Organization co-founded by U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan and his wife, Chelsea
Chelsea Strub Bresnahan signs a mock check as her husband, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., looks on Tuesday during the inaugural round of grants presented by The Greenlight Project that they co-founded.
Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader
Chelsea Strub Bresnahan stands with her husband, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., during Tuesday’s inaugural round of grants presented by The Greenlight Project that they co-founded.
Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader
Bear Creek Township Volunteer Fire Chief Robert Suchocki accepted a check for $6,361 to be used to purchase a Rescue Watercraft that costs a total of $17,000.
Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader
Members of the Bear Creek Twp/ Volunteer Fire Chief accepted a check for $6,361 to be used to purchase a Rescue Watercraft from The Greenlight Project, co-founded by Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., and his wife, Chelsea. Also attending the event were Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, far left, and C. David Pedri, President and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, far right.
Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader
Several people attended Tuesday’s inaugural round of grants presented by The Greenlight Project.
Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader
BEAR CREEK TWP. — Chelsea Strub Bresnahan stood alongside her husband, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., on Tuesday and announced the inaugural round of grants of The Greenlight Project that they co-founded and is funded by the Congressman’s donation of his first-term salary.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, receives a base annual salary of $174,000 per year. Bresnahan donated his salary to fund The Greenlight Project with his wife.
“This fund is about helping projects get across the finish line,” said Mrs. Bresnahan. “So many organizations are almost there on something great for the community, they just need that last piece to bridge the gap and get it done. That’s exactly where we want to provide support.”
Mrs. Bresnahan used a traffic light for a prop — flipping a switch to change the signal from red to green to get needed projects completed.
Mrs. Bresnahan said this inaugural round of grants represents the first distribution from the fund established through Rep. Bresnahan’s donation, which is expected to support community investments for at least the next eight years.
“When we launched this effort, the goal was to make a lasting investment in the place we’ve always called home,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “This first round of grants is just the beginning.”
On Tuesday, the Greenlight Project awarded $54,232.49 in grants to 16 community initiatives serving communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania — marking the first round of funding.
The announcement was made during an event at the Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company, which received funding to support the purchase of water rescue equipment that will enhance emergency response capabilities in the community.
Bear Creek Township Volunteer Fire Chief Robert Suchocki accepted a check for $6,361 to be used to purchase a Rescue Watercraft that costs a total of $17,000. Chief Suchocki said the funding will support the purchase of a watercraft and related equipment needed for water rescue operations, addressing a critical gap in emergency response capabilities and improving response times during water emergencies.
“The Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company extends its deepest gratitude for the generous support of the Greenlight Project,” Chief Suchocki said. “Without the kindness and commitment of Congressman Bresnahan and Mrs. Bresnahan, we would not have the opportunity to acquire critical, life-saving equipment essential to safeguarding the health and safety of our community.”
Suchocki said volunteer fire departments across the Commonwealth often face significant challenges in securing the resources necessary to effectively carry out their mission.
“Through the Greenlight Project, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner, our department will now be equipped with vital watercraft that will greatly enhance our capacity to respond to water-related emergencies,” Suchocki said. “This extraordinary investment in our department and our community will have a lasting and meaningful impact. We are profoundly grateful for the trust placed in us and for the unwavering support that enables us to continue protecting and serving our residents with the highest level of dedication.”
Mrs. Bresnahan added, “That’s what this is about — supporting solutions that are already in motion and helping them reach the point where they can make a difference.”
Rep. Bresnahan said he grew up watching his grandfather, Wally Kuharchik, help people when they needed a little extra to get something done.
“That’s stayed with me, and it’s exactly what this fund is meant to do,” Rep. Bresnahan said.
Mrs. Bresnahan said collectively, the projects funded in the first round support youth athletics, first responders, food access programs, workforce training, emergency preparedness, and health resources serving communities across the region.
Rep. Bresnahan’s $348,000 contribution, along with additional donations, will fund annual grant cycles administered through The Luzerne Foundation. Projects are selected through an application process based on demonstrated need, readiness, and the ability to deliver immediate, tangible impact.
“The Luzerne Foundation assists those who want to do good things,” said C. David Pedri, President and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation. “Rob and Chelsea have personally stepped up here in a major way to help those who are making a difference in our community every day.”
For information about The Greenlight Project, visit www.greenlightprojectpa.com.
Featured grant recipients
• Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company, $$6,361
• Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, $7,500; Hazleton YMCA pool safety and equipment
The grant will help fund lifeguard chairs, an AED, benches, and lap lane markers for the Hazleton YMCA pool, supporting the safe reopening of the facility to the public in June 2026 following completion of Phase II renovations.
• North Pocono Dandy Lion Little League, $5,000
Serving 400-500 young athletes each year, the North Pocono Dandy Lion Little League will use this grant to upgrade spectator seating and concession stand equipment at its Aston Baseball Complex and Dandy Lion Softball Field, improving safety and comfort for families while supporting the long-term sustainability of the league.
• NorthBound & Co., Stroudsburg, $5,000, ReLaunch Workforce Program.
Funding will support workforce training for justice-impacted individuals pursuing commercial driver’s license certification, helping participants overcome barriers to employment and transition into stable, living-wage careers.
Additional grant recipients
• American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania — Wilkes-Barre — $1,000
Smoke alarm installations for families in need
• Bread Basket of NEPA — Scranton — $1,500
Support for the organization’s DoorDash meal delivery program
• Dallas Township Police Department — Dallas Township — $5,000
Support for establishing a department K-9 unit
• Delaware Highlands Conservancy — Beach Lake — $2,580
AED and Stop the Bleed emergency kit for the Van Scott Nature Reserve
• Eastern Monroe Public Library — Stroudsburg — $2,000
Self-Care Cart providing hygiene and wellness items for individuals in need
• Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation — Ashley — $1,500
Removal and recycling of approximately 300 illegally dumped tires in natural areas
• Jessup Hose Company No. 2 Ambulance — Jessup — $3,500
Toward the purchase of new AEDs for ambulance response vehicles
• Meredith Hose Company — Childs — $1,789.18
New gas monitor to improve firefighter safety
• Monroe County Meals on Wheels — Stroudsburg — $3,500
Support to help reduce the organization’s meal waiting list
• Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1 — Fairview Township — $4,500
Toward a replacement furnace for the fire company garage
• Nicholas P. Hromek Foundation — West Wyoming — $1,000
Support for the Green Bandana Project promoting suicide awareness
• Sights for Hope — Stroudsburg — $2,500
Transportation assistance for individuals with blindness and visual impairments.
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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.