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Friday, January 28, 2000 Page: 10A
Editor’s Note: “Mountain Laurels” is a regular series of letters from
readers conveying thanks to individuals or groups for their support, help or
kindness.
Christmas bakers\ The staff of Hospice Saint John thanks the students and
staff of the Pittston Area High School Key Club and the Wyoming Valley West
High School home economics department for their generous donations of homemade
Christmas cookies for our patients and their families.
Each year, area students participate in baking cookies which are
distributed by Hospice Saint John staff and volunteers. The students have
contributed their time, efforts and talents baking hundreds of delicious
goodies, and we are grateful for their help in brightening the holiday season
and bringing a bit of happiness into the lives of so many.
Carolann Hazleton
Volunteer Coordinator
Hospice Saint John
Pittston Township
Pens’ community spirit
We at Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania have had the plea sure of
working with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, WBRE-TV 28 and Pennsylvania
Blue Shield on a “Scoring Goals for Health” program. Geared to elementary
school students, the program teaches the value of health, wellness and a
positive attitude.
The Penguins players have thrown themselves into the program, reaching out
to the children and reinforcing a positive approach to staying healthy.
Meanwhile, the administrators and teachers at the schools have been wonderful
partners. WBRE-TV and Art Daube, in particular, have shown us what’s possible
when a good idea receives strong community support.
In their first year in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Penguins are proving
that they truly are good for our community.
Marlene Hogrebe
Community Affairs Reprresentative
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre
Holiday duty
A week before Christmas our youngest daughter, Amanda, was in a car acci
dent. Thankfully, she was unhurt.
The Huntington Mills Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance responded to
the scene while in the midst of preparing for their Christmas party. Everyone
was compassionate and caring. The volunteers directed traffic on a cold winter
night and waited for the state police and tow truck to clear the scene. Our
family cannot thank them enough for their commitment to our community.
Dennis, Leanne, Jamie and Amanda Grace
Shickshinny
Scores with new scoreboard
Sometimes there is an individual who does more than expected. Gerald
McGroarty, head of Wilkes-Barre Parks and Recreation, is one of those
individuals. The Parents Clubs from Coughlin High School Field Hockey and
Girls Soccer Team thank Mr. McGroarty for his help in getting the scoreboard
at Guthrie Field installed and running. The girls, parents and fans appreciate
all his help.
Denise Meck
Vice President
Girls Soccer Booster Club
Secretary
Coughlin H.S. Field Hockey
Wilkes-Barre
WVW Penny Day
We express our gratitude to the Wyoming Valley West High School, Plymouth, for
their most generous contribution of $404.16 to Emmaus Project. For those
unaware of Emmaus Project, we serve homeless or about to be homeless single
women and their children.
Wyoming Valley West’s Student Council sponsored a Penny Day on which all
the students at the high school had an opportunity to place their loose change
into the Penny Day container. Our Emmaus Project program was fortunate enough
to be one of the charities chosen for this school year.
The student council, advisers, faculty, students and parents, along with
the Principal Irvin DeRemer, are all to be commended for their kindness. This
money will be well spent to help others in our community.
Sister Patricia Connelly
Director of Emmaus Project
Luzerne
Holiday blood drive
On Dec. 22 the West Side Community Blood Council held its fourth annual
holiday blood drive. Each year, Temple B’nai B’rith in Kingston graciously
provides the site for this event.
The Blood Services staff at the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red
Cross offers heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the drive such a
success. This drive is pivotal to blood supplies throughout the Christmas
holiday. Ninety-two units of blood were collected at that drive.
The consistent generosity of the West Side merchants provides us with
donations that are used as raffle prizes throughout the drive. This year 25
merchants responded with merchandise or gift certificates totaling more than
$400,000.
The Blood Services Department could not possibly fulfill our mission
without the aid of our numerous volunteers.
MaryJo Rice
Director of Blood Services
Wyoming Valley Chapter
American Red Cross
Wilkes-Barre