Students from more than 10 schools throughout Greater Hazleton organized drives and collected dozens of boxes of supplies as part of the 15th annual Operation: CAN DO drive.

The CAN DO Student Action Committee partners with the Freeland American Legion Post 473 to collect non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, as well as monetary donations, that are used to assemble care packages that are shipped to military members with ties to Greater Hazleton who are stationed abroad for the holidays.

In addition to the school students, many businesses throughout Greater Hazleton set up collection boxes for the annual drive, which was coordinated by Student Action Committee co-chairs and Marian High School students Julia Kreisl and Alexander Kubishin.

Students from many of the local schools, including Arthur Street Elementary Community Service Club, Drums Elementary/Middle School National Junior Honor Society, Hazle Twp. 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, McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary School, MMI Preparatory School, and Valley Elementary Middle School each filled numerous boxes with items as part of the drive.

Charles Burkhardt, Student Action Committee co-advisor said, “On behalf of my fellow co-advisor Nancy Stasko and the Student Action Committee members, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students, as well as the many businesses, throughout Greater Hazleton who made donations to this year’s Operation: CAN DO drive. We are very honored to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this drive and give back to the servicemen and women who will be sacrificing time with their family members this holiday season to fight for our freedom.”  

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..