The CAN DO Student Action Committee is asking the Greater Hazleton community for its assistance in obtaining contact info of military members with ties to Greater Hazleton as part of the 12th annual Operation: CAN DO program that assembles care packages for local military members who are stationed overseas.

The Student Action Committee is encouraging residents throughout Greater Hazleton to submit names and addresses of any family members or friends who are actively serving in the military and have ties to Greater Hazleton. Names can be submitted to Nancy Stasko, Student Action Committee adviser, by calling 570-455-1508 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Names can also be mailed to “Operation: CAN DO,” c/o Nancy Stasko, 1 S. Church St., Suite 200, Hazleton, PA 18201.

“Last year’s drive was our most successful one yet and we couldn’t have done it without the generosity of the Greater Hazleton community. But we need everyone’s help by providing contact information for military members so we can distribute our care packages,” Stasko said. “We’re encouraging everyone to share the names and addresses of local military members so we can bring a piece of Greater Hazleton to these brave men and women who are stationed so far away from home.”

During the 2015 drive, United States Air Force serviceman Michael DellaVella, whose wife is a Kelayres native, received a care package and later attended a CAN DO Board of Directors meeting to present the Student Action Committee with a flag that was flown in an aircraft during a mission over Southeast Asia in thanks for receiving the package. DellaVella said his package included protective gear such as gloves and wrist guards that were invaluable to him and his fellow service members.

The Student Action Committee have been collecting items and monetary donations, which will then be transported to the Freeland American Legion Post 473 and presented at their November meeting.

The Operation: CAN DO drive is being coordinated by co-chairs Dominic Yannuzzi, of Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, and Corrin Dagostin, of Marian High School.

Additional members of this year’s Student Action Committee are Michael Kulish, of Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences; Lauren Pataki, Jerry Gasser, Mark Abdelmalek and Alexandra Rentz, of Hazleton Area High School; Pemely Guzman and Christopher Danishefsky, of Immanuel Christian School; Jenna O’Donnell, of Marian High School; Kayla Leonard, Joshua Narrow, Zach Gera and Jakob Schwabe, of MMI Preparatory School; and Samantha DeSpirito and Jillian Bartel, of Weatherly Area High School.

In addition to Stasko, Charles Burkhardt also serves as an adviser to the committee.

The CAN DO Student Action Committee 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.