Fall Classic Charities Donates $8,000 to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Fall Classic Charities Golf Invitational was held in mid-September 2020 at Sand Springs Golf Club in Drums. The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute received $8,000 as one of the benefitting organizations. The golf tournament was a captain and crew scramble format and golfers had food and beverages throughout the day and chances to win giveaways. Since 2011, the Fall Classic Charities has raised over $156,000 for local organizations in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Johnson College Announces Accomplishments of Its Animal and Health Science Programs Johnson College is proud share accomplishments achieved in the past academic year by its Health and Animal Science programs. The Physical Therapist Assistant program has been granted accreditation affirmation for ten years from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The Veterinary Technology program’s 2020 graduates received a 100% pass rate on the Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE). This score places the program’s three-year pass rate at 94%. The Radiologic Technology program’s 2020 graduates received a pass rate of 95% on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Radiography Exam. Johnson College graduates surpassed the 2019 national pass rate average by 6%. “This past year our faculty and students faced many challenges, but they persevered by sharpening their skills to advance to new levels,” said Barb Byrne M.Ed., RT (R)(MR), Johnson College Associate Vice President of Faculty. “As these pass rate scores demonstrate, our graduates’ are well prepared as they enter the workforce of many of our region’s essential industries.” For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Crystal Windows Social Media Presence Expands, Enhances Connections For several years, national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems has developed its social media presence to supplement traditional marketing and communication methods such as print and radio advertising, email, and direct mail. This year, with pandemic shutdowns and reductions of in-person meetings, Crystal has found that its efforts with social media platforms have paid off greatly to keep trade customers, design and construction professionals, and suppliers up to date with the latest company developments at this critical time. “Our steady growth in social media usage and building our following on each social media platform laid the groundwork for the virtual world of 2020,” said Steve Chen, President of Crystal. “We have been able to stay conveniently connected with our broad national network, and even add new followers as a result of our trade customers sharing Crystal news with their clients.” While Crystal has had a website for over 20 years, the company started its online social presence with Facebook 10 years ago, and has since added Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and a dedicated You Tube channel. The company posts a wide range of news, events, and information on each site. The latest large and notable projects across the country are featured regularly, with eye-catching photos and a brief description of the products supplied. New product introductions, product features, available accessories, and special sales promotions are also common subjects for Crystal social media. Beyond products and projects, Crystal uses its social media sites to highlight customers and employees, tout company achievements, and announce job opportunities. “Crystal customers and employees enjoy being included in our postings, it’s great for morale,” said Isabella Leung, HR Manager for Crystal. “Also, our positive postings reflect the achievement-oriented work environment we offer, so our job postings often get immediate results.” Working with several different social media platforms allows Crystal to match follower preferences and target news best suited for each platform. “LinkedIn tends to be mainly business-focused, whereas Twitter is trendier and more people-focused, and You Tube which focuses on in-depth information or instruction usually requires more viewer time,” said Chen. “Trade customers, suppliers, architects, and other construction professionals all tend to have their own preferences, so we try to cover all the bases with our social media. Using multiple platforms allows our sales and marketing reps to connect directly with various audiences in their manner of choice.” Crystal social media presence supplements more traditional digital, print, and audio methods of promoting and advertising the company. In addition to frequent social media postings, Crystal: hosts a robust, frequently updated, comprehensive, user-friendly websitedistributes a quarterly digital newsletter to customers, suppliers, and affiliatesshares news releases on the company which are also frequently carried by fenestration, real estate, business, trade, and general audience publicationssends out email notifications to customers about product enhancements, operational changes, sales, pricing, and servicesadvertises in print, online, and radio outletsutilizes online hiring platforms to recruit new employeesdelivers continuing education webinars and instructional seminars on many fenestration topics. To keep up with the latest Crystal happenings, use these social media links: Crystal NY HeadquartersCrystal California (West Coast Affiliate)Facebook:@CWNDS@CrystalWindowCATwitter:@DoorCrystal@CrystalWindowCAInstagram:@CrystalWindowandDoor@CrystalWindowCALinkedIn:@crystal-window-&-door-systems@crystal-pacific-window-&-door-system-incYou Tube:@Crystal Window & Door Systems NYCn/a For more information, you may also contact your Crystal sales representative or Crystal’s Marketing Department at marketing@crystalwindows.com / 800-472-9988 x3250.
Settlers Hospitality Delivers Holiday Cheer to Employees and the Community Each year the chefs and managers of Settlers Hospitality host thousands of guests. This week they took some time to serve their fellow co-workers and neighbors some holiday cheer. The hospitality group prepared, packed and distributed 1,300 holiday meals to employees and members of the community. “Holidays apart, Christmas from afar. We will be together soon as we keep each other in our hearts,” read the message from CEO/Owner Justin Genzlinger to his employees announcing the gesture. “Since our restaurants are closed to indoor dining due to the state’s COVID-19 mandates, we won’t get to see a lot of our staff,” explained Genzlinger. “We wanted to support our team members while they’re celebrating at home and hopefully make the holiday season a little easier for them. It’s been a challenging year. Our staff has adapted and faced issues we never imagined. We’re proud to extend this holiday meal as a token of our gratitude.” Dinners served up to four people. The menu boasted baked ham with an apricot and lemon glaze, herb roasted potatoes, brown sugar roasted carrots plus bread and dessert from Cocoon Coffeehouse and Bakery. About 325 Settlers Hospitality employees picked up their meals at either The Settlers Inn in Hawley, Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale or The Sayre Mansion in Bethlehem. After dinners were delivered to the staff, Settlers Hospitality donated the remainder of the food to workers of other area restaurants, Wayne County Human Services, Pike County Corrections and Hawley Borough VIP families. As restaurants continue to struggle amid coronavirus restrictions, purchasing gift cards and ordering take out are the best ways to support these vital local businesses. For more information, visit SettlersHospitality.com
Scranton Tomorrow Downtown Scranton Dining Guide With convenient curbside and takeout options, it’s easy (and delicious) to dine local during the holidays. This guide will connect you to websites, social media, dining options, and delivery services for dining establishments in the Business District. From fine dining to pub fare, there is something for every taste. Click here to access more than 60 restaurants in the Downtown Scranton Business District.
Congressman Cartwright to Host Virtual Meeting for NEPA PPE Suppliers Interested in Selling to the U.S. Department of Defense On Friday, January 29, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) will host a virtual meeting for NEPA suppliers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) interested in suppling PPE to the Department of Defense. The event will feature procurement “how to” presentations by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and Tobyhanna Army Depot. WHAT: Virtual Meeting with Congressman Matt Cartwright on Supplying PPE to Defense Department WHEN: January 29, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. WHERE: To receive admission to the online event, send a request email to PPE.event@mail.house.gov. In the email, please fully identify the supplying entity/company AND the representative(s) from that business who would like to join the virtual event. Congressman Cartwright’s office will respond. For more information, view the full press release here.
PennDOT’s District 4 Continues Tradition in 2020 Even in this year of COVID 19 PennDOT’s District 4 continued there annual Christmas Wish Program. Every year for the past several years, District 4 has sponsored their annual Christmas Wish Program. The goal was to provide 42 people both children and adults from the Domestic Violence Center in Luzerne County and 50 children from Head Start in Lackawanna County and 2 angels from the Lackawanna County Adopt an Angel Program with a gift from Santa. The committee consisted of:Loni Shalkowski – CoordinatorJennifer Borino – CoordinatorLori BieberMarsha BolandKaitlyn DrumhellerDawn FoleyAnna FuhrJessica KalinoskiSean KaneJulianne LawsonAmy LolliStephanie MarekJoseph Marichak
Mail Delays Affecting Critical Year-End Fundraising One of the strategic pillars of The Scranton Area Community Foundation is the importance of serving as a partner to nonprofit and charitable organizations serving our local communities. To do that, we take seriously the connections we have with nonprofit organizations, and prioritize the importance of knowing the needs and challenges they are facing so that we can best serve them in our role as a steward of charitable funds, a grantmaker, a resource, and a catalyst for change and growth. In a critical time of the year during a particularly difficult year, where nonprofit organizations are often relying on community generosity to help fill the gaps in meeting their operational capabilities, many nonprofits in the NEPA region are facing a challenge: Mail Delays. Some organizations have mailed their annual appeal in early December and are aware that donors did not receive it yet. Others who have mailed it in November and early December say that they are experiencing significant delays in gifts being returned. Spiking coronavirus cases and unprecedented volumes of mail and e-commerce orders are to blame for the delays in the mail system. Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation has heard about challenges faced by multiple organizations. “Nonprofit organizations supporting human services, children and youth, the environment, animal welfare, and other focus areas have indicated that they are experiencing challenges in fundraising resulting from mail delays,” she added. “Interested donors shouldn’t assume that organizations aren’t in need just because they may not have received a request in the mail.” “December is typically a very strong month for us where we receive nearly a third of needed funds for the year. With mail delays, donations are simply not coming in. If we don’t have the funds, the animals are the ones who suffer most,” stated Indra Lahiri of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. “Right now, animals and humans are suffering more than ever, and they rely on nonprofits to keep them going. I urge everyone in our community that can do so to donate to your favorite charities now. Don’t wait for their usual letter, it may not get to you anytime soon, Please donate online to help your favorite organizations continue their life saving work,” stated Lahiri. Craig Lukatch, President of Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center, has also seen delays with donations reaching the nonprofit in Lake Ariel. “This year has been very difficult on all nonprofit organizations, especially Lacawac Sanctuary. We have seen significant delays with donations reaching us and at this time of year every donation counts. Our fundraising annual appeal went out in November and we are just now starting to see donors sending in their gifts. I’m sure many other nonprofits are seeing the same return,” Lukatch stated. “Those who are looking to make a year-end gift should contact the nonprofit to let them know a contribution is on its way or go to their website to make a donation online.” More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.
