Members of the CAN DO Student Action Committee and Freeland American Legion Post 473 joined forces earlier this month to deliver dozens of boxes with items for military care packages to the Legion’s facility as part of the 15th annual Operation: CAN DO drive.
The items will be used to create care packages for military service members with ties to Greater Hazleton who will be stationed abroad for the holidays. Names and addresses of service members are still being accepted. Family members and friends can submit the contact information via mail to CAN DO, c/o Nancy Stasko, 1 S. Church St., 200 Renaissance Center, Hazleton, PA 18201, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CAN DO President Kevin O’Donnell said, “The Operation: CAN DO drive would not be possible without the generous contributions we receive from area school students, businesses and community members. Each year when we make the delivery to the Freeland American Legion, it’s truly heartwarming to see the dozens of boxes filled with items and know it’s going to make the holidays a little brighter for the military members who are fighting for our freedom.”
CAN DO has partnered with the Freeland American Legion since the drive’s inception. The American Legion manages the shipping of the items to the soldiers abroad. Members of the Student Action Committee once again expressed their gratitude 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.
Student Action Committee members expressed special thanks to Arc Electric for providing warehouse space for the collection and Lehigh Tire/Jim Baran for donating a vehicle. Some additional donors included: Amcor Flexibles North America, Arthur Street Elementary Community Service Club, Bradley Caldwell, Inc., Deb Stone Interiors, Drums Elementary/Middle School, Early Learning Center, Freeland Elementary/Middle School Builders Club, Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, Hazleton Elementary/Middle School, Johns Manville, Manufacturers & Employers Association, Marian Catholic High School, McAdoo, Kelayres Elementary School, MMI Preparatory School, PA Monument Company, PSI Container, Valley Elementary/Middle School and numerous personal donations from area residents.
The Student Action Committee is made up of local high school students appointed to serve as members of CAN DO’s board of directors. This year’s Operation: CAN DO co-chairs are Julia Kreisl and Alexander Kubishin of Marian High School. Additional committee members are: Marin Dremock and Allison Gottstein of Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences; Jasmine Beiler, Daniella Guillen, Isabelle Ritz and Alivia Platek of Hazleton Area High School; Yokaira Concepcion and Cleidy Castillo of Immanuel Christian School; Maxwell Schwabe of Marian High School; Macy Zenier, Christian Badamo and Noah Long of MMI Preparatory School; and Rachel Caccesse and Kelly Royer of Weatherly Area High School. Nancy Stasko and Charles Burkhardt serve as Student Action Committee co-advisors.
