TimesLeader.com

August 2, 2009

Scranton man believes in quantity, quality when aiding charities

Thom Welby, WNEP-TV consultant, dedicates himself to many area causes.

MOOSIC – A Scranton man takes a worker bee approach to volunteering, assisting as many area organizations as he can and as often as his full-time job will allow.

Thom Welby, who is an advertising and promotions consultant for WNEP-TV, says it is something that has been important to him since he was a young boy.

“It (volunteering) was something that kind of was instilled in us as children, both from family as well as school,” Welby said. “You were expected to.

“My dad…was involved in quite a few different things. One of his favorites was the St. Patrick’s Day parade. In fact, every year he used to walk in it and he used to dye his hair green, and he was a member of the committee.”

Among the organizations Welby volunteers with are Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lackawanna College, League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County, NEPA Arthritis Foundation, Stand for Children, Dress For Success, Good Schools Pennsylvania, St. Ann’s Basilica Choir, Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Committee, and First Friday.

He said that all the organizations have special meaning to him.

“There’s a passion with each one of them,” he said.

For example, the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority strives to clean up the environment and use natural resources to improve area communities, a cause important to him, with projects that include constructing nature trails in Scranton.

“With Stand for Children and Good Schools Pennsylvania, it’s obvious. It’s so important for us to stand up and speak for the kids. Everybody has their own group that screams for them… for the kids, there’s really nobody to stand up for them and it’s important that we do that,” he said

Welby said that in addition to helping protect the environment and assisting in community development he is passionate about volunteering with programs that aid children.

“When I was a kid, the United States led the world in science and in math and in inventions and in scientific breakthroughs, now it’s just no longer the case,” Welby said. “We can’t afford to let that continue to happen.”

Welby said that his wife Kathy sometimes volunteers with him and so do his children, Thomas Alden and Emily.

“I don’t expect that they will be maniacs like I am about it, but yes they do help,” he said.

“I think that we have a lot to be proud of here,” the self-proclaimed activist said about the area, adding that he hopes to do his part in making the community a better place in which to live and work.

Communities would especially benefit if everyone pitched in, he said.

“I think we can all give an hour or so to an organization and you can be involved with an organization and not have to be the director, not have to be the planner, the organizer. We all need worker bees. Just give an hour, that’s all,” Welby encouraged. “There are things we can all do to help.”

He cited the difficult economic conditions are creating even a greater need for increased volunteerism.

“With companies, their bottom line being stretched…I suspect that they’re not as able to donate as much employee time,” Welby said. “There’s a greater need (for volunteers) right now.

“I don’t think I’ve done enough, really. I see people that seem to give all the time and I wish I could,” he said.

Most of the groups Welby said that he works with meet at nights or on weekends, but there are some that gather during the day. He said he is thankful that WNEP-TV offers flexibility for him to attend these meetings.

“I’m really, really lucky. I’m blessed with an employer that allows me to be involved in a lot of the things that I do, and that’s really rare, too rare in 2009.”

He urges others to get involved.

“There are so many organizations out there that need help. Find a passion and help out.”

“It’s so rewarding when you see the effects of volunteering,” Welby encouraged. “I really think it’s enriching.

“It’s almost selfish with a lot of projects …because you yourself get so much for it,” he continued.

Welby said he receives satisfaction from watching the projects go from start to finish and how they help shape and change the communities, organizations, etc., for the better.

He also noted by helping he hopes to save on costs for these causes so they can put that money more toward completing their missions.

His hope is that others see it that way.

“There really is a need for each of us to give up at least a little bit of our time,” Welby said. “If each of us just gives up a little bit, we can get so much done.”

Thom Welby

Town of residence: Scranton

Occupation: Advertising, promotions consultant with WNEP-TV

How long: 6 years. Previously worked in advertising and Internet divisions at FOX & WB-TV, 16 years; advertising and promotions director; nightclub DJ at The Station Complex, Wilkes-Barre, 1980-86; on-air personality/program director, WEZX (FM107), WEJL and WPTS radio stations.

Charities, volunteer work: Board chairman, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority; treasurer, Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau board; Lackawanna College Trustee; vice president, League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County board; board member, NEPA Arthritis Foundation; volunteer, Stand for Children; advisory board member, Dress For Success; volunteer, Good Schools Pennsylvania; member, St. Ann’s Basilica choir; director, Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Committee; committee member, First Friday; former board member, volunteer, St. Ann’s Media; former president, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; former member, Lackawanna-Luzerne Consumer Council; former director, Greater Scranton Jaycees; former treasurer, Scranton Parking Authority.Family: Wife, Kathy; son, Thomas Alden, and his wife Roxanne; daughter, Emily

Education: graduate, West Scranton High School; graduate, career academy broadcasting school, New York City; attended Lackawanna College and Penn State Worthington

Hobbies, Interests: volunteering

Volunteer of the Week is a regular feature in The Times Leader Scranton Edition that recognizes individuals, businesses or other organizations for their volunteer efforts and contributions to their communities. To nominate someone to be considered for this feature, e-mail mondrako@scrantonedition.com or call 558-0113.