Members of the Student Action Subcommittee met recently to plan the “Operation: CAN DO” drive. From left are Student Action Subcommittee co-chairs John Yang, Hazleton Area High School, and Kimberly Gatski, Weatherly Area High School; subcommittee advisors Nancy Stasko and Charles Burkhardt; and subcommittee co-chair David Lopez, MMI Preparatory School. Download a complete list of items appropriate for donation.

(HAZLETON, PA – September 19, 2008) – Local students serving on a CAN DO committee are again spearheading a collection of items for servicemen and women serving in the Middle East who have ties to Greater Hazleton for the upcoming holiday season.

The CAN DO Student Action Subcommittee is organizing its fourth annual “Operation: CAN DO” drive to send care packages to the troops who have to spend the holidays away from their families and friends.

Last year’s “Operation: CAN DO” collection for the troops was the biggest success yet and the students are hoping to increase the number of items this year to support even more soldiers who find themselves halfway around the globe serving our country. In fact, the students are also hoping to be able to secure the names of more servicemen and women with ties to the area this year so the project can reach more people.

The event is being coordinated by CAN DO Student Action Subcommittee members Kimberly Gatski, Weatherly Area High School; David Lopez, MMI Preparatory School; and John Yang, Hazleton Area High School, who all serve as co-chairs for this year’s event.

“Through ‘Operation: CAN DO,’ we have the opportunity to thank our troops for all they are doing to protect our freedom. Sending them care packages from home will remind them that their families and friends are thinking of them and appreciate their service,” Yang said.

Donations from business and individuals will be accepted Oct. 1-24 and will be used to purchase items for the care packages. Donations may be made from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at CAN DO’s Renaissance Building in downtown Hazleton, 1 S. Church St. (the corner of Broad and Church streets), on the second floor.

The care packages will be assembled at the end of October and shipped overseas in time to arrive for the holidays.

Business or individuals who would like to make monetary donations are asked to make checks payable to “Operation: CAN DO.” Donations may be sent to “Operation: CAN DO,” c/o Nancy Stasko, 1 S. Church St., Suite 200, Hazleton, PA 18201.

Those who have a loved one who will be stationed overseas during the holidays are encouraged to submit his or her name and overseas delivery information to the address listed above.

Download a complete list of items appropriate for donation or contact Nancy Stasko at 455-1508 or e-mail nstasko@hazletoncando.com. The list includes items such as canned potato chips; individual packets of crackers, trail mix, etc.; hard candy; coffee bags; creamer packets; sealable freezer bags; soap; baby wipes; lip balm; sun block; personal packs of tissues; foot powder; blister pads; blister medication; bug repellent wipes; magazines; new paperback novels; puzzle books and disposable cameras.

The CAN DO Student Action Subcommittee is involved throughout the year in helping to coordinate several community events, including the annual CAN DO Community Christmas celebration. The committee is made up of local high school students who are appointed to serve as non-voting members of the CAN DO Board of Directors.

Members of this year’s Student Action Subcommittee are Sarah Farkus, John Yang, Donna Chen and Alba Espinosa, Hazleton Area High School; Kathryn Knowlden and Robert Weldon, Immanuel Christian School; Katie Laputka and David Lopez, MMI Preparatory School; and Nicole Caccese and Kimberly Gatski, Weatherly Area High School.

Nancy Stasko and Charles Burkhardt serve as Student Action Subcommittee advisors.