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Resolving

to help

It’s that time again when we swear we’re going to make some kind of resolution for the New Year. How about a resolution that makes a difference not only in your life but the lives of others? What can you do in 2009 that makes a difference not only for you, but for the local community as well? We’ve got some suggestions- one representing each month of the year.

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Donna Dyer, center, volunteers at the St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave. in Scranton, on Friday Dec. 26. Also volunteering, Pat Lavelle, left and Katie Notarianni.

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Ann Dickinson, center, and Betty Shumacher, right, follow the lead of the exercise instructor Linda Howells, left during a class on Monday, Dec. 22, at the Abington Senior Center in Clarks Summit. The Abington Senior Center is always looking for volunteers for entertainment or workshop help.

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Resolution 1

Resolve to return your overdue library material and work out a payment schedule to clear your existing fines. According to Abington Community Library Director, Leah Ducato Rudoph, the library staff is willing to work with patrons to this end. Rudolph also provided a ‘short list’ of additional resolutions.

Resolve to get a free public library card

Resolve to save money by waiting for a reserve rather than purchasing a copy.

Resolve to donate unwanted books, CDs and DVDs to the library. Material that is not added to the collection will go to the book sale, the proceeds of which come right back to the library.

Resolve to join the “Friends of the Abington Community Library.”

Resolve to give to the Annual Fund Drive.

Resolve to join a book discussion group.

Resolve to patronize the Friends’ semi-annual book sales.

Resolve to donate a book, CD or DVD in honor of a friend or family member.

Resolve to suggest programs to be held at the library.

Resolve to spend time at the library each week.

Resolution 2

Volunteer with the Abington Area Community Park. According to Chairperson, Bill Risse, “The community park is a living showcase of volunteer activity. We have opportunities to work right at the park in planting, building, or fixing – and for people who want to help from home with clerical, organizing other volunteers, fundraising and promotion activities. Interested? Simply go to www.abingtonparks.com to discover park activities and phone or email from the Contact Us section to get involved. We need residents who have some time and some interest in recreation or meeting other local residents.”

Resolution 3

Resolve to join Rotary Club of the Abingtons, where you can put time and talents to use in support of our local community and beyond in response to their motto “Service above self.” To do this, attend a Rotary meeting at the Inn at Nichols Village any Thursday at 12:10 p.m. or contact Rotary President Tata Mbugua at 587-5528 for more information.

Resolution 4

Sign up to deliver Meals on Wheels of Lackawanna County. According to Linda Steier, they need “someone who can make a difference, who has a warm and caring heart. Our volunteers are special in that they are out there in the elements – rain, sun, snow – it takes a special person to go out and knock on that door and put on a smile. Sometimes that’s the only contact they have.” Their mission is to meet the nutritional needs of the elderly and/or disabled person. For information, contact Steier at 346-2421.

Resolution 5

Persuade friends and family to donate a set amount of money to St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen for every pound you lose on your New Year’s diet so that someone else can eat. Head Chef, Chick DePietro said that if a person collects $100 or more, he or she can become host for the day. This includes serving on any day you select. It can also be done in tribute to a birthday or anniversary. All donations can be mailed to St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen, 500 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509. Or call 342-5556 and ask for Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi to discuss any other ideas.

Resolution No. 6

Volunteer to help with the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice. The annual event will take place February 12 to16. Abington Business and Professional Association Executive Director Laura Ancherani said, “If anyone would like to volunteer to help out, they can assist with day of preparation, such as assisting vendors in setting up at the borough building or participating in the parade or they can help out beforehand with the parade, entertainment or vendor committees. As you can imagine there is a lot that goes into putting together the festival and as it grows each year, so does the preparation. The committee will begin meeting again after the holidays, so if anyone would like to help they can contact the ABPA 587-9045 or via e-mail to LauraABPA@aol.com.”

Resolution 7

Sign up to volunteer at the Abington Senior Center. Manager Kathy Stark said, “Our current volunteer needs at the center include entertainment of any kind for our members, usually scheduled on Wednesdays from 11 to 11:45 a.m. The seniors especially enjoy musical groups, instrumental or choral. We’re also looking for people to entertain at our parties that are scheduled throughout the year. I would love to see a choral or instrumental group formed here at the center, but volunteer directors or instructors would be needed to head them. There is also a great interest in the visual arts, which would include drawing, painting, crafts and quilting. All these activities require instructors. That is why there is such a need for volunteers. Doing something you love and passing the knowledge on to someone else is very rewarding personally, and very beneficial to our community as a whole!”

Resolution 8

Get exercise while exercising dogs for the Humane Society of Lackawanna County. They always need dog walkers. The Humane Society’s Janet Garvey points out you can burn calories while walking a dog. You can choose the size of the dog and take him or her on their walking trail in the woods or just throughout the shelter grounds. Not only will you be getting exercise, you will be giving a dog some much needed activity and human interaction. You can also participate in activities such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Santa parade and annual pet walk. The shelter is open seven days a week from noon until 4:30 p.m. and is located at 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit. To find out more, call 586-3700.

Resolution 9

Learn something new. Erica Rogler suggested exploring the arts at the Wyoming County Cultural Center/Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock. Learn Spanish. Throw pots on a potter’s wheel. Make unique jewelry. Stretch, strengthen and relax in yoga. Learn about nature. Create masterpieces as you learn drawing and painting techniques. Design a quilt. Experience the theatre arts. The Dietrich is so much more than the movies for both children and adults. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 or visit www.dietrichtheater.com for details.

Resolution 10

Reuse and recycle. Local ‘eco’purse designer, Mary Jo Loboda, makes purses from the plastic bags you receive at most stores. She sells them the purses with all profits going to charity through The Waverly General Store, 1201 North Abington Road, Waverly or www.waverly generalstore.com or TheRBag@gmail.com. For $30, pick up an extra large bag that will fit your groceries (or use your imagination) and she will donate every penny to the St. Luke’s Children’s Mission in Haiti. One purse will feed 167 children for one day. They are exclusive, beautiful, durable and washable bags. Any one wanting to donate plastic bags can drop them off at The Abington Journal, 211 State Street, Clarks Summit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For groceries, you can also buy canvas bags like the ones they sell at Weis Markets, $.99 for a canvas bag or $1.99 for a thermal bag. They can be used over and over again, and according to Store Manager, Gil Johnson, they are available for sale in the store Monday through Sunday 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Resolution 11

Give the gift of blood. The Red Cross is always looking for donors. If you’re 110 pounds and 17 years of age or 16 with parents’ permission, they could use your blood. Call 344-8996 for more information.

Resolution 12

Join the local Volunteer Fire Company. What does the Clarks Summit Fire Company look for in a volunteer? Fire Company Recruiter, Bob Bowen, Jr., said individuals (men and women) need to possess a keen interest in helping the community in every type of emergency. They should have the attributes of honesty, integrity, flexibility and a willingness to contribute some of their time to the company. No previous experience is required; they will train volunteers or send them to training paid for by the fire company, especially for emergency medical technicians. “We have a critical need for more EMTs. CSFC is staffed 100 percent by volunteers, not all of whom are emergency medical technicians or firefighters. We need volunteers for those activities, of course, but also assisting with maintenance of the building, grounds and apparatus, administrative duties, fundraising, training and education. We respond to over 1,000 EMS calls annually and approximately 300 fire emergency calls as well. We operate with one engine, one ladder truck, one rescue and the ambulance. Tours can be arranged at the candidate’s convenience anytime. Interested people may contact me by calling my residence at 586-9241 or email me at bbowen@clarkssummitfire.com.”