After months of planning and weeks of collecting donations, members of the CAN DO Student Action Committee on Thursday delivered thousands of items donated by businesses and individuals throughout Greater Hazleton as part of the annual “Operation: CAN DO” drive.

The food, books and personal care items, delivered to American Legion Post 473 in Freeland, will be used to create care packages that will be delivered to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving abroad who have ties to Greater Hazleton.

This is the ninth year of the Operation: CAN DO program. CAN DO has partnered with the Freeland American Legion since the drive’s inception, and members of the Student Action Committee once again expressed their thanks on Thursday to Commander Gerald Gaffney and other members of the Freeland American Legion in recognition of their continued assistance with the program and their dedication to the men and women of the United States military.

CAN DO President Kevin O’Donnell said, “It is an honor to join forces with the Freeland American Legion as we support American troops overseas. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ goes out to the members of the American Legion, the Student Action Committee, committee advisers Charles Burkhardt and Nancy Stasko and all the students and organizations who help us make the holidays a little brighter for our troops. We would also like to thank Arc Electric for its assistance in delivering the items to the Freeland American Legion.”

CAN DO Chairman Llewellyn F. Dryfoos III said, “Through the support of our community, Operation: CAN DO continues to be a success. We are so pleased each year to see how this project for our troops brings together businesses, clubs, schools and residents across our region. On behalf of CAN DO, I would like to express our appreciation to everyone who has contributed to Operation: CAN DO.”

Schools and school clubs that collected and donated items are Drums Elementary/Middle School and the school’s National Junior Honor Society and Student Council, Freeland Elementary/Middle School and the school’s Builders Club, Hazleton Area High School, Immanuel Christian School, Marian Catholic High School, MMI Preparatory School and Weatherly Area High School.

Those with loved ones serving abroad can still submit names and contact information to CAN DO, c/o Nancy Stasko, 1 S. Church St., 200 Renaissance Center, Hazleton, PA 18201 or by calling 570-455-1508 or e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“This project is a perfect way to show our servicemen and women how much we appreciate them,” said Operation: CAN DO co-chair Walker Day of Immanuel Christian School. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share a little bit of home with them during the holidays,” said Operation: CAN DO co-chair Dan Synoski of Hazleton Area High School.

The Student Action Committee is made up of local high school students appointed to serve as members of CAN DO’s board of directors. Members of this year’s committee are Nicole Barber, Dan Synoski, Luke Olander and Gabrielle Ator, Hazleton Area High School; Walker Day and Rebecca Wolfe, Immanuel Christian School; Hayle Shearer and Haylee Kirschner, MMI Preparatory School; Arianna Srinivasan, Mary Susan McAndrew and Hunter Berger, Marian High School; and Shannon Sarosky and Samantha Hartz, Weatherly Area High School.

The CAN DO Student Action Committee helps coordinate several programs and events in the community. One of those events is the annual CAN DO Community Christmas, which will be held Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in downtown Hazleton.