Earl C. Berger has accepted the chairmanship of the 2016 annual fund drive for the CAN DO Community Foundation. The foundation is privileged to have Earl lead this campaign for the sixth consecutive year. Earl is well recognized in the region and has a long list of civic and philanthropic accomplishments stated Gary F. Lamont, president.

He will be assisted by the following committee chairpersons and committee members Matthew B. Bayzick, Eugene M. Dougherty, Dr. Terrance M. Eyerly, Dr. Anthony Falvello, George R. Hludzik, Mark Imbriaco, Elaine Judd, Gary F. Lamont, Robert J. Moisey, E. Richard Moore, W. Kevin O’Donnell, Donald M. Pachence, John Patton, Lonnie Polli, E. Thomas Sandrock, Krista Schneider, John J. Spevak, Chris Stamatopoulos and Nancy Stasko.  

Founded 1992, the CAN DO Community Foundation has been funded through the generosity of individuals, businesses, foundations and CAN DO, Inc., which have made contributions of money, stock, real estate, investment income as well as memorial donations.

Since it was established the Foundation has devoted its efforts to support projects that improve the quality of life in the Greater Hazleton community. The foundation meets its mission through projects that involve

“Conservation Preservation and Reclamation” CPR - breathing new life into the community.

The foundation is currently involved in numerous projects including:

• * Restoring the Little League practice fields at Correale Stadium.

• * Maintaining and operating the Ferrwood Music Camp.

• * The Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress revitalization initiatives.

• * Supporting the Greater Hazleton Historical Society in their efforts to establish a Historic District in the City of Hazleton.

• * The Freeland YMCA façade restoration project.

• * The Saint Gabriel House restoration and preservation project.

• * Joseph Yenchko Award for “Camperships” to Ferrwood.

• * The CAN DO Community Foundation “Camperships” to Ferrwood.

• * Edgar L. Dessen Community Service Award Junior Leadership scholarships.

• * And, CAN DO Community Foundation Scholarship Program at Penn State Hazleton.

Founded in 1992, the CAN DO Community Foundation’s endowment has grown from numerous sources including the donation of real estate, individual and corporate gifts, memorial donations, foundations and investment income. The foundation supports worthwhile community projects that make a difference and improve the Greater Hazleton community.

The foundation’s mission is to select projects that will benefit from conservation, preservation and reclamation of distressed landscape and historic and other locally significant buildings. “CPR – Breathing New Life into Our Community” is the foundation’s slogan, referring to its mission.  

In accordance with its mission, the foundation continues to review mission-focused projects in the greater Hazleton community.

For further information about the foundation or the annual fund drive, please contact Nancy R. Stasko at (570) 455-1508.