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WILKES-BARRE — It was a veritable who’s-who among those involved with Luzerne County charities and nonprofit organizations as they gathered together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Luzerne Foundation.
Since 1994, the Luzerne Foundation has been helping to fund prominent nonprofits in the community, hoping to make good on its slogan’s promise of being “Here for Good.”
And on Thursday night at the Westmoreland Club in downtown Wilkes-Barre, the foundation held a fundraising dinner to commemorate its 25th birthday.
But it wasn’t the only group to benefit at the dinner.
Going into Thursday’s dinner, the Luzerne Foundation had selected 26 organizations to receive grants. Twenty-five of the organizations would be receiving grants for $10,000, while one lucky organization would receive a $25,000 grant. Before the dinner, the nonprofits were unaware of what grant they’d be walking away with.
Organizations like the Fine Arts Fiesta, the United Way of Luzerne County, the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association and CASA of Luzerne County were all recipients of $10,000 grants, but at the end of the night, it was the Advocacy Fund for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren who received the $25,000 grant.
The organization was started by state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, who was nothing short of speechless at the announcement of the grant.
“I cannot tell you how humbled we are,” Pashinski said, with obvious emotion in his voice, accepting the grant for his organization that helps with legal assistance for grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Pashinski continued his emotional thank you speech, recognizing all of the people in attendance who, in one way or another, were working to make Luzerne County a better place.
“What a wonderful thing,” he said. “It’s our honor to be here.”
At the conclusion of the evening, the Luzerne Foundation formally recognized Frank Bevevino, who started the Luzerne Foundation, by naming the foundation’s new home after him. The Bevevino Family Center for Charitable Giving now sits on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.
Bevivino’s speech was brief: “Thank you for coming,” he said, before returning to his seat to uproarious laughter.
Charles Barber, president and CEO of the foundation, closed the evening by thanking those in attendance once again, reaffirming the foundation’s promise of being “here for good,” but it was perhaps Rabbi Larry Kaplan who summed up the night best during his benediction.
“All of these grants … we must not take them for granted,” he said, asking God to inspire everyone to continue their charitable efforts.
