operationCDplanningThe CAN DO Student Action Committee is seeking donations for the 13th annual Operation: CAN DO drive that creates care packages that are sent to military service members stationed overseas.

Committee members kicked off this year’s campaign earlier this month when they sent letters to area schools and businesses requesting goods or monetary donations. The students, in cooperation with American Legion Home Association Post 473 in Freeland, will use the items to create care packages to send to servicemen and servicewomen with ties to Greater Hazleton who will be stationed abroad for the holidays.  

The Student Action Committee is requesting a variety of non-perishable food, personal hygiene and entertainment items, such as tuna or chicken salad kits, energy bars, gloves, lip balm, magazines and puzzle books. For a complete list of items appropriate for donation, contact CAN DO Director of Administration and Student Action Committee co-advisor Nancy Stasko at 570-455-1508 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Items will be collected through October 26 at Arc Electric, 123 Warren Street in West Hazleton, or at the CAN DO office on the second floor of the Renaissance Center, 1 South Church Street in Hazleton, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All items will be transported to the Freeland American Legion Post 473 where they will be packaged in November for shipping overseas.

Businesses 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 South Church St., Suite 200, Hazleton, PA 18201.

Local residents are also encouraged to submit names and addresses of servicemen and servicewomen with ties to Greater Hazleton who are serving abroad. Names can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CAN DO, Inc. recently appointed Charles F. McElwee III as its Economic Development Specialist and Jocelyn Sterenchock as the Coordinator of Entrepreneurial Services.

CAN DO President and CEO Kevin O’Donnell said, “We are delighted to welcome Charles and Jocelyn to CAN DO. Their backgrounds and previous work experience will complement our efforts to facilitate job growth in the community and they will undoubtedly become valuable members of the CAN DO team. Business financing and entrepreneurship are two core components of CAN DO’s strategic plan and we are very excited to have found the perfect fit in both roles so that our organization can continue to serve the Greater Hazleton community in these vital areas.”

curbappeal2017winnersCAN DO celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Curb Appeal Awards with a ceremony to honor its industrial park and corporate center tenants who have beautified and maintained the visual appeal of their properties.

The awards were presented to companies in the Humboldt, Valmont and McAdoo industrial parks, Humboldt Station and the CAN DO Corporate Center during an industry mixer held Thursday at Residence Inn by Marriott in Humboldt Station. The mixer was co-sponsored by Residence Inn and Coordinated Health.

The Curb Appeal Award plaques were presented in the categories of Companies with 1 to 75 employees, Companies with more than 75 employees, Commercial Service and Commercial – Hotels, Restaurants, Retail.

Residence Inn was named the overall winner, receiving the top award in the program. Larry Walko Landscaping completed the landscaping work for the Residence Inn.