Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Nonprofit Excellence Awards Recipients The Scranton Area Community Foundation, through its Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, announces the recipients of its first-ever Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognizes nonprofit organizations, individuals, and local community projects that embody themes of collaboration, innovation, advocacy, and inclusion. The awards were given during the Foundation’s NEPA Learning Conference, held at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, on September 22. During the Conference, the Scranton Area Community Foundation awarded the Nonprofit of the Year, the Collaborative Project of the Year, the Rising Star Award, and the NEPA Gives Superstar Award. The Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes a nonprofit organization in Northeast Pennsylvania that demonstrates excellence in leadership, management, innovation, collaboration, and impact. The 2023 Nonprofit of the Year Award recipient is United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA. United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA works together with neighbors to provide services and create opportunities that empower individuals and build strong, interdependent communities. The Collaborative Project of the Year Award celebrates successes and acknowledges the collaborative efforts of Northeastern Pennsylvania organizations that achieve extraordinary results due to their partnerships. The 2023 Collaborative Project of the Year Award recipient is Readiness in Skilled Employment (RISE). The RISE program was developed by a collaborative including Johnson College, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development, and the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. The program tackles the mismatch between available jobs and the people who need them and has been cited as a model for potential expansion into other locations. The Rising Star Award recognizes an individual who is an up-and-comer in the NEPA nonprofit sector. The 2023 Rising Star Award recipient is Ryanne Jennings, President and CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation. The NEPA Gives Superstar Award recognizes a NEPA Gives participant who went above and beyond for the 2023 NEPA Gives event by attending events, holding peer-to-peer fundraisers, and successfully reaching new donors who helped them raise money beyond their goal. The 2023 NEPA Gives Superstar Award recipient is NEPA Youth Shelter.
University of Scranton November Events Through Dec. 15 Library Exhibit: “Learning to Write-American Penmanship Manuals from the David Kaminski and Zaner-Bloser Collections 1791-1980.” Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-6341 or email michael.knies@scranton.edu. Nov. 2 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain” presented by Sara Manning Peskin, M.D., assistant professor of clinical neurology, University of Pennsylvania. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov 2 4 p.m. Humanities Forum Lecture: “Explaining the Cosmos: Can the Philosopher Help?” presented by Dean Zimmerman, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers University, author and lecturer. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. Nov. 3 6 p.m. Art Exhibit First Fridays reception: “Scranton’s Story: Oral History Portrait Photographs.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu, Nov. 4 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 5 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu. Nov. 9 7:30 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “The ‘China Shock’ After 22 Years” presented by Robert C. Feenstra, Ph.D., C. Bryan Cameron Distinguished Chair in International Economics, University of California, Davis. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu. Nov 10 Noon. Humanities Forum Lecture: “The Habit of Poetry: The Literary Lives of Nuns in Mid-century America” presented by Nick Ripatrazone, author and culture editor of Image Journal. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. Nov. 12 4 p.m. Performance Music: “The Generation Sing!” The Catholic Choral Society opens their 75th anniversary season jointed by The University of Scranton concert Choir and Valley View High School Choir with middle school and elementary choirs. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 16 7 p.m. Keynote Lecture and Book Signing: “Who are We as a Nation? Education for Democracy” presented by Danielle Allen, Harvard University political theorist and author of Justice by Means of Democracy. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Nov. 16-18 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Footloose” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Call 570-941-7401 or email livaartscompany@gmail.com. Nov. 18 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with guest violinist Kako Miura Boga. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.
The Honesdale National Bank Honors Employees for Years of Service The Honesdale National Bank has had the great fortune of having loyal and long-tenured employees to help serve its customers and greater communities. The Bank is pleased to recognize 26 employees who celebrated milestones of service in 2023. Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., HNB President & CEO, offered, “Our company’s enduring success is a testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment of our longstanding employees, who have been the driving force behind our achievements for many years.” He continues, “Their dedication and expertise continue to lead our company’s success and growth each and every day.” 5 Years of Service Joseph Sweeney, Senior Credit Analyst, Corporate Center; Emily A. Zielinski, Mortgage Loan Processor, HNB Mortgage Center; Catherine Ferraro, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Eynon Office; Ralph Scartelli, VP, Residential Mortgage Sales Manager, Lake Wallenpaupack Office; Kristain Kochanski, Receptionist, HNB Mortgage Center; Linda Short, PT Teller/CSR Float, Montdale Office; and Marissa Smith, Teller/CSR, Route 6 Plaza Office. 10 Years of Service Lisa Valentine, AVP, Branch Manager, Montdale Office; Jamie Shnipes, Branch Manager, Eynon Office; Nicholas J. D’Alberto, AVP, Branch Manager, Main Street Office; Charles Curtin, VP, Trust Officer, Corporate Center; William Carmody, Financial Consultant, Corporate Center; and Annie Grado, PT Clerk, HNB Mortgage Center. 15 Years of Service Christopher Cook, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Corporate Center; Melissa Rushworth, AVP, Loan Officer, Forest City Office; Maggie Klim, Receptionist, Corporate Center; Raymond Ceccotti, SVP, Business Development & Relationship Manager, Corporate Center; Jeanne Frank, Trust Clerk; Corporate Center; Neil Neumann, PC Support Specialist, Corporate Center; Theresa A. Halliday, Assistant Branch Manager, Main Street Office; and John Conte, AVP, Loan Officer, Main Street Office. 20 Years of Service Kim Canfield, Head Teller, Montdale Office; Deborah Miller, BSA Assistant, Corporate Center; and Ronald Sebastianelli, SVP, Chief Lending Officer, Corporate Center. 25 Years of Service Cherese Golya, Loan Servicing Clerk, HNB Mortgage Center. 30 Years of Service Cindy Motichka, VP, Loan Servicing Manager, HNB Mortgage Center. HNB extends its appreciation to all its employees for their dedication to supporting its customers and local community! The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton Recognized for Excellence in Patient Safety Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton has received statewide recognition for its outstanding performance in patient safety. The Hospital and Health system Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is recognizing Regional Hospital of Scranton through its 2023 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program. The recognition honors Pennsylvania’s top-performing hospitals that have demonstrated low rates of health care-associated infections. HAP is recognizing 29 hospitals this year based on their performance during 2022. HAP identifies top-performing hospitals using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. To be recognized, hospitals must perform better than the mean standardized infection ratio in three key measures: central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections. “HAP is proud to recognize the hospital teams with exemplary results from their efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care,” HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said. “This year, more hospitals met the criteria to be recognized than any other year since this program began. This speaks to the Pennsylvania hospital community’s strong commitment to patient safety.”
Johnson College to Host Community Trunk of Treat Event Johnson College invites the community to a Trunk-or-Treat event on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. at its Scranton campus. The College’s students, staff, and faculty, as well as community organizations, will be handing out candy in the upper parking lot by the Moffat Student Resource Center. The lot can be accessed via the North entrance across from Schiff’s Marketplace. Everyone attending is encouraged to wear their favorite costume! This free event will provide families with a safe space to enjoy Halloween fun. For more information, please email studentsuccess@johnson.edu or call 570.702.8953 or 570.702.8912.
FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank Balloon Battle Raises Money for Charity FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank, two local community banks, along with the city of Dunmore, hosted a “Bankers’ Balloon Battle” to raise funds for charity. The event took place at Dunmore Corners on Thursday, September 7th. Bankers from FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank donated money for the opportunity to participate in the battle. All in good fun, the organizations splashed their “rival” by wielding nearly 3,000 water balloons into the air. Despite the stormy weather, bankers from both banks made a great showing. Dunmore’s Mayor, Max Conway, served as the emcee of the event. Conway, who was also the judge for the contest, declared a draw – with both banks equally soaked. The event raised nearly $2,600, all of which was donated to Bread Basket of NEPA, a charity that supports 7 local food pantries. Bread Basket of NEPA serves individuals, families, and Veterans across Lackawanna County with the goal of alleviating hunger in our community. “We see this contest as a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together,” shared Daniel J. Santaniello, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank. “Though FNCB Bank is our business competitor, at the end of the day, we all share the like-minded goal of serving our community. This event was a fun and innovative way for us and our friends at FNCB Bank to join forces and help an organization that brings vital services to our area.” “This idea was born when employees from FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank volunteered together at another great community event, the St. Joseph’s Center Summer Festival,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “The two teams wanted to come up with a fun way to take advantage of our friendly rivalry while helping those in need in our community. Based on the smiles on everyone’s faces and the donation to Bread Basket of NEPA, it was a great success.”
Allied Services Receives Record-Breaking Support from Mueller Family McDonalds The Mueller family, representing 19 regional McDonald’s restaurants, recently presented a check in support of Team Allied Services and You. The annual charity campaign raising funds and awareness for children and adults with disabilities at Allied Services. The donation represents proceeds from a month-long “Fry” fundraiser conducted during the month of September at Mueller Family McDonald’s restaurants in Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every large fry was designated for Allied Services. This year, a new record was set for the annual fry fundraiser. In total, the initiative raised $37,482. In 2022, just over $30,000 was raised.“We are thrilled to be able to support Allied and their mission of helping people in our community overcome physical challenges; specifically, children with disabilities or chronic illness. We hope the funds will make an impact on the lives of those who are in need of these services in our area,” commented Christina Mueller-Curran, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “We are overwhelmed by the support of our communities. Our customers purchased about 150,000 orders of fries to make this possible! We could not have done it without their support and the support of our restaurant teams.” Upon receiving the donation, Allied Services President & CEO Atty. Bill Conaboy noted, “We are extremely grateful for the Mueller Family McDonald’s longtime support for Allied Services and the overall community.” “When we visited their South Scranton restaurant, celebrating their 50-year anniversary brought back memories of my youth growing up nearby, and it gives me great pride to recognize the Mueller Family’s decades of commitment of time, talent, and treasure – as Christina Mueller-Curran loyally serves on our Board of Directors.” Mueller Family McDonald’s are long-time supporters of Allied Services, and proud 2023 major sponsors of the Team Allied Services and You charity campaign. On November 5, local runner Krista Smith will represent McDonald’s and Allied Services in the TCS New York City Marathon. She joins a team of 60 other runners from around the United States and beyond who are running and raising funds for the non-profit health system. Every day, Allied Services touches the lives of more than 5,000 people in homes and facilities throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. The non-profit health system’s continuum of care for people with disabilities, chronic illness, and life-changing injuries includes physical rehabilitation, skilled nursing, pediatric services, behavioral health programs, residential programs, vocational training programs, and hospice and palliative care.
