As part of its ongoing perseveration efforts at Ferrwood Camp in Drums, the CAN DO Community Foundation joined Ferrwood Camp volunteers, friends, families and supporters to organize a successful fundraising effort during the recent Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community 5Kwalk at PNC Field in Moosic.

The CAN DO Community Foundation was one of nine nonprofit agencies representing nonprofit organizations, and the only one from southern Luzerne County, to participate in the event. All proceeds will benefit Ferrwood’s music camp and other programs.

Chris Stamatopoulos, a member of the CAN DO Community Foundation Board of Directors, coordinated the foundation’s participation in the event. She said it was a successful day of fundraising that will aid the Foundation in its ongoing support of the Ferrwood Camp site.  

“Promoting good health and raising funds for Ferrwood was a natural fit for our team members, which included campers, musicians, Ferrwood alumnus, business and industry representatives, and a well behaved group of canines. We would like to express our gratitude to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for organizing an event that brought so many members of our community together and gave us the opportunity showcase the talent of our youth,” Stamatopoulos said.

Ferrwood Camp is gearing up for a busy summer season of activities and events, which includes its annual music camp that is now extended for three weeks. Its first event of the season is the Youth Health Awareness Day for children ages 6-18, which will be held on Saturday, June 30 beginning at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required at ferrwoodcamp.org. The first 25 registrants will receive a free step counter and the first 50 families to arrive will receive a free Farm Fresh voucher for $5 to be used at local farm stands. Those who attend the information sessions will also be eligible to win several prizes.

Youth Health Awareness Day will feature a variety of activities and information sessions around topics that are relevant to today’s youth and healthy lifestyle options. The lineup includes Zumba and yoga classes, a cooking demonstration, and information sessions on proper eye care, anxiety and depression, maintaining a healthy weight balance, resisting the temptation to smoke, preventing high blood pressure and diabetes in youth, choosing healthy foods, dealing with bullying and programs and services from the Hazleton Area Public Library.

Ferrwood Music Camp will be held for three weeks beginning July 1. The first two weeks are designed for beginner through advanced students, while the study the week of July 15 is for advanced music students in grades 6-12.

The CAN DO Community Foundation has spent many years overseeing restoration of Ferrwood, the site of the historic summer music camp for children that was founded in the 1920s as a fresh air camp for children predisposed to tuberculosis. In 2017, under the leadership of the Foundation, the Ferrwood Camp site was nominated to and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Foundation has secured donations for several restoration projects throughout the years. Most recently, Burczy Painting completed an extensive painting project that included building exteriors, window frames and kitchen walls.

The restoration of Ferrwood has received more than half a million dollars in the form of county, state and federal grants; contributions from individuals, foundations, organizations and unions, and donated labor and materials from businesses and foundations. The Foundation's objective is to have the facility used to the greatest extent possible, and so it continues to support activities at the camp.

For more information about the event or to mail a donation, call Chris Stamatopoulos at (570) 881-7868 or Nancy Stasko at (570) 455-1508 ext. 2032.