News and information about CAN DO for the community, investors, volunteers and board members.
The CAN DO Student Action Committee stayed busy throughout the year, hosting annual events that allowed students to develop leadership skills, grow professionally, and experience the impact of community service firsthand.
As the 2024-2025 Student Chair, Alexander Composto, a senior at MMI Preparatory, embraced these values, leading the committee with dedication and enthusiasm. Now, as his tenure comes to a close, he reflects on the skills he’s gained and the lasting impact the Student Action Committee will continue to have
“Serving in this role gave me a level of responsibility I had not yet been able to attain,” Composto said. “I feel much more confident in my public speaking, I’ve improved my organizational skills, and I’ve worked to ensure that students feel comfortable and engaged as members of the committee.”
Greater Hazleton CAN DO, Inc. is ushering in a new chapter for its Economic Development Department, strengthening its leadership structure with two internal promotions and a key new hire. Under the direction of Jocelyn Sterenchock, Director of Economic Development, the changes help to align the department’s operations with CAN DO’s long-term vision, allowing the team to more effectively manage business attraction, retention, and community development initiatives.
Greater Hazleton CAN DO, Inc. is excited to announce the addition of Ryan Heck as its new Accounting Specialist.
In this role, Heck will oversee the organization’s daily accounting functions, prepare financial statements, manage budgeting processes, and conduct various types of financial analysis. He will also work closely with CAN DO’s Chief Financial Officer, Patricia Gendler, to ensure the continued financial success of the organization.
Heck brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position, with over five years of success in fast-paced corporate environments. He most recently served as a Staff Accountant with Mericle Commercial Real Estate, where he managed accounts payable for over 300 LLCs, processed intercompany transactions, reconciled client accounts, and implemented system-wide transitions to digital invoice records and online bill payments. Heck has also held roles as a Credit Analyst at Luzerne Bank and as a Staff Accountant with Morey, Nee, Buck & Oswald CPA, LLC.
Hazleton’s holiday season officially began with a series of festive events that brought residents together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. The collaborative efforts of local organizations and sponsors created the magical kickoff, in a citywide initiative titled ‘Hazleton for the Holidays’.
The holiday season in Hazleton kicks off with a series of joyful happenings, all part of the annual Hazleton for the Holidays celebration – a partnership between the City of Hazleton, CAN DO, the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress (DHAP), the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, the Hazleton Art League, the Hazleton Public Library, and the Hazleton LaunchBox Supported by Pasco L Schiavo.
This year’s family-friendly events, which span throughout the month of December, include Mayor Cusat’s City Hall Tree Lighting, Sunday Christmas Village events, and Sunday Santa Parades ; CAN DO’s Community Christmas and CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting; the Hazleton Public Library’s Character Story time Reading; the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Hazleton Holiday Mixer; the Hazleton Art League’s December Art Exhibition; DHAP’s Wassailfest & Downtown Hazleton Night Market; and many more.
The CAN DO Student Action Committee recently concluded its 20th annual Operation: CAN DO drive with the delivery of dozens of donated items to the Freeland American Legion Post 473.
Operation: CAN DO, which kicked off in early October, is a collaborative effort between the Freeland American Legion Post 473 and CAN DO’s Student Action Committee to create care packages for military service members hailing from the Greater Hazleton area who are stationed away from home during the upcoming holiday season. These packages primarily consist of personal care products, food, and entertainment items, all generously donated by members of the Greater Hazleton area community.
CAN DO continues to build a talented and dedicated team to support its efforts in improving the quality of life in the Greater Hazleton Area through the creation and retention of a full range of employment opportunities. Earlier this year, James Reimold, a recent graduate from the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, joined the CAN DO staff as its Utilities Intern.
Who are you and where are you from?
I am James Reimold and I am from Drums, Pennsylvania.
We love seeing local students stay in the area after they graduate! What made you want to stay in Greater Hazleton? Do you plan on staying in the area after college?
I wanted to stay in the Hazleton area because it is where I grew up and there are a lot of excellent employment and development opportunities. Ideally, I would like to stay in the area after college.
CAN DO, Inc. joined Lineage Logistics on Tuesday, October 29 to celebrate the grand opening of its new, fully automated cold storage facility in Humboldt Industrial Park – located in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. This state-of-the-art, 386,000-square-foot facility marks an important addition to the park and strengthens Lineage’s presence in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Lineage’s new cold storage facility is designed to enhance the supply chain with greater speed and accuracy. The facility includes 85,000 pallet positions for temperature-controlled food storage and incorporates innovative automation systems, including cranes and rail-guided vehicles to handle products quickly and efficiently. Additionally, Lineage’s custom-built technology streamlines the receiving process, boosting efficiency for its customers. This facility is part of Lineage’s growing network of over 80 locations that demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation in cold storage and keeping food safe and secure.
The CAN DO Student Action Committee, in collaboration with the Freeland American Legion Post 473, announces the 20th annual Operation: CAN DO.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the campaign, which creates care packages for military service members hailing from the Greater Hazleton area who are serving away from home during the upcoming holiday season.
CAN DO held its 17th annual Curb Appeal Awards on Tuesday, September 17, at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Hazle Township. The annual event, which has become a fixture for local industry, honors tenants across CAN DO’s business and industrial parks for their commitment to enhancing their properties through outstanding landscaping and grounds maintenance. Judged by Dr. Sherri Homanko and Jim Dino, the properties were evaluated on first impressions, landscaping appeal, safety and cleanliness, and overall creativity in maintaining and beautifying their spaces.