The Honesdale National Bank Foundation Makes Contribution to Leadership Lackawanna

The Honesdale National Bank Foundation has recently made a $2,100 contribution to Leadership Lackawanna. The funds will be used to support their SimSoc Program.

HNB President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., stated, “The Foundation is pleased to assist in creating leaders in our community” He then mentioned, “members of our area are supplied with an assortment of skillsets and qualities, and it is important to provide options to drive their opportunity for impact in today’s society.”

SimSoc is a training program that cultivates an unlimited amount of skills such as communication, trust, problem-solving, empathy, decision-making, interpersonal feelings, and much more. This program will be implemented into their Core program to give participants experience and a better understanding of the complexity of our society.

The Honesdale National Bank Foundation was established to further support the Bank’s commitment to contributing to the growth and development of the communities we serve.


Leadership Lackawanna is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development.  Its six programs – Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Core, Executive, Leadership Collegiate, Leadership Fundamentals, and Welcome Scranton! – enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them to better serve in our communities, workplaces, and organizations. All program curriculum follows the format and standards of all other community leadership programs throughout the United States.  Since its inception, Leadership Lackawanna has graduated more than 2,400 community leaders.

The Honesdale National Bank Foundation is a 501(c)3 entity established by The Honesdale National Bank to engage in community giving initiatives that foster the area’s growth and resources as it has remained committed to since its founding in 1836. The Foundation’s aims to fulfill that mission through initiatives that support the sustainability and strengthening of resources and programming that make local communities thrive and remain desirable places to live, work, and play. The mission will be upheld through the provision of funding for public charities, institutions, schools and other not-for-profit organizations throughout our local area.

The Honesdale National Bank (HNB), established in 1836, is a subsidiary of Honat Bancorp, Inc. HNB 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.

Photo Caption: Nikki Morristell, Leadership Lackawanna, Jill Robinson, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Alissa Weiss, Cash Management Officer at HNB, Andrew Pickett, The Miles Company, Jim Warren, Warren Construction, Gina Suydam, Leadership Wyoming.

The Wright Center Resident Physician Aids Turkey

Dr. Chaitanya Rojulpote, a PGY-3 internal medicine resident and chief resident of research and scholarly activity, has been a witness to the toll a humanitarian crisis can have on people of all ages and knows the important role volunteers play in recovery efforts.

When refugees from Ukraine poured into the border town of Medyka, Poland, in April 2022 seeking safe haven from Russia’s invasion of their country, he flew overseas and teamed with a nongovernmental medical relief organization to render aid in makeshift medical tents. From there, he addressed the medical concerns of young and old, alike, oftentimes offering caring reassurances while tending to their medical needs.

In February 2023, a natural disaster killed tens of thousands of people in Turkey and left untold damages to their infrastructure as entire cities were reduced to rubble due to 7.8 and 7.3 earthquakes and its more than 10,000 aftershocks.

Within two weeks of the earthquake, Dr. Rojulpote purchased airfare to Istanbul, Turkey, where he caught a connecting flight to Adana, Turkey. From there, he drove 4 ½ hours to the earthquake site so he could volunteer his medical services with International Medical Relief, an international nongovernmental organization that provides health care to vulnerable and underserved populations by recruiting health care professionals and doctors.

Dr. Rojulpote and other volunteers provided care to the citizens of Turkey on the ground floor of a local hospital, before a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the region and compromised its structural integrity, requiring the team to move their care to a medical camp. He was 12 minutes from the epicenter of this earthquake, which caused buildings in the area to collapse. He treated trauma acute and chronic medical conditions and trauma cases.

The Hatay Province, where he was based, also straddled the border with war-torn Syria. Volunteers and residents in Turkey could hear the far-off military activity from the neighboring country.

Dr. Rojulpote will make a presentation about his humanitarian mission on Tuesday, April 11 at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice. The PowerPoint presentation features videos and photographs of the devastation and heart-felt messages from Turkish residents, that when translated, state: “We will build here again.”

To donate, please go to TheWrightCenter.org/donations-for-turkey. Donations will also be accepted at the door before and after the presentation

The Salvation Army to Host Annual Dinner

The Salvation Army of Scranton will be having their Annual Dinner Wednesday May 17th at the Radisson Honoring Chris DiMattio with the Distinguished Community Award. Robert (Bob) Durkin, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce will be the main speaker. Mark Hiller of WBRE/WYOU will be Master of Ceremonies. Reservations can be made by calling the Salvation Army at 570-969-6399. Sponsorships and Ads can also be purchased.  

The University of Scranton Spring Events

In recognition of Pope Francis’s call toward environmental sustainability, The University of Scranton’s Sustainability Office has chosen the theme “The People’s Planet, Climate Justice” for this spring’s Earth Day celebration. The theme of climate justice focuses on the merging of civil rights and climate change to draw attention to the effects of environmental changes on different communities. Many of the University’s offices and departments have come together to offer numerous educational events in honor of Earth Day and Scranton’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

Events are open to the public, free of charge, unless otherwise indicated.

This year’s Environmental Essay Contest is open to all area students in grades 5-12. The essay will revolve around the theme “The People’s Planet, Climate Justice.” Submissions will be accepted until April 3, and winners will be announced at the Evening of Environmental Science event on April 20. For more details, visit the contest webpage.

World Water Day will be celebrated through an interactive event at the University’s DeNaples Center on March 22. Informative activities and displays will help raise awareness of water usage and its importance. March 22 will also start Plant Based Meals Week for University students, in which the positive impacts of eating green will be promoted at meals offered at the Fresh Food Company.

Tonyehn Verkitus, executive director at Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, will discuss environmental factors and how disparities in communities jeopardize health and well-being at a Community-Based Learning talk on March 23. The talk begins at 11:45 a.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center.

On March 30, the film “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” will be screened at the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center at 7:30 p.m. The film shows many successful changes made through environmental activism and caring for all people. Vandana Shiva is a wonderful example of a woman’s lifelong leadership and activism that has improved the lives of millions of people around the world.  A very interesting, entertaining, and inspiring movie.

On April 14, an Environmental Art Show address will be given by artist Stephanie Williams in the Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library, beginning at 4:30 p.m. William’s work includes pictures of nature, people, creatures, sounds and energies. The library will also host an Environmental Art Show featuring environmental art of members of the University community from April 14 to April 25 in the Heritage Room during library hours.

On April 17, Nicole Negowetti, former clinical instructor at the Harvard Animal Law and Policy Clinic, will discuss her work concerning sustainable agricultural procedures. The talk, offered by the University’s Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities, begins at 5:30 p.m. at Brennan Hall, The Pearn Auditorium.

The Earth Day Fair will take place the following day, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center. The event will host University student displays as well as, displays from university departments, local non-profits and governmental offices, which will provide information about sustainable practices and products.

The Evening of Environmental Science, set for April 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center, will feature a display of essays received for the Earth Day Essay Contest, as well interactive environmental displays and activities. Awards for the Essay Contest will be presented at the event.

Earth Day celebrations conclude with a three-hour kayaking trip on the Susquehanna River for students on May 6, hosted by the University’s Sustainability Office and the Society for Sustainability and Conservation.

Visit The University of Scranton’s sustainability webpage for information about the University’s sustainability efforts and Earth Day events, or call the Office of Sustainability at 570-941-6267.

The University of Scranton Receives $2,000 Grant

The University of Scranton Community English as a Second Language (ESL) Program received a $2,000 critical needs grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase textbooks and workbooks to serve the growing number of community members who seek to improve their English. Through this program, which is free to participants, University of Scranton students tutor local refugees and immigrants in English as a second language at the Language Learning Center, located in O’Hara Hall on the University’s campus.

The textbooks will expand the capacity and improve the quality of the Community ESL Program through audio and video content, reading and writing exercises, workbooks and more.

The University’s World Languages and Cultures Department oversees the University’s Scranton Community ESL Program. Yamile Silva, Ph.D., professor of Spanish, serves as the department’s chair.

Commonwealth Health Donation to Local Organizations

In recognition of National Doctors’ Day on March 30th, Commonwealth Health hospitals Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton are honoring their physicians by donating twenty-five hundred dollars to the St. Joseph’s Center and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA in Scranton.
This day is designated to thank doctors for their heroic compassion in our time of need. This is an opportunity to pause and recognize their tireless efforts and commitment to your health and the health of your loved ones.
This year, Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital physicians elected to support the community by donating to nonprofit organizations in lieu of gifts that the hospitals would provide to them in honor of Doctors’ Day.
“On Doctors’ Day, and every day, we are thankful to work with skilled and compassionate providers.” said Michael Curran, CEO of Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton. “We are grateful for their contributions, sacrifices, and unwavering care provided to the patients our hospitals and clinics treat each year throughout the community.”
Earlier this month, the physicians voted to determine what organizations would receive the donations and they elected to help the St. Joseph’s Center and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA in Scranton. United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA’s purpose is to meet the needs of local low-income families, seniors, youth, and new immigrants, while also empowering them to attain self-sufficiency. Rooted in the core values of care, concern, compassion and commitment, the Saint Joseph’s Center humbly serves people who are diagnosed with intellectual disability and those who seek pregnancy support, adoption assistance, outpatient therapy or medical day care services.

Settlers Hospitality Raises over $5,000 for Foundation

Settlers Hospitality hosted their annual Chili and Wing Cookoff at Silver Birches in March. The event drew over 300 people and raised more than $5,000 for the Settlers Cares Foundation.

Over 20 of the best chefs from local restaurants, schools, and organizations, as well as talented home cooks, dished out their best wing and chili recipes to be named tops in each category. Event goers sampled all the entries and voted for the People’s Choice Award. Ticket sales, along with a 50/50 raffle, netted $5,118 for the Settlers Cares Foundation. The newly formed non-profit provides short-term, emergency support to Settlers Hospitality employees and affiliates experiencing hardship.

“This was our first fundraising endeavor and it’s incredibly gratifying that the community came out and showed such amazing support,” states Janna Genzlinger, Settlers Cares Foundation Executive Director. “We’re honored and humbled by the success of the event, which will enable us to assist our co-workers and affiliate employees in their darkest hour.”  The Foundation provides tax-free grants to eligible workers in need due to an unexpected life event such as natural disaster, illness or death. Upcoming fundraisers benefitting Settlers Cares Foundation include a Tent Sale on May 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Settlers Inn featuring upcycled goods. A gala is also slated for November and a concert in December. For more information, visit SettlersCares.org

The Waverly Community House to Host Waverly Waddle

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, The Waverly Community House will be hosting the 31st Annual Waverly Waddle. This year, 25% of all registration fees will go to the Countryside Conservancy. This event will take place at 1115 North Abington Road, Waverly PA 18471. Check in between 8:00AM-8:45AM. The race will start at 9:00AM.

The Waverly Waddle is the Comm’s annual 5k walk/run beginning and ending at the Waverly Community House. The “Waddle” travels an approximate 3-mile route through scenic Waverly. It takes place each year in May on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. It is an official electronic chip-timed race with awards given out to top finishers in each age/sex division.This long-standing community event, which signals a spirited kick-off to summer always takes place, rain or shine! Official race t-shirts are given out to those who register early. Registrations are accepted in advance HERE and on the morning of the race. Registration is required by April 13th in order to receive a free t-shirt.

Cost: Advance Registration-$20 per person
$12-Age 12 and under
Age 6 and under is FREE
$35 for a family of 3 or more

Cost: Day-Of Registration– $25 per person
$15– Age 12 and under
Age 6 and under is FREE
$40 for a family of 3 or more

Race Contact: Kathy Wright
Kathy@waverlycomm.org
(570) 586-8191

Register: HERE or at neparunner.com