Keystone Mission Receives Grant

In June 2023, Keystone Mission received a $1,000 grant from The Giant Company, supporting the ongoing food needs at the Transformation Center. This grant bolsters Keystone Mission’s Make a Meal Program.

“Residents are given weekly responsibilities to cook meals, and we are seeing a positive impact on their mental and physical health. A healthy diet reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves the chances of a sustainable lifestyle,” says Justin Behrens, CEO & Executive Director.

Giant is one of Keystone Mission’s local partnerships that provides residents with the ability to shop locally and reap the benefits of healthy eating.

Scranton Counseling Center Receives Donation

Scranton Counseling Center recently received a $25,000 grant from The Margaret Briggs Foundation to help fund the Center’s blight remediation / parking lot construction capital project.  From left: Kevin Rogers, The Margaret Briggs Foundation; Dr. Sarah Wodder, President and CEO, Scranton Counseling Center; and Douglas Hein, Director of Development, Scranton Counseling Center.

The Dime Bank Supports Lacawac Sanctuary

The Dime Bank donated $9,750.00 to Lacawac Sanctuary to support their hands-on academic enrichment and innovative educational programs. The Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit conservation, research, and education center providing the community with a host of quality environmental, historical, and cultural programs.

$7,500.00 was donated through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission to educate students with important ecological and environmental science lessons, strengthening academic achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. On-site visits to Lacawac, off-site teachings at schools, educational workshops, and curriculum for afterschool sessions are just some of Lacawac’s innovative and educational offerings.

$1,000.00 was donated as a corporate sponsorship, $1,000.00 was donated as an epicurean sponsorship of the 8th Annual Farm to Plate Dinner event, and $250.00 was donated to the Cocktails for Conservation fundraiser. All three help with the Sanctuary’s mission to help promote environmental understanding through education and conservation.

“Many schools have insufficient funding to create their own programs that allow students to explore our diverse lake and forest habitats. Lacawac’s programs are multidisciplinary and geared towards a wide audience. We are happy to support this vital sanctuary that is available not only to our students but to people of all ages,” stated The Dime Bank Vice President Marketing Deb Unflat.

Wayne Bank Supports United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

Jim Donnelly, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce that Wayne Bank has supported the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with a donation through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Scholarship Program.

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties works with a dedicated team of educators and community stakeholders to help better align Early Childhood Education and school districts, while building a strong bridge for families to help ensure every child in our community is supported through all the stages of growth and development. For the past 13 years, the United Way has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) as a Pre-Kindergarten, Educational Improvement, Scholarship, and Opportunity Scholarship organization. Through their support and the generosity of local companies, hundreds of children from Preschool to High School are on the path to a bright future.

Matt Ceruti, Vice President of Resource Development & Campaign with the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, accepted a check in the amount of $5,000 from Senior Vice President and PA Retail Market Manager of Wayne Bank, Joseph Castrogiovanni.

“We are so pleased to make this donation to the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counites. Wayne Bank is proud to support the goals and initiatives of the United Way and feels strongly about investing in our local youth and giving back to our communities,” stated Mr. Donnelly.

The gift was made possible as a result of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program offered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Benefits from Healthcare Symposium

The University of Scranton’s American College Healthcare Executives (ACHE) chapter hosted the 26th Healthcare Symposium on Thursday, March 30, 2023, entitled, Bedside & Administration: A Strategic Alliance. The event featured a panel discussion with several local healthcare professionals. Basket raffles were also part of the event. The proceeds from raffle and ACHE funds raised $1,000 to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.   

The University of Scranton ACHE chapter chose NRCI as their benefiting organization for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to the symposium, they hosted a donut sale in December 2022 and raised $300 for NRCI.  Overall, they raised $1,300 to support the organization.   For more information about the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, please call (570) 904-8808 or visit www.cancernepa.org.   

FNCB Bank Donates Scoreboard to Greater Pittston Area Little League

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce our latest project supporting the community with a $6,000 grant awarded to the Greater Pittston Area Little League for the purchase and installation of a scoreboard at their Duryea Little League field.

“We are proud to partner with a great community organization like the Greater Pittston Area Little League,” said Michael Cummings, FNCB Bank Senior Vice President, Marketing Manager. “The new scoreboard will help enhance the fan and player experience and is a perfect example of FNCB’s commitment to youth sports in NEPA.”

The scoreboard donation represents part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. Through outreach programs, donations, and an employee volunteer network, FNCB is committed to helping the communities they serve.

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.