FNCB Bank Donates $15,000 to the NEIU 19 Core Foundation FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $15,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to the NEIU 19 CORE Foundation. The NEIU 19 is an educational agency that supports the diverse needs of all learners by collaborating with families, educators, and community partners to provide innovative leadership, programs, and services. FNCB’s donation will help the foundation fund the afterschool & competition program, Arts Alliance, Technology & the Arts, and STEAM Camp programs for the 20 school districts served by the NEIU. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed $3,000,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative.The support of the NEIU 19 CORE Foundation 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.
Allied Services Receives Donation from Scranton Region Antique Automobile Club Representatives from the Scranton Region Antique Automobile Club of America (SRAACA) recently presented Allied Services Integrated Health System with a $1,500 donation to benefit pediatric patients with disabilities served by the health system. The funds were raised at The Club’s 52nd Annual Car Show and Flea Market held July 16th on the grounds of Allied Services’ Corporate Center in Clarks Summit. This year’s show featured more than 150 antique automobiles.
Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce Donates to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual golf tournament on Monday August 7, 2023. The event gives Chamber members the opportunity to spend a day networking on the green, with a portion of the day’s proceeds benefiting a local charitable organization. The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) was selected as the featured nonprofit for this year’s tournament. Golfers raised $3,100 through basket raffles and putting contest. The proceeds will support NRCI’s mission of easing the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania and benefit their programs and services. “Thank you to all of our golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and golf committee members that helped to raise awareness and funds for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, our featured non-profit this year at the 2023 Annual Chamber Golf Tournament. We are so happy to be able to spread the word and support such a wonderful organization serving our community,” said Ahmad Ali, Director of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Steamtown National Historic Site Receives Generous Donation to Restore Locomotive A generous financial donation to Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is helping fund the restoration of the Atlantic Coast Line #1901, a steam era diesel locomotive in the park’s collection. Steamtown NHS was one of six railroad museums identified to receive funds from the estate of Eric J. Yankovich, a longtime rail enthusiast. The Atlantic Coast Line #1901 is a SW-1 class switching locomotive manufactured by the EMC Division of General Motors Corporation in 1939. Its restoration will help enhance the live railroad experience, a key component of the mission of Steamtown NHS. In addition to carrying out switching operations, #1901 may be used to provide short distance passenger rides throughout the rail yard. “On behalf of the National Park Service, I would like to thank the family of Mr. Yankovich for his generosity and support of these treasured and historic places.” said Steamtown NHS Superintendent Cherie Shepherd. “I’d also like to thank the Iron Horse Society for helping fulfill Mr. Yankovich’s wishes and facilitating the transfer of funds to the park for this important restoration work.” After graduating from Drexel University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Yankovich took a position with the United States Navy as an engineer. While employed by the Navy, he continued his studies, attained a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and became a licensed professional engineer. Yankovich eventually left the Navy and formed a structural analytics consulting firm that he managed until retirement. The contract for the restoration was awarded to McHugh Locomotive & Equipment. The work is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. The park’s philanthropic partner, the Iron Horse Society, also supported this project by choosing a Lehigh Valley Railroad paint scheme for the #1901 restoration.
NEPA Gives Raises Over $1.2 Million in 24 Hours for 227 Nonprofits On Thursday, June 1, into Friday, June 2, 2023—in just 24 hours—227 local nonprofit organizations across eight counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania worked together to collectively raise a total of $1,211,399 for the fourth annual NEPA Gives. This year, a record-breaking number of donors contributed to the total amount raised, with 6,211 donors taking part in NEPA Gives.Promoted as the largest philanthropy event in Northeastern Pennsylvania, NEPA Gives was hosted by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with The Luzerne Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Carbon County Community Foundation, Posture Interactive, and other community sponsors to raise awareness about the critical work nonprofit organizations carry out across the region and to help charitable organizations raise much-needed funds.Adding to the excitement, to celebrate NEPA Gives, the Scranton Area Community Foundation also hosted a free, all-ages in-person event on Friday evening, June 2, at the Hilton Scranton Conference Center to coincide with First Friday Scranton. The ‘Give Gathering’ celebration included live entertainment including music by Black Tie Stereo, giveaways, real-time and live-streamed updates on NEPA Gives with Chris Strub, known nationally as ‘The Giving Day Guy’, and opportunities for the general public to meet many of the participating nonprofits. A NEPA Gives kickoff event was also hosted by the Luzerne Foundation, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Scranton Area Community Foundation on Thursday evening, June 1, at Rodano’s in Wilkes Barre. There was also a NEPA Gives event at the Settlers Inn in Hawley, sponsored by the Settlers Cares Foundation in partnership with Wayne County Community Foundation and Pike County Community Foundation.Additionally, to celebrate the giving day, Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti made an official proclamation declaring June 1-2, 2023 as NEPA Gives Day.“NEPA Gives is all about supporting the charities that are doing important work right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We had a record-breaking year with over 6,200 generous donors supporting NEPA Gives this year providing support for hundreds of local charitable organizations,” she added.Over 6,211 donors generously supported NEPA Gives. NEPA Gives was also generously supported by numerous sponsors including Coterra, Hawk Family Foundation, Moses Taylor Foundation, Fidelity Bank, Neighborly, Lamar Advertising, Schwartz Mack Foundation, Women in Philanthropy, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, and many others.“People that want to move here, come here, or stay here in Northeastern Pennsylvania want to know that this is a community that cares and the entire network of social service activity speaks to that and the generosity of this community,” said Bob Durkin, President and CEO of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “It really all comes together beautifully in NEPA Gives.” Hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes and matching incentives were awarded to participating nonprofits for notable achievements, all sponsored by generous businesses, foundations, and donors across the region. This was the fourth year for NEPA Gives. To date, NEPA Gives has raised over $4.1 million for hundreds of local nonprofit organizations in Northeastern Pennsylvania since it began in 2020. NEPA Gives 2024 is planned for Friday, June 7, 2024.To learn more about #NEPAGives, visit nepagives.org or contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager of the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.
FNCB Bank Donates to Vocational Training Programs at Allied Services FNCB Bank announced its support for Allied Services with a $5,000 donation to the Vocational Services Division. FNCB served as a co-presenting sponsor of the Allied Services 2023 Vocational Services Golf Classic. The charity tournament was held Monday, July 24, 2023, at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, Pa. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the annual tournament benefits individuals with disabilities participating in training and employment programs provided by the non-profit health system. Allied Services Vocational Services Division serves over 500 individuals with disabilities each year. Individuals with disabilities enrolled in the program receive specialized training, development of work-related skills, and supervision and guidance in the workplace as needed. The goal of the program is to support and empower individuals with disabilities as members of the workforce.
Jewish Family Service of NEPA Receives Grant Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania was one of the recent recipients of a grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for the 2022 grant cycle. The grant in the amount of $10,000 will assist with General Operating Support for the organization. Grants from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation are administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Pictured in photo from left to right: Sheila Nudelman Abdo, ACSW, LCSW, JFS Executive Director; Atty. Jack Nogi, Robert H. Spitz Foundation Trustee; Marguerite Bushwick, LCSW, NCG, JFS Social Worker. Established in 1915, Jewish Family Service is a human service organization, which reflects the Jewish tradition of caring and compassion for all people in need. Through professional counseling, advocacy, and educational programming, our services seek to enhance and strengthen the quality of individual, family, and community life. It is this agency’s mission that drives all services and activities of Jewish Family Service. The Scranton Area Community Foundation has been working to enhance the quality of life for people across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region over the past 66 years, serving the community as a steward, a grantmaker, a charitable resource, and a catalyst for change and growth. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a public 501c3 community foundation with assets of more than $50 million and more than 215 charitable funds. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.
Keystone Mission Receives Grant In June 2023, Keystone Mission received a $1,000 grant from The Giant Company, supporting the ongoing food needs at the Transformation Center. This grant bolsters Keystone Mission’s Make a Meal Program.“Residents are given weekly responsibilities to cook meals, and we are seeing a positive impact on their mental and physical health. A healthy diet reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves the chances of a sustainable lifestyle,” says Justin Behrens, CEO & Executive Director.Giant is one of Keystone Mission’s local partnerships that provides residents with the ability to shop locally and reap the benefits of healthy eating.
Scranton Counseling Center Receives Donation Scranton Counseling Center recently received a $25,000 grant from The Margaret Briggs Foundation to help fund the Center’s blight remediation / parking lot construction capital project. From left: Kevin Rogers, The Margaret Briggs Foundation; Dr. Sarah Wodder, President and CEO, Scranton Counseling Center; and Douglas Hein, Director of Development, Scranton Counseling Center.
The Dime Bank Supports Lacawac Sanctuary The Dime Bank donated $9,750.00 to Lacawac Sanctuary to support their hands-on academic enrichment and innovative educational programs. The Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit conservation, research, and education center providing the community with a host of quality environmental, historical, and cultural programs. $7,500.00 was donated through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission to educate students with important ecological and environmental science lessons, strengthening academic achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. On-site visits to Lacawac, off-site teachings at schools, educational workshops, and curriculum for afterschool sessions are just some of Lacawac’s innovative and educational offerings. $1,000.00 was donated as a corporate sponsorship, $1,000.00 was donated as an epicurean sponsorship of the 8th Annual Farm to Plate Dinner event, and $250.00 was donated to the Cocktails for Conservation fundraiser. All three help with the Sanctuary’s mission to help promote environmental understanding through education and conservation. “Many schools have insufficient funding to create their own programs that allow students to explore our diverse lake and forest habitats. Lacawac’s programs are multidisciplinary and geared towards a wide audience. We are happy to support this vital sanctuary that is available not only to our students but to people of all ages,” stated The Dime Bank Vice President Marketing Deb Unflat.
