can do logo

facebook twitter linkedin youtube

One S. Church Street, Suite 200, Hazleton, PA 18201      
570.455.1508   570.454.7787    

 

CAN DO News

News and information about CAN DO for the community, investors, volunteers and board members.

Tina HuangCAN DO continues to build a talented and dedicated team to support its efforts of fostering economic development and community growth in the Greater Hazleton area. This summer, the CAN DO staff is joined by Tina Huang, a newly graduated student from Penn State Hazleton specializing in Business and Project & Supply Chain Management, as a Marketing & Communications Intern.

Who are you and where are you from?

Hi, my name is Tina Huang, a first-generation college graduate from Effort, PA – a small town near Stroudsburg and Tannersville. I am a passionate individual who wants to make the best out of everything, including for myself, my family, and those around me.

Rockin the MountainCAN DO, Inc. is proud to announce its sponsorship of the City of Hazleton and the Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s inaugural ‘Rockin’ The Mountain’ music series, which is set to take place this summer at City View Park in Hazleton. In addition to the concerts being free and open to the public, there will be live entertainment featuring prominent tribute acts, as well as food and beverage vendors. The dates and acts are as follows:

Friday, June 21: Philadelphia Freedom: A Tribute to Elton John, with opening act, Six Shots

Friday, June 28: An Evening With Stevie: A Tribute to Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac, with opening act, Leeann & Company

Friday, July 5: Danny V’s 52nd Street Band: A Tribute to Billy Joel, with opening act, Ostrich Hat

Sarah Polashenski Student ChairThe CAN DO Student Action Committee has had a busy year executing its annual signature events. During this time, Sarah Polashenski, a senior from Immanuel Christian School in Hazleton, has lead the students as the committee’s first Student Chair.

While members of the CAN DO Student Action Committee have long been involved in the organization's initiatives, the students expressed an increased desire to play a more substantial role within the organization. At the start of the 2023-24 fiscal year, CAN DO created the new ‘Student Chair’ position in response to their enthusiasm with Polashenski’s official appointment following soon after.

Kevin ODonnell webIn remembrance of the late W. Kevin O’Donnell, the CAN DO Community Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the ‘W. Kevin O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship Fund’. This fund, created in collaboration with CAN DO, Inc. and The Luzerne Foundation, seeks to honor O’Donnell’s legacy and his years of commitment to community service.

The W. Kevin O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship will support a $2,500 annual scholarship to provide post-secondary tuition assistance for qualifying students residing within the geographic area of the Hazleton Area School District. Qualifying applicants must be admitted to and/or attending an accredited college or university to study Engineering, Architecture, Construction, Economic Development, or a similar field. Scholarships will be awarded based on community involvement and academic achievement, and will be selected by a committee of individuals representing CAN DO, Inc., the O’Donnell Family, and the Luzerne Foundation.

Hazleton for the Holidays webCAN DO and the City of Hazleton invite the community to celebrate ‘Hazleton for the Holidays’ during City Hall’s Annual Tree Lighting as well as the 30th Annual CAN DO Community Christmas. These festive and family-friendly events are part of the Hazleton Holiday Celebration, which will be held on Wednesday, December 6th, at City Hall Block – 40 N. Church Street from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

This year’s event is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Mayor’s Office, CAN DO, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress (DHAP), Hazleton Parks and Recreation, and the Hazleton Public Library as part of the new 'Hazleton for the Holidays' campaign, a city-wide initiative to unite the community in festive celebration.

The evening’s primary event will feature the Mayor’s City Hall Tree Lighting, which begins at 5:00 pm. In addition, the Hazleton Library will have the Grinch on hand for family photo opportunities as well as light refreshments.

CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting800pxCAN DO’s Student Action Committee, in collaboration with the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress and the Hazleton Art League will hold its third annual CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the park located at the corner of N. Broad and Laurel Streets in Downtown Hazleton.

The event, which will take place during Downtown Hazleton’s Wassailfest and First Friday, marks the kickoff of the 'Hazleton for the Holidays' campaign, a city-wide initiative to unite the community in festive celebration. Open to the public, those in attendance can take their photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate bar maned by the CAN DO Student Action Committee, and enjoy performances by the Olde Towne Carolers.

During the month of November, CAN DO celebrated the completion of three major projects in the Greater Hazleton area – the ribbon cuttings for the Hazleton Area Arts & Humanities Academy, the long-awaited Route 424 Extension, and the Arcadia Cold Storage facility, each symbolizing growth and progress in the region.

Ana PerezCAN DO, Inc. recently appointed Ana Perez as its Economic Development Assistant. In this role, Perez is responsible for administering CAN DO’s Economic Development Department and its sub-organizational brands, such as the CAN BE Innovation Center. She will also assist in the execution of marketing campaigns and organizational events as well as organization and oversight of CAN DO’s Student Action Committee.

CAN DO’s Director of Economic Development, Jocelyn Sterenchock, said, “Ana will be a great asset to CAN DO. Her creativity, passion for education, and commitment to community perfectly align with our values as an organization. Her dynamic approach will be invaluable as we continue to drive economic growth and support our community's entrepreneurs and students.”

Operation CAN DO 2023 GroupThe CAN DO Student Action Committee recently concluded its 19th 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 joint 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 that are collected and donated by members of the Greater Hazleton area community.

Operation CanDo Logo 2022 v2The CAN DO Student Action Committee, in collaboration with the Freeland American Legion Post 473, is excited to announce the commencement of the 19th annual Operation: CAN DO drive. This heartfelt campaign aims 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.

The campaign, which runs throughout the month of October, officially began with the distribution of letters to the area’s local schools and businesses, requesting both goods and monetary contributions to assemble these care packages.

CANBElogo