United Way Receives Generous Donation The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is excited to announce a generous donation of $50,000 from the Hawk Family Foundation, Dunmore, in support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library as well as the allocation process of the United Way. This generous contribution will not only help provide free books to children, fostering a love of reading and promoting early childhood literacy but also be distributed to various agencies throughout NEPA during United Way’s allocation process. The donation was presented on June 25th, 2024 at the Gertrude Hawk corporate location in Dunmore, PA. $25,000 will be directly donated to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to community engagement and support for educational initiatives. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a beloved program by many, mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, regardless of the family’s income. The other $25,000 donation are non-designated funds which allows the United Way to distribute them to various programs administered by agencies throughout Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike County that focus on key areas of the United Way; Health, Economic Mobility and Education. “We are incredibly grateful to the Hawk Family Foundation for their generous support of the United Way,” said Gary Drapek, President & CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. “This donation will have a profound impact on the lives of many children and families in our community.” The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike remains dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families in the community through education, health, and economic mobility programs. This donation from the Hawk Family Foundation will help further the mission of the United Way and ensure that children and households have the resources they need to succeed.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Hosts Army Senior Leader Visit Tobyhanna Army Depot discussed the needs of the future force during an Army senior leader’s visit. Matthew Sannito, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G-4, visited Tobyhanna on June 25 to witness the organization’s advanced capabilities, world-class facilities, and ongoing modernization efforts, highlighting the depot’s pivotal role providing C5ISR readiness for the joint warfighter. Sannito and the team at the Army G-4 develop, implement, and oversee Army strategy, policy, plans, and programming for logistics and sustainment. Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker, Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Riggs, and Chief of Staff Kristyn K. Smith hosted Sannito’s inaugural visit to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest regional employer. After an overview briefing outlining the depot’s mission and business profile, Col. Crocker facilitated a comprehensive tour for Sannito, shining a spotlight on the depot’s modernized facilities and skilled workforce – all poised to meet the needs of the modern warfighter. “The Tobyhanna Army Depot of 2024 has greatly evolved since our beginnings in 1953. Our workload profile is changing, and we are seeing immense growth in emerging missions like microelectronics, satellite communications, cable fabrication, and radars,” said Col. Crocker. “A proactive modernization strategy set us up for success today, and we will continue building towards tomorrow.” Tobyhanna’s expansive radar campus was a focal point of the tour, which also revealed plans for a dramatic modernization in the near future. The radar campus expansion project, which will invest upwards of $60 million into depot facilities, will expand radar testing capacity as well as increase capabilities for essential equipment used by warfighters across the Department of Defense (DoD). As the DoD’s radar center of excellence, the depot supports current DoD radars in sustainment as well as legacy systems for partner nations. Personnel in the depot’s Strategic Initiatives Office also support emerging warfighter requirements prior to and during the transition to sustainment. The tour highlighted Tobyhanna’s innovative approach to maintenance, including the organization’s radar-centric technology center, which consolidates technological commonalities in a single workspace. Co-locating personnel by technology (instead of individual system) removes functional silos, increases skills of maintenance personnel, and heightens cross-organizational collaboration opportunities. Challenges faced across the Army enterprise, such as supply chain management and obsolescence were also topics of discussion along the tour route. Sannito had the opportunity to see the depot’s emerging microelectronics capability; a novel facility that creates a sustainment strategy for circuit cards lacking support from the original equipment manufacturer or have long lead times. Vital military assets, such as SINCGARS radios, Harris radios, and the AN/TPQ53 will have heightened readiness – all thanks to Tobyhanna’s future-focused readiness strategy. “This new capability can reduce the lead time for critical components from years to mere weeks,” Crocker said. Sannito emphasized the importance of bridging the communication gap between depots and decision makers. “The value of these visits is to get people into the operations and organizations where they don’t have visibility. People advocating for resources may not have a full operational understanding to effectively articulate needs to decision makers,” said Sannito. “It’s all about readiness at the end of the day,” adding that Tobyhanna plays an important role within the DoD. “The work you do here at Tobyhanna Army Depot drives down risk and sustains readiness.” Crocker noted the benefits of engaging with Army officials in his remarks closing out the visit. “Educating senior Army leaders about the vast capabilities of the depot and the challenges we face will only result in better decision making for the entire organic industrial base.” Smith agreed. “Tobyhanna has a dynamic, multifaceted mission, which results in increased readiness for warfighters facing a multi-domain battlefield. The support of leaders across the Army is integral to the success of not only the depot, but the DoD overall. We are thankful for engaged advocates like Mr. Sannito.”
Geisinger Discusses Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen Geisinger says some sunscreen is always better than none for sun protection, but for certain skin types, one kind may take the prize.By: Mikael Kevork Horissian, MD, Dermatology, Geisinger Are you an avid outdoor enthusiast — or someone who spends as little time outside as possible? Either way, and in any season, sunscreen is crucial in protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. It not only guards against painful sunburn, but also reduces the risk of premature aging and skin cancer. But not all sunscreens are created equal, and abundant options line store shelves. You’ll see terms like mineral, physical or chemical, but what do they mean? The main difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens is how they filter the sun’s rays. While they’re both an effective option for sun protection, the choice between mineral and chemical sunscreens typically comes down to your skin type, sensitivity and personal preferences. What is mineral sunscreen? Mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, creates a physical barrier on the skin’s surface to reflect and scatter UV rays. This barrier helps block UV rays from being absorbed into the skin and causing damage. This type of sunscreen uses natural minerals, like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as its active ingredients. What is chemical sunscreen? Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, works by using just that — chemicals — to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Instead of physically blocking UV rays like mineral sunscreen, it works like a sponge, absorbing UV radiation and converting it into non-damaging heat through a chemical reaction to reduce sun damage. Your skin then releases the heat. Common ingredients found in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, dioxybenzone and homosalate. Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen: Which is right for you? Each type of sunscreen has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. Chemical sunscreen benefits People often like chemical sunscreen because of its lightweight, easy-to-apply formula. It blends seamlessly into the skin without leaving any white residue. Chemical sunscreen drawbacks However, chemical sunscreen tends to wear off more quickly. That means you have to reapply it more often, especially if you’re swimming or sweating a lot. It can also take up to 30 minutes to be absorbed into the skin to be effective. And if you have sensitive skin, chemical sunscreen could cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Mineral sunscreen benefits There’s no waiting period for effectiveness with mineral sunscreen — it protects your skin as soon as you apply it. And it’s generally well-tolerated by all skin types, making it ideal if you have sensitive skin, dry skin or eczema. Mineral sunscreens are generally preferred by dermatologists because if applied correctly, they literally form a separation between your skin and the sun. With instant protection and a lower likelihood of breaking down in sunlight compared to chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreen is a safe, effective option for sun protection. Mineral sunscreen drawbacks A disadvantage of mineral sunscreen: It tends to be thicker, making it harder to apply evenly. And it can leave behind a white, chalky residue on the skin, which may not be appealing particularly if you have a darker skin tone. Are chemical sunscreens safe? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not labeled either type of sunscreen as unsafe. However, there is growing concern over common ingredients in chemical sunscreen that are absorbed into the bloodstream and their impact on a person’s health. A study recently published in JAMA revealed the amount of chemicals absorbed into the bloodstream is significantly above the FDA’s threshold for waiving added safety trials to determine possible toxicity. This study does not mean that chemical sunscreens are unsafe, but rather more conclusive research is needed to determine if there are any effects on a person’s health. Current medical literature suggests that the known health risks of UV exposure far outweigh the potential risk of chemical absorption from this type of sunscreen. The bottom line? The effectiveness and safety of any sunscreen depend on several factors. Look for sunscreen that: Has an SPF of 30 or higher Is water-resistant Is labeled broad spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays If it has all these qualities, it’s proven to effectively protect the skin from sun damage, as long as you apply it generously and reapply it every two hours, or as directed. More sun safety tips Sunscreen alone can’t fully protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays, especially if you’re outside for long periods of time. Besides generously applying and reapplying sunscreen — whether mineral or chemical — follow these other sun-safe practices for optimal protection: Avoid peak hours in the sun, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear sun-protective clothing with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 50 or higher, as well as sunglasses and a wide-brim hat. Stay in the shade whenever possible. By following sun safety practices and making whatever sunscreen you choose a part of your daily routine, you can enjoy the outdoors all summer long while keeping your skin healthy and well-protected. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
AllOne Foundation & Charities Announces Staff Expansion AllOne Foundation & Charities is excited to announce a staff expansion to further support innovative programs and projects, broaden philanthropic collaboration, and continue to improve the health and welfare of the people of Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania. Jesse J. Ergott will serve as Chief Advancement Officer and Nora Kern as Program Officer. Jesse J. Ergott, Chief Advancement Officer Prior to joining AllOne Foundation & Charities, Jesse served as President and CEO at NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania. In this role, Jesse oversaw a strategic rebranding from Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County to NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, expanding the organization’s geographical footprint from one to six counties and its four-member staff to a dedicated team of twenty-one. During Jesse’s sixteen-year tenure, NeighborWorks led the response to the region’s mortgage foreclosure crisis, launched a volunteer program that provided approximately 90,000 hours in small home repairs and other services to neighbors who needed a helping hand, assisted approximately 1,000 residents with purchasing their first home, and developed an aging in place program that aided hundreds of seniors with home renovations and accessibility improvements. Jesse also operationalized the organization’s community development work, leading to significant investments in blight reduction and neighborhood beautification. Prior to joining NeighborWorks, Jesse served as Chief Operations Officer for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley State and National Heritage Area. Jesse has served on many local, state, and national boards and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Scranton’s Kania School of Business where he helps lead the University’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program.In his role as Chief Advancement Officer, Jesse will drive the operational and strategic direction of AllOne Foundation & Charities to advance the mission and vision of the organization. Nora Kern, Program Officer Prior to joining AllOne Foundation & Charities, Nora served as Advancement Manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation where she advanced the message of the Foundation by providing content for all forms of communication. She also contributed to developing the Foundation through grant writing and donor relations.Nora has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2009, starting as a Development Director at Trehab Community Action Agency in Montrose, Pennsylvania. At Trehab she focused on affordable housing, renewable energy, and emergency food, shelter, and utility programs. She then joined the Admissions and Marketing Department at Kendal, a nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Ithaca, NY where she focused on building relationships. As Program Officer, Nora will assist with grant management, community events and nonprofit partnerships.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces PA ABLE Website Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced the launch of the redesigned PA ABLE Savings Program website, paable.gov. The new website makes it easier for individuals to learn about the many benefits of PA ABLE, open a new account, and access their existing PA ABLE account. “With the launch of our new PA ABLE website, we’re making it easier than ever for people to learn about, and access, this amazing program,” Garrity said. “Making sure every Pennsylvanian with a disability knows about PA ABLE is the first step to helping them live more independently. Revamping our resources to make them as accessible as possible is just one way we’re helping more Pennsylvanians save for a secure future.” The new paable.gov was built from the ground up. It streamlines navigation and content, integrates frequently asked questions within relevant pages, and includes changes that make it easier and more convenient for account owners and prospective account owners to find the information they need about PA ABLE. It also gives users the ability to easily translate every page on the new site to Spanish. This feature is powered by Google Translate. More than 9,000 PA ABLE accounts are open with over $120 million in assets. PA ABLE gives individuals with qualifying disabilities a tax-free way to save and invest without impacting important benefits. All federal benefits are protected, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and, with some limitations, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, as are many Pennsylvania state benefits. As savings earn interest or returns over time, neither federal nor Pennsylvania income tax is owed – and, when a withdrawal including that growth is taken, no income tax is owed as long as the withdrawal is used to pay for qualified disability expenses. PA ABLE offers seven different investment options, including an interest-bearing checking account. Account owners, along with family members and friends, can contribute up to $18,000 per year to a PA ABLE account. Contributions can be deducted on Pennsylvania state income taxes. Currently, to be eligible to save with PA ABLE, a person’s disability must onset prior to their 26th birthday – but the age limit will increase to 46 starting on Jan. 1, 2026. This is thanks to the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which will expand ABLE eligibility to millions more Americans including one million Veterans. PA ABLE is one of the largest ABLE programs in the country and the largest program in the 19-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for more than 25% of total Alliance assets. Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has reduced fees three times for PA ABLE account owners. She is the inaugural chair of the National ABLE Savings Plans Network, a part of the National Association of State Treasurers dedicated to growing awareness, engagement and growth of ABLE Plans nationally. To learn more, visit paable.gov or call (855) 529-2253.
The Wright Center Welcomes Medical Students The Wright Center welcomed four medical students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), who will complete rotations at The Wright Center’s community health centers and other locations throughout the region. This year marks the launch of the partnership between The Wright Center and LECOM, which is open to third- and fourth-year medical students. “The goal is to train these medical students in underserved communities, and hopefully, they will stay in Northeast Pennsylvania to complete their medical residencies after graduation,” said Carla Blakeslee, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s clerkships coordinator. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine students, from left, are Sulav Shrestha, Tazeen Malik, Katherine Weir, and Elena Myalo.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Upgrades to Transparency Portal Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that new features have been added to Treasury’s award-winning Transparency Portal, improving access to state budget and spending details. Users can now, for the first time ever, easily compare current revenue received in the current budget year with that received in previous years. The new features also include the ability to dive deeper into both total and federal funds, and to more easily navigate the portal on both desktop and mobile devices, including quick links to budget details, revenue comparisons, and federal funds. “Transparency must always be a central goal of government, especially when it comes to how taxpayer dollars are being spent,” Treasurer Garrity said. “As a fiscal watchdog, I’m always focused on increasing transparency, and Treasury’s Transparency Portal is a vital part of that work. These new updates make it easier than ever for Commonwealth residents to see where their money is going and to hold their government accountable.” The new Transparency Portal updates include: Revenue Comparison – Users can compare revenue received in the current fiscal year with revenue received in previous years back to FY 2018-19. Federal Funds – Users can see funds received from the federal government and how they are used by the Commonwealth. Easy Access to Fund Details – A dropdown menu allows users to easily review the status of a specific fund (such as the General Fund, the Motor License Fund and the Lottery Fund). More Options – When reviewing fund details, users can choose to display data over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years (in addition to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, year-to-date, and all available). Improved homepage navigation. The Transparency Portal also includes tools to review state budget details, the Fiscal Health Scorecard, which presents financial data comparing Pennsylvania with similar states, and the Treasury Checkbook that discloses payments made by Treasury to its vendors. The Contracts e-Library allows anyone to review more than 500,000 state agency contracts, purchase orders, and amendments valued at $5,000 or more. Treasury’s Transparency Portal includes data back to 2014. Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has added numerous features to the site, including access to Ledger 5, which tracks unappropriated expenses, and the ability to see county- and state-level data about Pennsylvania’s unclaimed property program, the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, Keystone Scholars, and the PA ABLE Savings Program. Treasury’s Transparency Portal has won numerous awards, including the 2022 Government Experience Project Award from the Center for Digital Government, the 2018 CIO 100 Award, a Digital Edge 50 Award, and the 2017 PA Excellence in Technology Award. It was a finalist for the NASCIO 2018 Data Management and Analytics Award. Visit Treasury’s Transparency Portal at patreasury.gov/transparency.
Space Time® Mead & Cider Works Takes Platinum at the Cidercraft Awards Space Time® Mead & Cidery Work’s “Leap Year” Cider was awarded Platinum by CiderCraft Magazine in the Natural Cider Category. Space Time® Mead & Cider Works has received several national and international awards for their meads (honey wines) but this is the first major award for their ciders. “I am just overjoyed for the recognition of this wonderful cider made using apples sourced from our local orchard, Miller’s Orchards Farm Market, and made in our ‘shoe box size’ of an urban winery in Dunmore”, said cider maker Dan Schreffler. In 2022 Dan traveled to France to learn from world-class cider makers in Normandy and Brittany. “We took their cider-making skills and philosophy home,” said Dan. “We were very hopeful that we could create worldclass cider from locally sourced fruit given the care and passion of our local growers and the cider-making skills we cultivated.” Leap Year is available for pick up or shipping from the winery at 419 S. Blakely St. in Dunmore (spacetimemeadworks.com) and a future special release at Sabatini’s Bottle Shop and Bar in Exeter.
Munley Law Presents at Women in Trial Travel Summit Marion Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys recently presented at the Women in Trial Travel Summit April 3-7, 2024 in Punta Mita, Mexico. The focus of her presentation was handling truck cases. Widely recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent and widely respected truck accident lawyers, Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale- Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and currently serves as its Treasurer. Marion was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system. During her career, Marion has received some of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She has also been recognized as Best Lawyers® 2022 and 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania and 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury-Plaintiffs for the Allentown metro area. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 “Top 10” Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from Scranton University in 1983.
