Cooper’s to Present Memorial Block Party

Cooper’s Seafood Restaurant has joined forces with Dr. Jen’s Hope again to present Dr. Jen’s Hope Memorial Block Party, which will be held on Sunday, August 11th. This event will be honoring the 10 years of service Dr. Jen’s Hope has dedicated to our communities. The event will take place from 12:00pm – 7:00pm, and will feature food and drinks, live entertainment, basket raffles, and more. We are looking for the support of local businesses and organizations in the forms of presenting sponsor, t-shirt sponsors, gift certificates/baskets, cash donations, and/or other.

Dr. Jen’s Hope has been funding initiatives locally and globally to aid in the lives of children and those who care for them. The organization has provided assistance to health clinics, local nonprofits, and educational institutions. Without the continued support of our community none of this would be possible.

This year, Dr. Jen’s Hope will be donating to two local charities; Brandon’s Forever Home and Adopt a Single Mom Project. Brandon’s Forever Home is an organization dedicated to the betterment of the lives of Pennsylvania foster children via providing basic needs such as hygiene products, clothes, shoes, luggage, etc. The Adopt a Single Mom Project provides support and resources to single mothers in NEPA including financial services, career development, as well as programs for mothers and children.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

YMCA to Host Annual McGrath Golf Tournament

Registration is open for the Greater Scranton YMCA‘s 4th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration. This year’s tournament will take place on Friday, September 15th at Glen Oak Country Club. Event proceeds will benefit Summer Scholars, one of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s two Summer Learning Loss Prevention Programs.

The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m., golf at 1:00 p.m., cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and the dinner/program at 7:30 p.m.

Summer Scholars is a free research-based and research-proven six-week summer learning program with a goal to get elementary students on track to read at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. This summer, the program is serving rising first, second and third grade students attending the Mid Valley School District. Since the program began in 2016, more than 200 children have participated. Participants’ days consist of 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning followed by lunch and enrichment in the afternoon. The program is instructed by certified teachers and YMCA staff.

Harry McGrath was a proud member of the Greater Scranton YMCA. He specialized in education law, advocating for the rights of all students, particularly those with special needs. It became his passion to improve the quality of education for children living in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the tournament will support the Y’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program, a six-week program serving rising first and second grade students who are struggling with reading and are attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts.

“Our dad worked tirelessly so that children in this area had the necessary tools to succeed in school,” said Betsy McGrath Ardizoni, Event Coordinator and Greater Scranton YMCA Board Member. “The Summer Learning Loss Prevention program is consistent with his goal of using his legal career to positively impact the lives of the children he was privileged to represent, and our family is humbled and grateful to honor his legacy through a program he would undoubtedly support.”

For more information about the tournament, including sponsorship opportunities and registration, visit the Greater Scranton YMCA online or contact Betsy at (570) 768-6118 or Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director, Greater Scranton YMCA, at mcarnevale@gsymca.org.

Allied Services Receives Donation from Hawk Family Foundation

PHOTO ID: from left, Atty. Bill Conaboy, President & CEO, Allied Services; Carolyn Hawk Horter, Chair of the Board, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates; Chris Cuneo, President, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates; Patrick Hawk, Vice President, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates; Susan Jeffery, Administrator, Hawk Family Foundation 

Allied Services recently accepted a $10,000 donation from the Hawk Family Foundation. The donation represents a contribution to WNEP’s Ryan’s Run, an annual charity campaign that raises funds for rehab technology and services benefitting patients and residents of all ages and abilities at Allied Services. The charity campaign culminates on November 7, 2021, when a team of volunteers from around Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania and beyond will participate in the TCS New York City Marathon. With support from local businesses, foundations, schools, and individuals, the campaign aims to raise more than $300,000 for vital community services and rehab technology at Allied Services. 

The recent donation by the Hawk Family Foundation is part of an ongoing partnership between the family-owned Gertrude Hawk Chocolates and the local non-profit health system. Over the years, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates has supported the non-profit health system’s school for children with dyslexia, skilled nursing facilities, and other programs that benefit individuals, families, and communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They also partner with the Vocational Training Center on Allied Services Scranton Campus to employ individuals with disabilities. 

Homers That Help Campaign to benefit Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball

Minor League Baseball™ has announced the creation of a charitable component to Triple-A Baseball’s Final Stretch, the 10-game close of the 2021 season, that will benefit a 501(c)3 charity in each Triple-A city. For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (home and road games) during the Triple-A Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local charity selected by the team.

Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball has been tabbed as the benefactor of each home run that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders hit during the final 10 games of 2021.

In addition to the $50 per home run donation, the Triple-A team that hits the most home runs over the upcoming 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for their charity.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

“The yearly support we have received from the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders has been remarkable and such a huge boost for our organization,” said Larry Wills, President of Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball. “I would really like to thank the front office staff and players for the continued support and all that they do for these incredible kids. Now… Let’s swing for the fences!”
The RailRiders host the Syracuse Mets from September 22 through 26 before traveling to Rochester from September 29 through October 3 for their Final Stretch. Tickets are available at swbrailriders.com.