Scranton Area Community Foundation Hosts 3rd Annual NEPA Gives Friday, June 3rd 225+ local nonprofits joining together for historic giving day. ‘Give Gathering’ taking place in Downtown Scranton to celebrate The Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with The Luzerne Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, Carbon County Community Foundation, Posture Interactive, and other community sponsors, will host the third annual NEPA Gives event on Friday, June 3, 2022.Promoted as the single largest day of philanthropy in Northeastern Pennsylvania, NEPA Gives is a one-day, 24-hour, online giving extravaganza that’s all about giving back to the community. NEPA Gives aims to raise awareness about the critical work nonprofit organizations carry out across the region and aims to help charitable organizations raise much-needed funds. Over 225 nonprofit organizations from across seven counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania will participate in NEPA Gives on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in matching funds and prizes have been secured, provided by various community partners, businesses, and sponsors that make donations to participating nonprofits during NEPA Gives stretch even further. Adding to the excitement, to celebrate NEPA Gives, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is also hosting an in-person NEPA Gives ‘Give Gathering’ that will be held at the Hilton Scranton Conference Center from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, to coincide with First Friday Scranton. The Give Gathering will include live entertainment, giveaways, real-time and live-streamed updates on NEPA Gives, and opportunities for the general public to meet many of the participating nonprofits. This event is free to attend. To celebrate this historical and monumental giving day, both Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown have made official proclamations declaring June 3, 2022, as NEPA Gives Day. “NEPA Gives is all about supporting charities that are doing important work right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We have teamed up with various community partners and businesses eager to provide support for NEPA Gives and we are thrilled to announce that we have secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in incentives, bonuses, and matching funds available to participating nonprofits which helps make charitable donations go further during NEPA Gives. This year, we are looking forward to gathering in person in Scranton to celebrate the momentum of NEPA Gives and highlight the good work of the many participating nonprofits taking part in NEPA Gives.” Members of the community wishing to make a contribution for NEPA Gives can visit www.nepagives.org anytime between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2022, to make a secure donation to any of the 225+ participating nonprofit organizations. This is the third year for NEPA Gives. In its second year, NEPA Gives raised over $1.2 million for 218 nonprofit organizations. To learn more about #NEPAGives, visit nepagives.org or contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager of the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.
Lackawanna County Commissioners Encourage Donations for Ukraine As we all know, there is a horrific war going on in the Ukraine. St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church is organizing a drive for medical supplies and monetary donations to help the military and the citizens of the Ukraine. Items requested are: toilet paper, non-perishables, diapers, pain medicines (Advil, Tylenol), gauze, bandages, and any other basic first aid items. If you wish to donate the medical equipment, it can be dropped off at the church on 430 N. 7th Avenue, Scranton. The supplies and monetary donations will have to be submitted by Friday, March 4, at 9 a.m. A shipping airfreight company in Philadelphia will leave Saturday and will land in Poland. The supplies will then be sent to the Ukraine over the weekend. Monetary donations are also accepted. You can Venmo Olena Shemchuk at @Olena-shemchuk with your donations. ALL the proceeded will go directly to where they are needed the most.
NET Credit Union Expands Partnership with Lackawanna College NET Credit Union recently furthered their partnership with their Preferred Partner Group, Lackawanna College, by offering tuition-free classes to NET employees. Under the agreement, qualifying NET Credit Union employees can pursue an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree at Lackawanna College. Lackawanna College offers over thirty different degrees, majors, and certificates. “We are excited to further our relationship with NET Credit Union with this free tuition announcement. We are also grateful for NET’s investment in their employees as well as their trust in us to offer them an amazing opportunity to continue their education,” said Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College President. Our programs are designed to meet the relevant needs of today’s workforce by making college affordable and accessible for everyone.” “The Lackawanna College Business Partnership Scholarship Initiative helps businesses of all sizes develop and retain employees,” said Jeff Gregory, Director of College Enrollment Partnerships. “A partnership with Lackawanna College includes a tuition scholarship that can be offered to employees, allowing the workforce to pursue a bachelor’s or associate degree.” “This program will simultaneously help grow our employees’ personal development, as well as the capabilities of our business. NET Credit Union is thrilled to partner with Lackawanna College in this program,” states Clarence Baltrusaitis, NET Credit Union CEO. Lackawanna College is a Preferred Partner Group of NET Credit Union. This means all students, staff, and faculty are eligible to Bank on NET. The tuition program not only benefits our relationship with Lackawanna College, but it also strengthens our employee benefits. NET Credit Union looks forward to furthering our partnership with Lackawanna College.
House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Advances Proposals to Benefit Female Veterans and Children of Military Families Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, on Monday led a voting meeting at which six pieces of legislation to benefit Pennsylvania’s military members, veterans and emergency responders were unanimously approved. The proposals included House Resolution 129, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), which would require the Joint State Government Commission to study and report findings and recommendations on prominent issues facing female veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and alcohol and substance abuse. “Pennsylvania’s more than 71,000 women veterans often have different needs and issues when it comes to their health care. Whether it be how they process and deal with trauma and other mental health issues, they are not being adequately served under the current male-focused health care model in place,” Pennycuick told the committee. “This legislation is long overdue. Our female veterans deserve the same kind of quality health care benefits as their male counterparts,” said Boback. “I am pleased we were able to move this important bill through the committee and look forward to its consideration in the House.” Boback is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1867, legislation that would establish the Purple Star School Program. Under the proposal, Pennsylvania schools would be designated as Purple Star campuses if they demonstrate military-friendly practices and meet certain requirements such as: having a military liaison staff member; a webpage that includes resources for military students and families; and professional development training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students. The program is voluntary. “This program would recognize schools that provide strong services for any educational transition issues encountered by military families and their children, who may experience multiple moves during their school-aged years,” Boback explained. “The Purple Star designation would signal that a school supports the social and emotional well-being of military children who are adjusting to new schools.” Other measures advanced by the committee include: House Bill 1962, sponsored by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), which would place a Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association member on the state 911 Advisory Board.House Bill 2096, sponsored by Rep. Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks) which would authorize certain medals and awards to be presented to civilians and military members of a friendly foreign nation.House Resolution 166, sponsored by Boback, which would urge the State Council on Interstate Education Opportunity for Military Children and the National Compact Commission to make National Guard/reserve members eligible for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact.Senate Bill 739, sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), which would authorize the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association, Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association, Department of Community and Economic Development secretary or designee, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary or designee, as voting members of the application review committee for the state Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program. All six measures will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.
Apply for Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 Our affiliate Leadership Lackawanna is hosting Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 — an 8-week virtual course that will provide advanced leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience – complete with a variety of personal and professional development skills. The program begins February 14, 2022 and ends April 8, 2022. Participants can work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are eight mandatory Zoom meetings: February 15 and 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 (every Tuesday from 12-1 p.m.). APPLY NOW
MetroAction Launches COVID Recovery Loan Program APPLY MetroAction, Inc. – the non-profit, small business financing affiliate of the Chamber – announced its launch of the Lackawanna County COVID Recovery Loan Program, created to provide capital to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides low-interest loans to Lackawanna County businesses for working capital purposes. Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, lease or mortgage payments, utility payments, payroll, and other operational expenses. In addition, businesses can use the loan capital to purchase machinery, equipment, or technology that will allow the business to expand its operations. The program will provide loans up to $25,000 at 1% to Lackawanna County businesses adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic. The term for the loans will be 36 months with a 3 month payment deferral. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose great challenges for our small business community. This fund was established to support Lackawanna County businesses with day-to-day operations as well as growth opportunities,” stated Jack Reager, MetroAction President. Funding is limited for this loan program. Applications will be funded on a first approved, first funded basis. Funding for this program was provided by Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE), Lackawanna County, the Hawk Family Foundation, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Businesses can apply and find additional program information on www.metroaction.org.
Leadership Lackawanna Hires Program Coordinator The Chamber is proud to announce the addition of Jennifer Strzelec as program coordinator for its affiliate Leadership Lackawanna, the area’s premier community leadership and professional development organization. In this role, Strzelec primarily supports the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program – a seven-month initiative for high school juniors. This includes recruitment, marketing, evaluations, and administrative support. Strzelec has several years of experience as a preschool aide at Bright Beginnings Preschool in Mt. Cobb and at the YMCA in King George, Virginia. She also served in the United States Army in the avionics division at both Fort Hood in Texas and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Strzelec earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University and is currently earning her MBA at West Chester University.
