United Way Honors High Achievers of Toughest Campaign to Date

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties have awarded over 140 area businesses, employee groups, foundations and individuals for outstanding community service during the Annual Community Awards Celebration of Caring.

Acknowledging the work of the countless volunteers whose dedication helped push the United Way campaign to more than $3 million last year. “This was our most challenging campaign to date with the economy, let alone the world, coming to a complete halt with the fear of the pandemic looming throughout our 2020 campaign efforts.  With these difficult times, commitment to serving the people of our community and fighting for the education, financial mobility and health of our community is evident in the numerous awards being presented to these essential members of our community,” commented Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.

With the campaign in full swing for 2021-2022, the United Way wanted to take this time to recognize the charitable efforts from generous community members that helped them achieve what seemed like an insurmountable goal.

The 9th Annual Rising Star Awards were presented to the fifteen small, mid-sized and large businesses with the most new or increased dollars.  The top five companies with one-49 employees were: Cable Associates, Inc.; Foley Law Firm; Genetti Manor; Scranton Primary Health Care Center; and Sordoni Construction Services.  The top five Rising Star companies with 50-99 employees were: Benco Dental Supply Company; DK Trading Diamond K; Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services; One Point; and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA.  The top five Rising Star companies with 100 or more employees were AAA North Penn; The Dime Bank; Fidelity Bank; PNC Bank; and the P&G Paper Products Company – Mehoopany Plant.

The United Way also recognized the top 10 companies that contribute the most between a combination of the company themselves and their employees, known as the Pillars of Giving.  In no specific order, they were: Fidelity Bank; Gentex Corporation; Hendrick Manufacturing; the P&G Paper Products Company – Mehoopany Plant; Peoples Security Bank & Trust; PNC Bank; The Scranton Times-Tribune; UGI Utilities/UGI Energy Service and United Parcel Services/UPS Global.

The William E. Cockerill, Sr. Memorial Labor Award was presented to the Honorable James Connors along with his wife Susan Connors for their dedicated support of the United Way. The Joseph A. Mahon, Esq. Volunteer Award went to long-time United Way volunteers, Amy and Jim Fleming.