Jeannine Luby Announces Recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund Grant Jeannine Luby is pleased to announce the 2025 grant recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation (for 2026 programming). Recipients are Volunteers in Medicine, an organization that offers a range of free services from dental care to counseling and much more, and The Lake Foundation, whose goal is to strengthen mental health literacy in NEPA through education and advocacy. Volunteers in Medicine, a past recipient of a Humor Therapy Fund grant over seven years ago, will build upon their humor tool kit that is integrated into counseling sessions with clients for healing and lightheartedness. The Lake Foundation is planning an improv workshop with Electric City Improv to help local youth heal through connection and creativity. Noelle Bonitatis, VIM’s behavioral health manager and Kelly Ranieli, VIM’s executive director posed with fund advisor Jeannine Luby to celebrate their recent grant; Luby also met with Jeffrey Lake and his son Harrison, along with Jacob Torba, philanthropy associate at Scranton Area Community Foundation for the Lake Foundation check presentation. Luby worked with the Scranton Area Community Foundation in 2005 to create the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund that serves to promote healing through humor and laughter in our region. Learn more about the Fund here: https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1138
The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Brought Christmas to Nearly 700 Children 140 Years of Hope in Scranton: A Community Rallies to Feed Families and Carry the Mission Forward For nearly a century and a half, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has stood alongside neighbors in need—responding to hardship with compassion, dignity, and unwavering service. As the organization approaches 140 years of ministry in Scranton, that mission was powerfully on display on December 18, 2025, when 300 local families received Christmas Dinner boxes, ensuring that hope—and a warm holiday meal—were on the table. Families experiencing food insecurity registered both online and by phone, and on distribution day the event unfolded as a smooth, welcoming drive-through. Each box—filled with the essentials for a Christmas dinner—was made possible by a generous donation that allowed turkeys to be purchased specifically for this outreach. Behind the scenes, the operation was a true community effort. More than two dozen volunteers came together from Walmart, Lakeland High School, and the wider community to assemble and pack boxes donated by local partners, unload turkeys, greet families with warmth, and carefully load meals into vehicles. The entire effort was coordinated by Steve Oaten, Property Manager, who also faithfully serves as Food Pantry Coordinator—ensuring that no detail was overlooked and every family was treated with care. “The Salvation Army was founded on the principle of ‘soup, soap, and salvation,’” Oaten shared. “We are blessed to continue that mission by providing Christmas dinner boxes for our neighbors in need.” The impact of the day drew the attention of WNEP News 16, who joined the distribution and spoke with Captain Neil Childs, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Captain Childs highlighted a growing and concerning reality: families seeking help for the first time, and seniors on fixed incomes whose resources no longer stretch far enough to meet basic needs. “These are our neighbors,” Childs said. “And the need is increasing.” That growing need is felt well beyond the holidays. The Salvation Army Scranton operates a ChoiceFood Pantry every Tuesday by appointment for food-insecure households within its current service area. Families are able to schedule appointments every two months as needed, allowing them to select food that best meets their household’s needs while preserving dignity and choice. As demand continues to rise, The Salvation Army Scranton is facing a critical challenge. The Choice Food Pantry is currently housed in the Corps’ gymnasium, a space that has reached its limits. The Corps is now seeking to relocate the pantry to a larger, fully accessible space near its current location at 500 S. Washington Avenue, Scranton. Making this move possible will require funding support from the community. Relocating the pantry would not only improve access and efficiency for families seeking food assistance—it would also free the gymnasium for additional community programming, expanding opportunities for youth activities, support groups, and neighborhood engagement. Since 1885, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has served the community without discrimination, meeting human need wherever it exists. As Scranton looks toward the next chapter of this 140-year legacy, the mission remains steadfast—but the path forward depends on collective support. Now is the time for the community to rally. Through financial support, partnerships, advocacy, and volunteerism, individuals and organizations can help ensure The Salvation Army Scranton continues to meet rising needs with compassion and dignity. Together, we can honor 140 years of service—and invest in the future—so that hope, help, and healing remain available to every neighbor who walks through The Salvation Army’s doors.
The Wright Center for Community Health Opens New On-site Pharmacy The Wright Center for Community Health will expand access to essential health services in Luzerne County with the opening of a new on-site pharmacy at its community health center in Wilkes-Barre. The 1,400-square-foot pharmacy, located at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, will be open to patients of The Wright Center as well as members of the surrounding communities. The pharmacy provides convenient access to prescription medications and pharmacist support as part of The Wright Center’s integrated, whole-person primary and preventive health services delivery model. The pharmacy will open in mid-March and serve the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Operations will be led by three licensed pharmacists. Most common prescriptions can be filled while customers wait, while some specialty medications may require 24 hours’ notice. “The opening of our Wilkes-Barre pharmacy reflects The Wright Center’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to the health services our communities need and deserve,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer. “Several pharmacies around the region have closed over the past few years, so we’re excited to offer this service to our communities, whether they are Wright Center patients or obtain medical care elsewhere.” The pharmacy operates alongside a newly opened 1,400-square-foot laboratory for routine testing, further enhancing the services available at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre. Together, the pharmacy and laboratory help reduce barriers to care for patients who might otherwise struggle to access these resources, Dr. Sheth said. Plans call for the Wilkes-Barre pharmacy to also deliver patient prescriptions to Wright Center locations in Lackawanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Patients will eventually be able to pick up prescriptions at the community health centers most convenient for them. The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, recently received a Pride of Place Award from the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce in recognition of its transformation from a former office building into a health care destination. The community health center offers affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and laboratory services conveniently located in the heart of downtown Wilkes-Barre. The location is accessible to patients who rely on public transportation and is within walking distance of many of the city’s high-rise apartments. The renovation was made possible by $4 million in state grants awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The Wright Center for Community Health accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program to help ensure whole-person primary and preventive health services are affordable for everyone. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-491-0126.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from The Les Paul Foundation The Greater Scranton YMCA is among a select group to receive a grant from the Les Paul Foundation for its Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program for children enrolled in the Y’s Before and After School Program. The program will combine music education with hands-on guitar lessons, giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity while building self-confidence through the power of music. “At the Y, we believe in nurturing the potential of every child and teen, and music is a powerful tool for that growth,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Music education inspires creativity, builds confidence, and gives young people a voice. Through programs like this, rooted in our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, we’re creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth can thrive, belong, and discover who they are. This is how we strengthen our communities and live out our mission each day.” For more information about the Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Aspen Meadows Pet Services Hosting Grand Opening Ceremony Aspen Meadows Pet Aquamation & Memorial Services is pleased to announce that they will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for their newly constructed pet aquamation facility, onsite beginning at 3:00pm on January 30th, 2026. “Pets are paramount members of our families and our community. At Aspen Meadows, it is our honor to provide dignified aftercare services to support families and individuals as they say goodbye to their beloved companions,” said Lauren Calvey, CEO of Aspen Meadows. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Aspen Meadows Pet Aquamation & Memorial Services marks the beginning of a new era in death care for the Clarks Summit community members. In partnership with their sister companies, Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, and Scranton Area Cremation care, they now offer comprehensive aftercare options not only for people, but also for the animals who are deeply cherished members of families. Aspen Meadows was established as a complementary expansion of the long-standing Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services in Clarks Summit. With more than 125 years of dedicated service to the community, Jennings-Calvey has continually evolved to meet the needs of families, including the addition of an onsite crematory in 2020. Aspen Meadows builds upon this legacy by expanding dignified aftercare options and services to include animals. Aspen Meadows offers onsite aquamation, a gentle and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional cremation that uses water instead of flame. Aspen Meadows provides a variety of memorialization options, including goodbye sessions, memorial and viewing services, burial and interment assistance, postmortem refrigeration, transportation options, and more. Event Details Their family-friendly community event will take place during Clarks Summit’s 22nd annual Festival of Ice, celebrating this year’s theme, “The American Dream.” Guests can enjoy a live ice carving in front of their business, live music by Tony Vergnetti, and light refreshments throughout the event. Date: Friday, January 30th, 2026 Location: 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit PA 18411 Time: 3pm-6pm Live Ice Carving: 3-5pm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 5:15 pm Contact Lauren Calvey, CEO of Aspen Meadows, at Lauren@jenningscalvey.com with any questions. Click here for more information.
Johnson College Receives $5,000 Contribution From Fidelity Bank Johnson College recently received a $5,000 contribution from Fidelity Bank to support students enrolled in the college’s Industry Fast Track program. The donation was made through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The Industry Fast Track program is a partnership between Johnson College and area school districts. It allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in dual-credit coursework on the Johnson College campuses while remaining full-time students at their respective high schools. For more information about participating in the EITC program with Johnson College, visit johnson.edu/eitc. Johnson College received a $5,000 EITC contribution from Fidelity Bank to support students in the college’s Industry Fast Track program. Pictured from left: Douglas Cook, senior director of college advancement, Johnson College; Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO, Johnson College; and Donna J. Kane, AVP, regional retail sales manager, Fidelity Bank.
Geisinger’s Jason W. Mitchell Named to HAP Board Geisinger’s chief medical officer, Jason W. Mitchell, M.D., is among the newest members of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) board of directors. He started a 3-year term this month that runs through December 2028. The HAP board includes up to 28 health leaders from across the state in any year. HAP is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems to advance high-quality, accessible and financially sustainable health care. HAP includes most Pennsylvania hospitals among its more than 235 member organizations. Its board sets the association’s strategic direction and priorities related to fostering a robust hospital community and promoting access to high-quality care across the state. “I am thrilled and humbled to join the HAP board. This is such a critical time for health care, with ongoing challenges and critical changes in care delivery and payment models across the landscape – including right here in Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Mitchell. “Just as we are doing at Geisinger for our patients and communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania, HAP can help lead the charge statewide as we strive to continue to improve access to high-quality, high-value care, in both rural and urban settings.” A practicing family physician, Dr. Mitchell oversees a medical staff of nearly 1,800 physicians and 1,200 advanced practice providers at Geisinger. He joined Geisinger last March after spending 2 decades at Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, N.M., where he was chief medical and clinical transformation officer for more than 10 years. “I am proud to welcome Dr. Mitchell to HAP’s board of directors,” said Nicole Stallings, HAP’s president and chief executive officer. “Dr. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience leading clinical teams and driving value-based care. As an accomplished physician and hospital leader, he knows the difficulties that clinicians face each day and is committed to supporting caregivers’ health and wellness.” Prior to joining Presbyterian in 2006, Dr. Mitchell spent 3 years as medical director of the University of New Mexico’s not-for-profit Locum Tenens Program, where he oversaw program operations and quality for primary and specialty care physicians serving rural and urban populations. Dr. Mitchell is a national speaker and author of numerous value-based care articles and presentations, as well as on topics ranging from strategy and business transformation to payment models and population health.
WVIA’s Keystone Edition Returns WVIA’s flagship public affairs program, Keystone Edition, returns for a new season beginning January 19, featuring a refreshed format designed to deepen community conversation around the most timely and impactful issues facing Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Now airing as one new episode per month, the reimagined Keystone Edition will focus exclusively on in-depth reporting from the WVIA News team and discussion of a single, highly relevant topic each episode. Episodes will be moderated by WVIA’s Director of Journalism, Julie Sidoni, and feature the WVIA News team to provide deeper insights and context for the show. Each episode will serve as a live, town-hall-style forum, recorded in front of a studio audience at WVIA Studios and later broadcast on television and available on-demand. Each episode will tackle an issue that matters right now — from education to economic challenges, public safety, healthcare, and other urgent regional concerns. Topics will be selected based on timeliness and community relevance, allowing Keystone Edition to respond quickly to what’s happening across the region. To kickoff the season, WVIA will celebrate the inspiring life and career of legendary Lackawanna College football Coach Mark Duda, who has helped produce more than 450 NCAA Division I athletes, and more than 25 players who went on to sign NFL contracts. After his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis, Duda retired at the end of the 2025 season. His work on and off the field has encouraged countless young men to become the best versions of themselves at home, in the classroom and out in the community. A Trusted Space for Informed Conversation At a time when information can be overwhelming — or difficult to find — Keystone Edition offers viewers something increasingly rare: local, relevant news they can trust. Each episode presents multiple perspectives, encourages civil discourse, and provides context to help viewers make informed decisions about the issues that affect their families and communities. Keystone Edition is more than a television program: it’s a monthly community forum where complex topics are unpacked together, helping viewers stay informed and engaged with what matters most. In addition to watching on television or on-demand, community members will have the opportunity to attend each live taping as part of the studio audience. Click here for more information regarding the Keystone Edition.
Misericordia University Calls for Cougars Home Game Support Misericordia University invites the community to come out and support the Cougars at upcoming home athletic events. From exciting competition on the field to high-energy matchups on the court, Cougar athletics bring people together and offer something for everyone. Home game schedules are conveniently available on the Misericordia University website by following the provided link to view dates, times, and sports. The University looks forward to welcoming the community to campus and cheering together throughout the season. To view the weekly home sporting events, visit: misericordia.edu/campus-community/athletics
