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‘Night at the Ballpark’ supports cancer survivors

By Adam Roberts aroberts@theabingtonjournal.com

MOOSIC- The Leadership Lackawanna “Night at the Ballpark for Cancer Survivors” is the group’s final fundraiser for the Cancer Survivors Park at McDade Park in Scranton.

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From left Kristen Sampson, Kristie Grier Ceruti, Stacy Frantz of Leadership Lackawanna, David Raven, president and CEO of Pennstar Bank and Carolyn Augustyn of Leadership Lackawanna.

Abington Journal/Adam Roberts

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The 2008-2009 class of Leadership Lackawanna is working to raise $22,000 for the restoration of the Cancer Survivor Park, which features ceramic tile towers that were painted by cancer survivors in 1999. After 10 years in the elements, the towers are in need of repair.

The money raised is going toward tile replacement, landscaping and design, tribute planting and promotional costs.

“We’re trying to restore the original purpose of the park and that’s to provide a meditative place for cancer survivors,” said Leadership Lackawanna class member Stacey Frantz.

The group has raised $16,000, including donations from Super-Bowling for a Cause at Idle Hour Lanes, Celebrity Bartending at the Stone Elephant in Olyphant and an outreach to businesses, as well as grant funding from the Lackawanna Environmental Conservation and Outdoor Recreation (LECOR) Partnership Program.

Their final event will take place Friday, May 15 at PNC Field when the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees play the Charlotte Knights.

A VIP package for the game is being sponsored and hosted by Pennstar Bank. This $50 ticket package includes one of 18 seats in the Pennstar Bank luxury box, along with food and beverages and a pre-game behind -the -scenes tour of the press box, dugout and locker room. Attendees will also receive a limited edition Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees hat. Post-game fireworks will be held.

David Raven, President and CEO of Pennstar, saw this partnership as a worthwhile opportunity to help. “We try to be a good corporate citizen,” said Raven. “Despite the poor economy, we’re in a position where we can make donations to good causes.”

There are also a limited number of $15 tickets available. This package includes a reserved upper level stadium seat as well as the hat and fireworks.

For their final fundraiser, the group wanted to provide the community with a family-friendly event. “We decided to work with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees because of the family atmosphere. It’s a great night out with family and friends to celebrate the Cancer Survivors of Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Leadership Lackawanna class member Carolyn Augustyn. To reserve tickets, call Carolyn Augustyn at 561-6658 by Friday at noon. For more information about the project or to donate, visit www.cancersurvivorspark.com