The CAN DO Student Action Committee recently concluded its 20th annual Operation: CAN DO drive with the delivery of dozens of donated items to the Freeland American Legion Post 473.

Operation: CAN DO, which kicked off in early October, is a collaborative effort between the Freeland American Legion Post 473 and CAN DO’s Student Action Committee to create care packages for military service members hailing from the Greater Hazleton area who are stationed away from home during the upcoming holiday season. These packages primarily consist of personal care products, food, and entertainment items, all generously donated by members of the Greater Hazleton area community.

This year’s drive was led by committee members and special event co-chairs Javier Vazquez, a senior at Hazleton Area High School, and McKenna Gerhard, a junior at Weatherly Area High School. CAN DO, as well as its Student Action Committee, are grateful for the community’s continued support for this worthwhile initiative.

The commander of Freeland American Legion Post 473, Gerry Gaffney said, "The men and women in our country are incredibly grateful for the donations, and we deeply appreciate CAN DO and the students for their support. I can't say enough about CAN DO and the students—over the 20 years we've been doing this, each year the packages just keep getting bigger and better."

CAN DO’s Student Action Committee members expressed special thanks to the following businesses for their support of the drive: Freeland American Legion Riders Post 473, American Eagle, Aspire Bakeries, Fairway Chevrolet, Leader Services, Michaels Distribution Center, Nestle Health Science, Nucor, Polyglass, Service Electric, and State Representative Dane Watro’s Office.

In addition, the CAN DO Student Action Committee members also thanked the following schools for their contribution: Freeland Elementary School, Hazle Township Early Learning Center, Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, Hazleton Area High School, Hazleton Elem/Middle School, Immanuel Christian School, Little All Stars Care Center, Marian Catholic High School, McAdoo Elem/Middle School, MMI Preparatory School, Valley Elementary /Middle School, and Weatherly Area High School.

The CAN DO Student Action Committee will host three additional upcoming events in Downtown Hazleton: the 31^st Annual CAN DO Community Christmas on Wednesday, December 4^th at 6 PM, the 4^th Annual CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting, as well as Wassailfest & the Downtown Hazleton’s Holiday Night Market on Friday, December 6th at 4:30 PM.

There is still time to submit names and addresses of active service members with ties to Greater Hazleton. If interested, please email Ana Perez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For additional information regarding CAN DO’s annual holiday events, contact CAN DO’s Marketing Communications Specialist, Miguel Polanco at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..