Luzerne Foundation dedicates garden in memory of Janet ‘Jefie’ Flack

WILKES-BARRE — Representing her family, Jamie Flack Eckman Thursday tried to envision what her late father, Charles “Rusty” Flack, would say if he were standing next to her.

The Luzerne Foundation Thursday dedicated its Garden Courtyard at its annual Rusty Flack Society event. The landscaping for the garden, located outside of the Luzerne Foundation’s headquarters on South River Street, was donated by Mary and Al Erwine in memory of community advocate Janet “Jefie” Flack, Rusty Flack’s late sister.

“If I could wake my father up and have him here today, I think he would be very proud of all of you here today and of the Luzerne Foundation and its work,” Flack Eckman said. “And he would be very proud of the garden being dedicated in Jefie’s memory.”

Flack Eckman also said her father would be proud to see his family members at the event and he would be happy to see how well they are doing and how the family has grown. Hal Flack, Rusty’s brother, attended with his wife, Jean, and granddaughter, Clara. Rusty’s son, Chad, was also in attendance with his fiance, Jennifer O’Brien.

“Jefie was a dear friend who lived each day to the fullest and it is our sincere hope that this garden’s beauty will reflect the beauty of her legacy” said Mary Erwine.

The Rusty Flack Society was named in honor of the late Charles D. “Rusty” Flack, Jr. who was a founding member of the Luzerne Foundation, longtime board member and community philanthropist.

The Rusty Flack Society is a group of charitable individuals who have named the Luzerne Foundation as the beneficiary of any type of planned or deferred gift in their will or estate.

“Rusty Flack modeled servitude, and he left an indelible footprint for us to follow” said C. David Pedri, President and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation. “Associating his name with this legacy society is a fitting tribute to him and his family and it serves as a reminder of the Foundation’s mission to support the community far into the future.”

The Foundation also provided four “Door Opener” awards to individuals who assisted the Luzerne Foundation in connecting the Foundation with a new individual interested in assisting others.

Attorneys Patrick Aregood and Alex Russin, as well as Richard Hazzouri of Morgan Stanley, were honored for working with the Foundation to connect their clients who set up legacy funds at the Luzerne Foundation.

These new funds will provide dozens of scholarships to local students as well as grants to area non-profits every year.

The final Door Opener Award was provided to Attorney Allan Kluger of Hourigan Kluger and Quinn, a founding member of the Luzerne Foundation, to honor him for his decades of service to our community.

“The Luzerne Foundation can assist anyone who is looking to pay it forward to our community and I want to thank these four men for assisting us help others” said Luzerne Foundation incoming Board Chair Tara Mugford Wilson.

At the end of the evening, Luzerne Foundation President David Pedri reminded the more than 100 people in attendance that the Foundation is “Here for Good.’

“Do you want to make our community better? So do we. Let’s do it together,” said Pedri.

Rusty Flack was a founding member of The Luzerne Foundation, longtime board member and community philanthropist. The Rusty Flack Society is a membership list of those who have named The Luzerne Foundation as the beneficiary of any type of planned or deferred gift and who choose to be listed. There is no minimum amount needed to qualify and, to date, The Foundation has received bequests, or is aware of future bequests or other types of planned gifts ranging from $1,000 to $1 million from The Rusty Flack Society members. These gifts support numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the community.