CAN DO Community Foundation Vice President and Fund Drive Chairman, Earl C. Berger, announced the start of the 2022 fund drive. Contributions from this campaign will be used toward the preservation efforts at Ferrwood Music Camp and planned upgrades and upkeep to the CAN DO Community Park.

Recently, great news was received by the Luzerne Foundation. The Pasco L. Schiavo Fund has dedicated $50,000 in challenged match funds to the Foundation for the betterment of Ferrwood Music Camp. This means that every dollar a donor gives is doubled to help children in need enjoy, learn and love music.

Chairman Berger requested community support asking, “Please to anyone and everyone, take advantage of this opportunity and support the match challenge to truly make a difference at Ferrwood. Your designated donation to Ferrwood will enable the Foundation to reach the funding match challenge.”

Kids playing instruments at Ferrwood Music Camp.Ferrwood Music 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!

With contributions through the fund drives each year, the Foundation is able to complete countless upgrades and restorations to the Camp. In 2021, renovations were made to the camp’s kitchen. The “commissary” is now fully equipped to prepare traditional camp fare with local farm fresh vegetables and fruits, nutritionally conscious breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

The CAN DO Community Foundation is continuing its preservation efforts at Ferrwood Music Camp and is presently making enhancements to the current bandshell. Renovations will include a turn of the century façade, modernized classroom space, and ADA compliant restroom accommodations, along with the addition of new contemporary lighting and sound systems, all which have already started.

An aerial photo of the CAN DO Community Park.CAN DO Community Park

Dedicated in 2020, the CAN DO Community Park provides downtown Hazleton through its own “village green” with planned upgrades and upkeep, this new community activities venue will enhance the home of the Hazleton Art League and the Hayden Family Center for the Arts.

Mr. Berger commented, “Contributions made to the fund drive will enable the foundation to continue with the maintenance and improvements of two community gems for tomorrow and future generations to come.”

OTHER PROJECTS

The foundation supports worthwhile community projects that make a difference and improve the Greater Hazleton community. These include the Hayden Family Center for the Arts – home of the Hazleton Art League and the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo.

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 granted 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 Scholarships at Penn State Hazleton are awarded annually. The fully endowed scholarships are specifically designated for students from Greater Hazleton.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

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 and facilities 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.

For the tenth consecutive year, Berger will serve as chairman of the annual fund drive. Foundation Board Members also include Matthew B. Bayzick, Melissa Curto, Eugene M. Dougherty, Melissa Frederick, Jeffrey S. Gicking, Marybeth Hayden, George R. Hludzik, Gary F. Lamont, Joseph Lettiere, Robert J. Moisey, Kevin O’Donnell, Sherri O’Donnell, Donald M. Pachence, E. Thomas Sandrock, Krista Schneider, John J. Spevak, Chris Stamatopoulos and Daniel Sweeney.

For further information about the foundation or the annual fund drive, please please visit our web site at www.candocommunityfoundation.com or contact Chris Stamatopoulos at (570) 881-7868 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..