Students in schools throughout Greater Hazleton collaborated to collect hundreds of non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for the CAN DO Student Action Committee’s 14th annual Operation: CAN DO drive. The Freeland American Legion Post 473 is assembling the items collected into care packages for military members with ties to the area who will be stationed abroad for the holidays.

Schools and businesses throughout Greater Hazleton set up collection boxes for the Student Action Committee’s annual drive, which was coordinated by co-chairs Morgan Long of MMI Preparatory School and Francine Lamasko of Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences.

Students from many of the local schools, including Arthur Street Elementary Community Service Club, Drums Elementary/Middle School National Junior Honor Society, the Early Learning Center, the Freeland Elementary/Middle School Builders Club, Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, Hazleton Elementary/Middle School, Immanuel Christian School, Marian High School and MMI Preparatory School, each filled numerous boxes with items as part of the drive.

Charles Burkhardt, Student Action Committee co-advisor said, “Once again, we received an overwhelming response to the Operation: CAN DO drive from our area schools and we thank everyone for their support. The Student Action Committee members and my fellow co-advisor Nancy Stasko and I want to thank all of the students, teachers, family members and friends who contributed to the drive so we can help make the holidays a little brighter for our service members.”

Anyone who has a family member or friend who is actively serving in the military can submit their contact information to Nancy Stasko, Student Action Committee advisor, by calling 570-455-1508 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..