ragtime xylophone solo by Harry Breuer: “Back Talk,” with Benjamin Werle as xylophone soloist. There will also be a touch of Christmas Music! Guitar Ensemble Holiday Concert, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life – Join us for a program that includes music by Francisco Tárrega, the 19th-century Spanish virtuoso, combined with live Jazz improvisation! The program also includes a few Christmas classics, such as “Silent Night.” Chamber Singers Holiday Concert, December 10, 2 p.m., Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life – The annual Christmas concert by the Marywood University Chamber Singers will feature sacred and secular music and carols by Pierre de Manchicourt, Richard Rodney Bennett, Abbie Betinis, Kevin Allen, John Milne, and John Orfe. Additionally, there will be a Marywood Wind Symphony Holiday Concert at Marywood Heights, December 6, 7 p.m. The Band does this event each year to bring joy to the residents/staff of Marywood Heights. They will perform many traditional holiday favorites including sing-a-longs for the residents. Attendance at this event is limited to residents and staff of Marywood Heights. COMMUNITY SERVICE An on-campus Giving Tree service project will run from November 13-December 8. Unwrapped gifts, valued at $15, for the Giving Tree are due on Friday, December 8, at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life. In addition to unwrapped gifts, monetary donations, as well as gift cards to stores such as Target, will be acceptable. Donations of gift wrap that can be shared with families are also welcome. Co-sponsors of this service effort are MUSE Education Club and the Maxis-Gillet Student Ambassadors for Service, Faith, and Justice. The gifts are being given to children, senior citizens, and men and women in the Scranton area who are experiencing homelessness. Contact communityservice@m.marywood.edu with any questions. Marywood students will spread holiday cheer to the retired IHM Sisters at Our Lady of Peace Residence, located on campus, with two afternoons of Christmas caroling on Tuesday, November 28, and on Monday, December 11, at 2:30 p.m. on both dates. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIESMass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patronal feast of the IHM Sisters and the United States, will be celebrated on Friday, December 8, at Noon in the Marian Chapel. An Advent Prayer Service is taking place on December 13, 2023, 6:30 p.m., at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in the IHM Center adjacent to Marywood’s campus (1512 University Avenue). This bilingual prayer service is being coordinated by IHM Associates Alejandra Marroquin and Rufino Cano. STUDENT AND ALUMNI EVENTS An office decorating contest, sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA), will allow students to vote for their favorite décor. A $250 donation will be given to the winning office’s favorite charity, and the winner will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony. Additionally, the SGA is sponsoring a “Letters from Santa” project for members of the Marywood community (including alumni) and their families, who request letters for the children in their lives. The deadline for requests is December 4. For more information, contact marywoodclubs@marywood.edu. Marywood will offer its traditional Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by the NEPA Marywood Alumni Chapter in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Engagement. The event is set for Sunday, December 3, from 9 a.m. – Noon, in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center. Seating is limited, and preference is given to Marywood alumni. Advanced registration is required; once the event capacity is reached, registration will be closed. For details, go to: marywood.edu/alumni/events. For information on Marywood’s Christmas events and related resources, visit marywood.edu/makingspiritsbright.
Avoca International Airport Announces New Service Breeze Airways, the U.S.’ only NLCC, or ‘Nice Low Cost Carrier,’ today announced new service from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) to Orlando, FL, starting January 30, 2024. Fares on the new nonstop routes start from $59* one-way, if purchased by November 14, for travel by September 3, 2024. Along with the new routes, Breeze is also currently offering 35%** off roundtrip bookings using the code ‘BENICE’ which is applicable also on the new routes from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. From Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA to: Orlando, FL (Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting January 30, 2024, Nice from $59* one way). “This is great news that Breeze Airways will be serving Northeastern Pennsylvania with service to Orlando,” said Carl R. Beardsley, Jr., AVP Executive Director. “Orlando is one of our top destinations, and we are excited that Breeze will provide our area’s families and businesses with convenient, nonstop service to Orlando.” “Breeze’s focus is on connecting underserved markets, adding nonstops between cities without existing service,” said Breeze Airways’ President Tom Doxey. “As we introduce service from Wiles-Barre/Scranton, we’re proud to bring an affordable and convenient new travel option to Orlando.” Recognized by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the Top 5 Best U.S. Airlines for the second consecutive year, Breeze offers Guests both bundled and a la carte options known as Nice, Nicer and, on flights operated with the Airbus A220-300, Nicest. The Nicest bundle includes two checked bags, priority boarding and Breeze Ascent—the carrier’s premium inflight experience featuring 2×2 recliner-style seating and complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol. Breeze doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Learn more about Breeze’s flight offerings via our site or the app.
