Commonwealth Health Scranton Donates Peanut Butter

To help address hunger in our community and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton have donated more than 900 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to CEO Weinberg Food Bank and Bread Basket of NEPA.


All of that peanut butter was donated by Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital employees, medical staff members, volunteers and The Wright Center during the recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive. According to Feeding America, 12.7 percent of residents in the Lackawanna County struggle to put food on the table. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive was launched to help support individuals who are facing food insecurity, which is a social determinant of health.


“With the rising cost of basic life necessities such as food, more and more individuals and families are reaching out for help just to get by. Local food banks are struggling to keep up with this increasing demand.” Said Greg Drapek, Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton board member. “ The success of the Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive will not only provide a helping hand to so many in need, but is also indicative of the kindness and long standing support of our community that has been the hallmark of our employees.”
Peanut butter is one of the most requested items for food banks because it is highly nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items. Other foods needed by food banks include non-perishable items such as cereals, pasta, and canned foods such as soups, vegetables, beans or fruit.
People can support CEO Weinberg Food Bank and Bread Basket of NEPA by volunteering their time, hosting a food drive, donating food and/or money.

Johnson College Receives Donation in Memory of Employee

Recently, Mike Yushinski ’95 and his wife Melissa Yushinski ’11, both Johnson College alums and owners of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services in Clarks Summit, PA, donated a 2011 2500 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to Johnson College in memory of the company’s foreman and fellow Johnson College alum, the late Gary Muckin ’84.

Johnson College will use the donated van in community building trades technology services, and campus projects.

Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services in Clarks Summit, PA, donated a 2011 2500 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to Johnson College in memory of the company’s foreman and Johnson College alum, the late Gary Muckin ’84. Left to right: Mark Chappell ’92, Senior Maintenance Mechanic, Johnson College; Karen Baker, Sr. Director of College Advancement, Johnson College; Melissa Yushinski ’11, owner of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services; Mike Yushinski ’95, owner of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services; and Roger Orlandini, Associate Vice-President of Facilities and Campus Projects, Johnson College.

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 17 associate degrees, four academic certificates, and over 30 continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives $2,605 Donation

The Mountain View Girls’ Basketball Team hosted a fundraiser on Monday, January 30 during their basketball game. The event featured a memory board, a 50/50 raffle, a Cotton Candy and Sno Cones sale, and a variety of raffle baskets. 

This event raised $2,605 for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.  The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a local nonprofit whose mission is to ease the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Mountain View Girls’ Basketball team hopes to continue this event next year.  

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation Funds

The TEGNA Foundation awarded $7,000 to the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The funds will help support the Cancer Institute’s Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps to provide community-based cancer screenings to individuals who are not up to date with breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer screenings. The TEGNA Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in communities served by TEGNA Inc. The Community Grant program serves to address local community needs. TEGNA Inc. is the parent company of our local ABC TV affiliate, WNEP-TV.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation

The Spirit of Hope Celebration Board of Ambassadors presented the Cancer Institute with a $54,789 check from their 2022 Spirit of Hope event.  

“On behalf of the Ambassadors who truly exhibit the ‘Spirit of Hope’ we are thrilled to present you with these funds to help individuals receive early detection and free screenings,” said Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Board of Ambassadors. 

The Board of Ambassadors, a group of community volunteers, hosted the tenth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November 2022 at Mohegan Pennsylvania. More than 300 people were in attendance. The event featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction. Bob Durkin was the Tribute to Courage Honoree.  

Proceeds from the event benefited the Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings. 

FNCB Bank Donates to Hazleton YMCA Project

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, today announced a $10,000 Neighborhood Assistance Program/Special Program Priorities (NAP-SPP) donation to the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA for their Hazleton YMCA Childcare Center Revitalization Project.

The project, when completed, is expected to provide daycare and early childhood education services to the underserved population in Hazleton.

“The need for early childhood services is great,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “We are pleased to play a small part in this extremely important project to benefit the Hazleton community.”

Including the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA donation, FNCB Bank has made NAP-SPP commitments to seven different community projects in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation

The Plains Township Police Department collaborated with Futuristic Innovative Graphics in Kingston to specially design t-shirts as a breast cancer awareness fundraiser in October 2022. They raised $759 to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local organization focused on easing the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania. It was important to the organizers to keep the proceeds local.

Community members were able to purchase t-shirts online through Futuristic Innovative Graphics website. The fundraiser was promoted on social media through the police department, graphics company and the Cancer Institute’s designated pages. The Plains Township Police Department plan to host this fundraiser again in fall 2023.  

HNB Makes Donates to Friendship House

The Honesdale National Bank has recently made a $20,000 contribution to Friendship House through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Tax Credit. The funds will help offset the cost of architects and engineers for their building project in Scranton, PA.

HNB President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., stated, “We are glad to make this contribution to support an organization who truly cares about our community members.” He continued, “Friendship House gives many individuals, with physical or mental disabilities, a chance to maximize their well-being with proper support and care.”

The building project in Downtown Scranton is a personal care center. This facility will provide mental health, substance abuse, and primary physical health care.


Friendship House is dedicated to serving families and their children with autism, with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties, and/or who are traumatized by loss, abuse, or neglect. Friendship House is also dedicated to serving adults with mental illness and/or developmental/intellectual disabilities. Their dedication manifests itself by providing individualized services which promote resiliency in children and recovery in adults, and maximize physical, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being of those they serve.

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. HNB is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender with NMLS ID # 446237.

Photo Caption (from left to right): Ray Ceccotti, SVP, Business and Relationship Development Manager at HNB & Alex J. Hazzouri, President/Chief Executive Officer of Friendship House.

HNB Contributes to Construction Project

The Honesdale National Bank has made a $124,250 contribution to the Wayne County YMCA. The funds will go towards phase one on their construction project which includes, development and completion of engineering design, site development plans, development approvals, sewage, and PennDOT approvals of highway access.

HNB President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., stated, “We are pleased to support our local YMCA as a financial partner forth is impactful project.” He continued, “It is an organization that puts forth a facility and programs for our community, which can be influential for development for generations to come.”

Located at 105 Park Street in Honesdale, and in communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun, and shared interests.  As a result, millions of youth, adults, and families are receiving the support, guidance, and resources needed to achieve greater health and well-being for the spirit, mind, and body.

Paul Edwards, board member of the Wayne County YMCA, mentioned, “Every journey begins with a first step. This exciting new building project for the YMCA is a first step in enhancing our services to the local community. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Honesdale National Bank. We so appreciate HNB’s community spirit and the great support as we initiate this project.”

The funding has been contributed through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) managed through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

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. HNB is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender with NMLS ID # 446237.

Photo Caption (from left to right): YMCA Board of Directors, Sherman Bronson, Tim Minella & Elise Burlein, YMCA Board of Trustees Eric Linde, Paul Meagher, Honat Bancorp, Inc. Board of Directors, Bill Schweighofer, Chairman of Honat Bancorp, Inc. & Thomas E. Sheridan, President and CEO, The Honesdale National Bank.