The Dime Bank Donates to the Wayne County Community Foundation The Dime Bank donated $50,000.00 to the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Through the WCCF, The Dime Bank’s donation provides significant funding for the Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, Wallenpaupack, and Forest City Regional school districts for STEM programming, nutrition education, math/language arts summer and after school programs, and dual enrollment scholarships for college courses at Johnson College. WCCF Executive Director Ryanne Jennings stated, “This year the schools have some innovative stuff happening including Wallenpaupack’s aviation program. We really appreciate businesses’ support, like The Dime Bank, of the EITC program through the WCCF. This program allows our school districts to provide additional and innovative STEM programming in the district. The Foundation also benefits from the administrative fee for managing the EITC program and is able to provide capacity building, grant making, and fundraising technical assistance to nonprofits in our community year-round.” Wallenpaupack Area High School BCIT Department Chair, WASA Founder/Director Eric Greenberger stated, “The Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program prepares young people in our community for specific careers in the aviation industry. Students can pursue academic pathways that include professional pilot, aviation management, air traffic control, and aviation maintenance. Students that successfully complete the program may continue their studies at local universities and or flight schools while attaining credentials necessary for employment at local, regional, and other airport facilities. EITC funding is used to support instructional equipment, tools, supplies, professional consultation, and other essential building blocks of the program. This unique academic opportunity is a testament to the consistent efforts of The Dime Bank to invest in local community, education, and infrastructure. A strong investment in our young people today, will yield great returns for all of us in the future.”
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation Riverside School District hosted their own colon cancer awareness t-shirt fundraiser in March to sell to students, teachers, and families in the school district as a way to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s colon cancer education and awareness campaign, C.A.S.U.A.L. ( Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day. The fundraiser was led by a Riverside School District Mother, Kim Owens. Kim has been a longtime supporter of C.A.S.U.A.L. Day as her husband Dennis passed away from colon cancer at a young age. She started her own C.A.S.U.A.L. Day team to honor him. The school designed and sold their own colon cancer awareness t-shirt and donated the proceeds to support the work of the Cancer Institute. Several families in the Riverside school district have been affected by colon cancer. Proceeds from C.A.S.U.A.L. Day benefit the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute efforts to raise colorectal cancer awareness and support colorectal cancer screenings for low income, un/underinsured individuals.
HNB Supports WVIA 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 WVIA Public Media. The funds, donated by HNB, will support educational programming. HNB President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., stated, “The accessibility of public media will continue to be important to our communities.” He said, “We are glad that we are able to continue to serve our area by contributing funding for this program.” Kirsten Smith, Grants & Education Officer at WVIA stated, “Thanks to the HNB’s EITC contributions, WVIA will be visiting many children in our shared region with educational programs to benefit their literacy and STEM needs. I will be certain to inform you of that progress and punctuate how impactful your EITC donations always are in doing wonderful things for children and families in our region.” WVIA-FM is a non-commercial, public FM radio station licensed to serve Scranton, Pennsylvania and is the National Public Radio member station for Northeastern Pennsylvania. The station is owned by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association along with its sister television station, WVIA-TV.
FNCB Bank “Twosday” Donations On Tuesday, February 22, 2022 (2.22.22), also known around the world as “Twosday,” FNCB Bank wanted to do something unique for this rare palindrome. Afterall, the date was so rare, another Twosday won’t happen again for another 400 years, in 2422. In addition to every employee wearing custom designed 2.22.22 t-shirts, team members were asked to nominate local charities to receive a special donation of $222.22. Initially the Bank was going to select two winners for obvious reasons but selected four due to the tremendous response. In fact, the Bank selected two “human” winners, Ruth’s Place and the Children’s Advocacy Center and two “non-human” winners, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge and Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. “The response was overwhelming,” said Michael Cummings, FNCB Bank Vice President, Marketing Manager. “We’re glad we were able to have a little fun and help some very deserving organizations at the same time. In 2422 when FNCB is 512 years old, we will do it again.” The Twosday fundraiser was 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.
The Honesdale National Bank Donates to Wayne County Food Pantry Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, took a pie to the face after employees contributed funds to the Wayne County Food Pantry. During an employee appreciation event on national Pi Day, employees at HNB rallied to collect funds to donate to the local food pantry. A threshold of $1,000 was placed that stated Sheridan will take a pie to the face to show his appreciation. Members from the food pantry met at the HNB Corporate Center in Honesdale to receive the donation. Employees went above and beyond, pulling together a total of $2,223, which was then matched by HNB for a grand total of $4,446. This is demonstrative of the HNB Family’s commitment to helping other families in need in our community as inflation impacts local community members. 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. Pictured (L to R): Thomas E. Sheridan, HNB President & CEO, Marcy Swingle, EVP, Director of Human Resources at HNB, Clarissa Wimmers, Wayne County Food Pantry Coordinator, & David Hartung, System of Care Coordinator at the Wayne County Food Pantry.
The Dime Bank Donated $31,000 for Scholarship Opportunities The Dime Bank donated $31,000 through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program to various educational institutions for scholarship opportunities: $18,000 was donated to Penngift Foundation of which $9,500 was allocated for St. Dominic’s Academy for their pre-k through 8th grade programs, $6,000 was allocated to Canaan Christian Academy for their elementary and secondary Christian education program scholarships, and $2,500 was allocated to Grace Ridge School to be used for their programs’ tuition assistance; $7,500 was donated to the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties to be used for pre-kindergarten program scholarships; $2,000 was donated to Yeshiva Beth Moshe for Scranton Hebrew Day school scholarships for Jewish and secular education; $2,000 was donated to Diocese of Scranton for their Catholic schools tuition assistance program; $1,500 was donated to the Greater Pike Community Foundation to be used for pre-k scholarship opportunities at Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) or Green Trees Early Learning Center in Milford, PA. St. Dominic’s Academy Board Member Jen Suhosky said, “St. Dominic’s Academy in Honesdale, PA is celebrating our 10-year anniversary. We are so grateful to The Dime Bank for helping us achieve this goal by generously donating to the EITC program every year. Many of our students and their families benefit greatly from this program.”
Geisinger Receives Donation to Help Launch Innovative Programs A local woman with a passion for programs for improving children’s behavioral health services has donated $1 million to Geisinger’s department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health to help launch innovative programs for young people. Susan McDowell of Selinsgrove made the commitment to create a pediatric behavioral health catalyst fund that will support projects and programs to promote innovation in the behavioral health care of children and adolescents, something she has been personally invested in for more than 20 years. In 2009, McDowell developed House of Hope, a faith-based, residential treatment center for at-risk children that served a five-county area of Montour, Snyder, Columbia, Union and Northumberland. McDowell then partnered with Bloomsburg University to create the McDowell Institute in 2012. The mission is to train education students to deal with at-risk children, giving future teachers tools to handle students’ behavioral health issues. McDowell also has partnered with Geisinger for more than 20 years. Five years ago, through her philanthropy and advice, Geisinger began the Pediatric Primary Care Behavioral Health program and placed 11 pediatric psychologists in pediatric offices. The program has been tremendously successful and, McDowell hopes her recent gift will help Geisinger continue this mission and help recruit talented behavioral health providers to launch similarly innovative and impactful programs. “Compared to 20 years ago, we have more professionals in the field. We have better places to take care of patients, with the development of a pediatric emergency room and in-patient pediatric psychiatric care,” McDowell said. “Those are things I feel really good about contributing to.” Psychiatric caregivers are excited to have the catalyst funds to help address the ongoing adolescent mental health crisis. “It will be exciting to see what our friends and colleagues come up with to build new programs, bring new expertise and partner with the community in new ways to make better behavioral health for our young people,” said Justin Coffey, MD, chair of Geisinger’s department of psychiatry and behavioral health. “Young people are dying from suicide now more than any other cause besides accidents. It’s a crisis. Our children deserve better, our families deserve better, and our families deserve better. It’s time to think differently. Geisinger has a strong tradition of innovation, and we’re ready to bring that expertise and energy to the work of improving behavioral health for young people” Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Chair, Frank Maffei, MD, says the gift will have a huge impact for youth in the community. “We believe behavioral health care should begin in our general pediatrician’s office in close collaboration with our partners in pediatric psychology and psychiatry,” Dr. Maffei said. “Our partnership has improved access and allowed us to be innovative — seeking new ways to provide these vital services such as telehealth and advancing pediatric behavioral health education in our community. We’re on the precipice of significant change and progress in an area that truly has been in crisis.” Addressing the crisis requires more than just one person or one gift, but the entire community working together for prevention, according to McDowell. “Anyone considering a gift to behavioral health should know that it’s money well spent. Write the check, but bring your passion with it,” she said. “I encourage others to begin the conversations with people here. You will be inspired. You will be educated and better prepared to be out there fighting the good fight.”
Lackawanna College Police Academy Receives Donation Lackawanna College staff, along with the family of the late Andrew J. Jones, accept a $7,700 donation from Valley Aviation to the Andrew J. Jones memorial fund. Andrew J. Jones, “AJ” is a 2018 alumnus of the Hazleton Police Academy’s 240th class who passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in 2019. Jones served as a full-time officer for the Swoyersville Police Department and as a part-time officer for the Exeter Police Department.
The Wright Center Supports the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education recently donated $10,000 to the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties in support of its annual campaign. “The United Way and the people we serve every day are grateful for the ongoing support of The Wright Center,” said Gary W. Drapek, president and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. “Our missions to lift up underserved communities in the region are more important than ever as the global pandemic continues to affect many facets of our lives. This donation will lessen the impact of COVID-19 on those who can least afford it.” The Wright Center cares for more than 30,000 patients at its eight primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. The Wright Center for Community Health works to improve the health and welfare of Northeast Pennsylvania by improving access to patient-centric health care services, while The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education builds a sustainable and competent workforce of physicians. Participating in the ceremonial check presentation ceremony at The Wright Center, from left, are Deborah Kolsovsky, chairperson, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ annual campaign; Gary W. Drapek, president and CEO, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties; Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO, The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, and Gerard Geoffroy, chairperson, The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors.
FNCB Supports Students at Allied Services FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced an $85,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to Allied Services dePaul School for Dyslexia. The non-profit school in Scranton serves children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, providing specialized instruction to assist students in identifying their learning style and maximizing their abilities. Students from 19 local school districts attend the full-time school serving grades 1 through 8. FNCB’s donation directly funded student scholarships for families in need. “The work the teachers, staff and administration at the dePaul School do is amazing,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “As a community partner, we are proud to support their efforts and help a large number of students reach their full potential.” The support of Allied Services dePaul School for Dyslexia 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. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative.
