Day of Caring Returns after Two-Year Hiatus

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is pleased to announce the return of the Nancy Jackson Memorial Day of Caring, Thursday, September 1st, 2022. “Day of Caring was always a day we circled on our calendar,” said Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. “Canvassing Lackawanna and Wayne County with a band of volunteers eager to participate in community service projects exemplifies the United Way. A community resource for community resources.”

As years past, the 28th Annual Nancy Jackson Memorial Day of Caring, kicks off The United Way’s Campaign for Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. “It’s always been an energizing opening to an essential campaign season that helps so many vital programs in our community throughout the upcoming year,” added Drapek.

United Way’s Day of Caring is named after long-time philanthropist and friend of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, Nancy Jackson Matthews. Since

Nancy began Day of Caring 28 years ago, the program flourished under her guidance and leadership, receiving state-wide and national recognition. More than 15,000 volunteers have contributed in excess of 75,000 hours to complete more than 1,000 projects in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. Nancy helped coordinate more than $2 million worth of in-kind projects. However, it is the tens of thousands of individuals in need whose lives have been touched by Nancy’s passion and dedication that are her true legacy to our community. “We are humbled to continue honoring Nancy’s imprint on this community, so many years after her passing,” said Barry Snyder, Vice President of Community Outreach of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.

Companies, volunteers and agencies are encouraged to contact Barry Snyder, Vice President of Community Outreach, bsnyder@uwlc.net, to see how they can get involved. Whether it’s a company encouraging their employees to perform a day of community service, members of the community that’d like to volunteer their time or an agency requesting help with a project that enables them to continue their mission to move forward. All inquiries are welcomed.

“We’ve been gearing up for this day for over two years now. We are excited to safely welcome back everyone to a fulfilling day of service and community,” Drapek said.

CAC/NEPA’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” Campaign will Start April 1, 2022

In recognition of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA) will initiate its “Pinwheels for Prevention” Campaign on Friday, April 1, 2022. The CAC/NEPA team members and volunteers will plant pinwheels on the lawn of the Lackawanna County Courthouse from noon through 4 p.m.

The pinwheel symbolizes a transformation of awareness into action. It became the national public symbol to raise awareness of the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. It connotates children’s playful, cheerful, joyous nature and is a physical reminder of the happy, carefree childhoods all children deserve.

This April, you can make a difference in the lives of the children we serve by sponsoring a Pinwheel to be planted at the Lackawanna Courthouse lawn or hosting a pinwheel garden at your home or work to support child abuse awareness. The largest pinwheel garden will be planted at the Lackawanna County Courthouse lawn and remain there for the entire month of April. Each pinwheel will represent a child victim of abuse or neglect that received services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2021, the CAC/NEPA provided599 children with the services needed to begin their healing journey and prevent trauma from lasting effects on their lives. The public can sponsor an individual pinwheel or order their garden by visiting: https://cacnepa.networkforgood.com/projects/152748-2022-pinwheels-for-prevention.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA)is a private, non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to provide excellence in assessing and treating child abuse and neglect. The designated child abuse center for Lackawanna County, the CAC/NEPA, also provides medical assessments and child forensic interviews for victims of abuse and neglect and coordinates a multidisciplinary team response to child abuse and neglect in Lackawanna and surrounding counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania.Since opening its doors in 1998, The Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA has helped more than 18,000 children and adolescents.

All funds raised will further the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s mission.For more information about the CAC/NEPA, please call the center at 570-969-7313 or visit the CAC/NEPA’s website: www.cacnepa.org.

Lackawanna College Environmental Center Receives $5,000 Donation from FNCB Bank

FNCB Bank presents a $5,000 Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to Lackawanna College. The donation will help support the K-12 program at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center. The center provides student programs that offer unique, educational opportunities for children and teenagers on a variety of environmental and conservation topics. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. From left: Mariellen Walsh, Lackawanna College Associate Vice President for College; Laurel Radzieski, Lackawanna College Manager of Grant Strategies; and Deb Kennedy, FNCB Bank Vice President, Retail Market Manager.

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $5,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to Lackawanna College. The donation will help support the K-12 program at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center. The center provides student programs that offer unique, educational opportunities for children and teenagers on a variety of environmental and conservation topics.

Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative.

The support of Lackawanna College 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.