The CAN DO Community Foundation announced the kickoff of its 2020 fund drive, which will benefit Ferrwood Camp.

Each summer since 1967, youth from our community have honed their music skills at Ferrwood Music Camp. The historic country setting is home to programs that support education; healthy mind, body and spirit; mentorship; art; cultural experiences; music; camaraderie and good old fashioned summer fun!

Although the camp is idle due to COVID-19, the CAN DO Community Foundation is continuing with its work to help upgrade the kitchen on the Ferrwood grounds. The obsolete equipment was on its last legs so, with the assistance of a group of volunteers, a new kitchen was designed with the most up-to-date appliances, freezer/refrigeration, etc. Electrical, plumbing and exhaust items needed to be upgraded as well. A grant application was successful in receiving funding and the successful bidder was generous in donating some of the equipment. However, with all that is necessary to install a commercial kitchen, the foundation has a shortfall.

The “commissary” provides traditional camp fare along with farm fresh vegetables and fruits, nutrition conscious choices of meats, whole grains and snacks. And the campers like them!

Earl C. Berger, CAN DO Community Foundation Vice President and Fund Drive Chairman, is earmarking this project as the purpose of the foundation's 2020 fund drive.

“Your contribution to the fund drive will enable the foundation to continue the restoration, upgrading and upkeep of a community gem for tomorrow and future generations,” Berger said.

For the eighth consecutive year, Berger will serve as chairman of the annual fund drive. He will be assisted by the following committee chairpersons and committee members: Matthew B. Bayzick, Melissa Curto, Eugene M. Dougherty, Marybeth Hayden, George R. Hludzik, Mark Imbriaco, Gary F. Lamont, Joseph Lettiere, Robert J. Moisey, E. Richard Moore, Kevin O’Donnell, Donald M. Pachence, E. Thomas Sandrock, Krista Schneider, John J. Spevak, Chris Stamatopoulos and Nancy R. Stasko.

Since its inception in 1992, the CAN DO Community Foundation has used its mission of conservation, preservation and reclamation to support important projects that involve distressed landscape and historic and other locally significant buildings that benefit the Greater Hazleton community. The foundation’s support of these projects is made possible in part through generous contributions to the annual fund drive.

“CPR – Breathing New Life into Our Community” is the foundation’s slogan, referring to its mission.

The 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. Among its many recent projects, the foundation has joined CAN DO, its sister organization, in providing funding that is underway for the CAN DO Community Park at the corner of Broad and Laurel streets. Additionally, the foundation has been assisting the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress with several revitalization projects in the downtown, including: helping to fund the completion of Phase II renovations to the Hayden Center For the Arts, the home of the Hazleton Art League, and participating in the re-purposing of the former “bingo building” on Broad Street, which is home to the Hazleton LaunchBox incubator facility.

In an update on another recent project, the Greater Hazleton Historical Society, which is housed in the former Pioneer Fire House on Wyoming Street, recently announced the completion of phase one of the buildings façade renovations. The Foundation also continues to support projects at the Sofia Coxe House in Drifton, the Freeland YMCA, the former St. Gabriel Convent restoration and an adjoining downtown neighborhood residential Historic District Preservation Study.

In addition to its service projects, the Foundation also utilizes donations to fund several scholarships for high school and college students, as well as the young student musicians who attend Ferrwood Music Camp.

The Foundation presents the annual Edgar L. Dessen Community Service Award Junior Leadership scholarships to students from the high schools that serve Greater Hazleton. The service award is named after CAN DO’s founder, Dr. Edgar L. Dessen.

The annual Joseph Yenchko Award “Camperships” are presented to students attending Ferrwood Music Camp. The “Camperships” are given in honor of Yenchko, who was CAN DO’s first employee, and continue to grow through the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations.

The CAN DO Community Foundation Award at Penn State Hazleton is presented annually at the Highacres Society Dinner. This scholarship honors and recognizes outstanding academic achievement by an undergraduate student enrolled in the baccalaureate degree in business at the Hazleton campus of Penn State University.

The scholarship is specifically designated for a student from Greater Hazleton. Full- and part-time students who have attained high academic achievement at the end of their second semester are considered for the award. Continuing education students are given special consideration.

For more information on the foundation's accomplishments and activities, please visit our web site at www.candocommunityfoundation.com.

For further information about the foundation or the annual fund drive, please contact Nancy R. Stasko at (570) 455-1508 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..