The CAN DO Community Foundation’s Annual Fund Drive Chairman, Earl C. Berger, is pleased to announce that the foundation reached its 2020 fund drive goal. The proceeds are benefiting the Ferrwood Music Camp.

Proceeds from the CAN DO Community Foundation's 2020 fund drive will benefit the Ferrwood Music Camp, where children from throughout the area gather each summer for music instruction.Although the camp is idle due to COVID-19, the CAN DO Community Foundation is continuing with its work to help upgrade the kitchen at Ferrwood. The obsolete equipment was on its last legs so a new kitchen is being installed with the most up-to-date appliances, and electrical, plumbing and exhaust systems that needed to be upgraded as well.

The “commissary” provides traditional camp fare along with farm-fresh vegetables and fruits, nutrition-conscious choices of meats, whole grains and snacks.

“Your contribution to the fund drive will enable the foundation to continue the restoration, upgrading and upkeep of a community gem for tomorrow and the future. Each summer since 1967, youth from our community have honed their music skills at Ferrwood Music Camp,” Berger said.

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! For the eighth consecutive year, Berger served as chairman of the annual fund drive.

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 revitalization projects in the downtown, including the completion of renovations to the Hayden Center For the Arts, the home of the Hazleton Art League.

The Foundation has in its portfolio of projects the Sofia Coxe House in Drifton, the Freeland YMCA, the former St. Gabriel Convent restoration, the Greater Hazleton Historical Society, the Hazleton LaunchBox incubator facility and is funding 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 provides scholarships annually at Penn State Hazleton. The scholarships are designated for students from Greater Hazleton.

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..