McDonald Foundation Donates $5,000 to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The McDonald Foundation presented the Cancer Institute with a $5,000 donation to support the Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. Nevin Gerber, a representative of the McDonald Foundation and Spirit of Hope Ambassador together with Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Spirit of Hope Board of Ambassadors, presented the check. The Spirit of Hope Board of Ambassadors is a group of community volunteers that hosts an annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Proceeds from the event benefit the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps low income and un/underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.
HNB Supports Lacawac Sanctuary with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,000 of their approved allotment to the Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center, nestled on 550 acres near the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack. The funds, donated by HNB, will support the Center’s K-12 innovative educational programs HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “Lacawac Sanctuary presents benefits to our environment, local students, and community members.” He said, “We are glad that we can continue to support the funding of this organization to care for our youth’s education and environmental preservation.” Craig Lukatch, Lacawac Sanctuary President, said, “Lacawac Sanctuary is very grateful for the generous support of The Honesdale National Bank. Lacawac’s YES (Youth Engaging Science) Programs provide opportunities for students to participate in hands-on environmental STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education programs both in and out of school.” The Lacawac Sanctuary offers direct experiences with nature, providing relevant learning that equips students with critical thinking, creative approaches, and problem-solving skills. Their mission is to preserve the natural beauty of Lake Lacawac, its watershed, and surrounding lands; to conduct long-term research on natural systems as part of a global effort to understand and protect the Earth’s biodiversity; and to increase appreciation of this effort through innovative, field-based educational programs for students, teachers, and the community. Lukatch continued, “Lacawac strives each year to take our inquiry-based science programs to the next level, transforming the way teachers teach and students learn environmental education.”
HNB Supports Wayne County Public Library with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $20,000 of their approved allotment to the missions of the Wayne County Public Library. The funds, donated by HNB, will support students with e-resources and virtual programming within the seven-library system including the following local libraries: Bethany, Hamlin, Hawley, Newfoundland, Northern Wayne, Pleasant Mount, and the WCPL (Honesdale). Along with the e-resources, equipment will be purchased to provide virtual programming for those who cannot get to the library. Some resources include free online tutoring, online SAT/ACT classes, free access to the Get a Five program for those in Advanced Placement classes, hundreds of tutorials and videos, Learning Express Library, Teen Health & Wellness, Prenda Coding, and STEM Online Resources. HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “We are privileged to have the opportunity to provide local support to organizations like the Wayne County Public Library with funds through the EITC program.” He continued, “We are glad to see this contribution go towards program upgrades along with advancement of technology and resources.” Tracy Schwarz, Wayne County Public Library Director, mentioned, “The Libraries are working hard to provide programming, equipment, and education to support student learning in creative new ways.” She said, “In Addition, we continue to purchase STEM materials, computers, equipment, and other collection materials to further the excitement and education of Wayne County’s students.”
HNB Supports Abington Community Library with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $3,000 of their approved allotment to the Abington Community Library. The funds, donated by HNB, will support K-12 educational opportunities. HNB President & CEO, David Raven, stated, “Access to public libraries is important throughout the education of children and young adults.” He said, “We are excited to continue to serve our area by supporting this organization and contributing to their funding.” Sandy Longo, Abington Community Library Executive Director, said, “This year has challenged everyone to find a new normal as we all continue to cope with the ongoing healthcare crisis. The Library is no exception. I am proud to share programming staff devised ways to continue engaging our K – 12 service population during this time through virtual learning platforms and kits!” The Abington Community Library is part of the Lackawanna County Library System. The Library is located at 1200 West Grove Street in Clarks Summit, PA.
Foster & Lynn Friess Donation to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Spirit of Hope Celebration Ambassador, Matt Beynon, presented the Cancer Institute with a $100,000 check in December as a year-end blessing from Lynnette and Foster Friess of Jackson, WY, to support the Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. Foster Friess, a Wyoming businessman and philanthropist died on May 27th in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 81. Matt Beynon is part of the Board of Ambassadors, a group of community volunteers that hosts an annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Proceeds from the event benefit the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps low income and un/underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.
Marywood University Students Organize Food Donation Drive Marywood University students, Katelyn Gjini, Ramsey, N.J., president of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter, and Nicole Koestler, vice president of the NSSLHA chapter at the University, recently organized a food donation drive for Marywood University’s Pacer Panty. Miscellaneous food, snacks, and personal hygiene/toiletry items were donated to the Pacer Pantry with the support of students and faculty in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. The Pacer Pantry opened on the University’s campus in February 2020 on the ground floor of Emmanuel Hall. Various Marywood University departments, deans, faulty/staff members, student groups, and Friends of the Poor (a sponsored ministry of the IHM Congregation) collaborated to make the Pacer Pantry a reality. Sister Elizabeth McGill, IHM, an IHM novice and a Marywood graduate, headed the project. Food insecurity is a growing concern on college campuses throughout the country. Marywood’s local response to this nationwide issue is the Pacer Pantry, a name chosen by Marywood students, to benefit students and staff who may struggle with food insecurity. Fighting hunger—whether on a global scale or right in one’s own community—requires awareness. Advocacy and action are a part of the solution, but the fact that food insecurity is a real problem that exists on college campuses across the nation is eye opening for many. The NSSLHA Chapter at Marywood University is a student-run organization that is an active part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department and is in affiliation with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. The NSSLHA Chapter at Marywood collaborates with the University’s Student Government Association, and has participated in many departmental as well as campus-wide activities and events. For additional information about Marywood University’s Pacer Pantry, please email PacerPantry@marywood.edu, or visit marywood.edu/article/2020-Pacer-Pantry-Open-House. For additional information about Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, please visit marywood.edu/csd/, or call the office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234.
HNB Supports Leadership Lackawanna with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,000 of their approved allotment to Leadership Lackawanna. The funds, donated by HNB, will support curriculum enhancement for the betterment of local young professionals. HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “Leadership Lackawanna provides development for the skillsets of our area’s business owners and professionals, underwriting the growth and expansion of our local commerce and region’s economy.” He continued, “We are glad that we can provide funding for this program to continue the benefit to our community.” Nikki Morristell, Executive Director, Leadership Lackawanna, said “We are most appreciative to HNB for their continued support. These funds directly impact the 41 aspiring high school juniors in our Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program, hence allowing their leadership skills and abilities to grow and shine. Indirectly this generous gift provides an unparalleled combination of people, resources and opportunities to the community, impacting NEPA for years to come!” Leadership Lackawanna is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Its five programs – Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Leadership U, Core, Executive, and Welcome Scranton! – enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them to better serve in our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Since inception, Leadership Lackawanna has graduated more than 2,300 community leaders.
HNB Supports the Devereux Foundation with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,500 of their approved allotment to the Devereux Foundation. The funds, donated by HNB, will support individuals in all areas of life – from activities like Special Olympics to sensory-friendly spaces and advanced therapy. HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “The Devereux Foundation is an important organization in our community that continues to provide support to those in need.” He said, “We are glad that we can fund this program to continue to serve our area.” Tina Skod, Executive Director, Devereux Foundation, said, “Despite a number of diagnoses and challenges among those we serve. Devereux remains committed to whole-person health.” She continued “This collaborative effort to promote both behavioral and physical wellness puts us at the fore front of the industry, bringing healthcare into the 21st century.”
FNCB Bank Donates $10,000 to MyCIL’s Transitional Skills Center FNCB Bank, locally-based since 1910, has announced a $10,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to MyCIL in support of programming at their Transitional Skills Center. The Transitional Skills Center is a state-of-the-art facility where students with different disabilities develop the skills they need to reach their independent living goals. Part of MyCIL (Northeast PA Center for Independent Living), the Transitional Skills Center features comprehensive and customized programming that includes community-based learning experiences, recreation and wellness, group facilitation and more. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed almost $2.5 million dollars to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. The support of MyCIL is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Outreach Seeks Your Support in Building a Stronger Community Have you dreamed of making history? Of course; we all have. On Friday, June 4, you have a chance to be a part of history during northeastern Pennsylvania’s day of giving, known as NEPA Gives! Outreach – Center for Community Resources respectfully requests your support during the 24-hour NEPA Gives event on Friday, June 4, 2021. From 12:00 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. on June 4, donations made to Outreach through the NEPA Gives platform will support Outreach programs promoting family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Every gift makes a real difference in the lives of men, women, and children in YOUR community seeking hope for a brighter tomorrow. To learn more about Outreach and the individuals and families we serve, visit the Outreach NEPAGives page at https://www.nepagives.org/organizations/outreachworks. Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization! Sponsored by Scranton Area Community Foundation, The Luzerne Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center (NCAC), NEPA Gives is a one-day online giving extravaganza that’s all about giving back to the community. To learn more about the #NEPAGives campaign, visit nepagives.org.
