On Monday, March 18th the McGrath family presented the Greater Scranton YMCA with an $18,000 donation, which represents proceeds from the 4th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament was held on September 15, 2023, at Glen Oak Country Club.

Tournament proceeds will support the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program, Summer Scholars. Summer Scholars is a free research-based and research-proven six-week summer learning program. The goal of the program is to get elementary students on track to read at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. In summer 2024, the program will serve rising first, second and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts.

Participants’ days consist of 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning followed by lunch and enrichment in the afternoon. Enrichment activities include field trips, as well as trips to the Greater Scranton YMCA for use of the pools. The program is instructed by certified teachers and YMCA staff.

“We are happy to provide support to the Y’s Summer Scholars program,” said Betsy McGrath Ardizoni, Board Member, Greater Scranton YMCA, and daughter of the late Harry P. McGrath, Esq. “Our dad believed in the importance of children receiving the necessary tools to succeed in school, and this program does just that.”

The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the Harry P. McGrath, Esq. Memorial Fund, established in May 2022 by Harry’s family to support the charitable causes and organizations important to him including the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Loss Prevention Program.

“The Greater Scranton YMCA is so grateful to the McGrath family for their continued support of our YMCA and our Summer Scholars Program,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The generosity of tournament participants and sponsors continues to amaze us. This funding makes such an impact on the lives of the children benefitting from Summer Scholars and supports our mission of keeping the program free for families.”

For more information about Summer Scholars, contact Helen Cruser, Education Director, at hcruser@gsymca.org. For more information about the Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament, contact Betsy McGrath Ardizoni at ecm0588@gmail.com.