Millennium Circle Fund of the Luzerne Foundation Presents Grant to Care & Concern Ministries

Millennium Circle Fund of the Luzerne Foundation Presents Grant to Care & Concern Ministries

The Millennium Circle Fund of The Luzerne Foundation recently presented a $30,000 grant to The Care & Concern Ministries, a program of St. John the Evangelist Church in Pittston. The organization was chosen from twenty-four submissions which were narrowed down to five finalists at the Millennium Circle’s annual meeting.

During the Annual Luncheon, a representative from each of the nonprofit finalists presented to almost 200 Millennium Circle members and guests how the $30,000 grant would help their organization and by extension the community. Only Millennium Circle members could vote on which charity should receive the grant.

St. John The Evangelist Parish Community conducted a needs assessment and additional studies that indicated there are nearly 3,000 uninsured children and over 17,000 uninsured or underinsured adults in our service area and over 40,000 in Luzerne County. People without medical insurance generally do not receive or seek preventative care. For many people, by the time they do seek care, it is generally in an emergency room. By this time it may be a serious condition that could have been prevented and made less serious if they had been able to see a physician sooner. Lack of ability to obtain medical care adversely affects a person’s quality of life. After conducting a resource assessment, the Care and Concern Clinic opened its doors in November of 2007. On October 16, 2008, a Food Bank opened in the same building and future plans include the implementation of a Clothes Closet (with new or slightly used clothing), a Well Baby Clinic, to respond to the needs of young families and to provide ongoing Dental, Vision and Hearing Screenings.

However because of the antiquated heating system in the building, when any one of the ministries is in operation, the entire building (four floors) must be heated with a projected utilities cost over $40,000 annually. The Millennium Circle Grant allowed for an upgrade of these rooms with individual heating units and the flexibility to heat only those rooms needed for services being offered. Msgr. John J. Bendik, Pastor at St. John The Evangelist Parish Community commented, “We are so grateful to members of the Millennium Circle. Although we have no other source of income other than Parish donations, we will never not have sufficient funds to reach out to the poor and needy throughout our area. We’re here to assist anyone in need, regardless of their background or beliefs. In addition to our food pantry and free medical clinic we plan to soon expand our services to include a clothing room, well baby clinic and outreach to young mothers. This generous grant will make our plans a reality!” The Millennium Circle Fund of the Luzerne Foundation was created by a special group of donors whose gifts of $2,000 play a pivotal role in helping The Luzerne Foundation identify unmet community needs. The ultimate goal is to have 2,000 members and a fund that would present community grants totaling $200,000 or more each year. The Luzerne Foundation helps people create funds to do good things today and lasting good for tomorrow. It is a simple, personal and powerful way to give back to the community. For more information about the Millennium Circle Fund or any of the other over 200 funds housed at The Luzerne Foundation please contact us at 570-714-1570 or www.luzfdn.org.

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All names left to Right Front Row: Deacon James Cortegerone, Co-Chair Care & Concern Ministries; Ann Cocco, Co-Chair Care & Concern Ministries; Bernie Ambrosino, C&C Nursing Advisor & Board Member; Nathan Ambrosino; Cathy Rusnok, C&C Board Member

Back Row: Charles Barber, President of The Luzerne Foundation; Peggy Burke, C&C Food pantry Coordinator; Nancy Baiera, C&C Board member; Charie Aponick, Chairperson of The Millennium Circle Fund of The Luzerne Foundation; Msgr John Bendik, Community of St. John the Evangelist and Care & Concern Ministries; Dr. John Callahan, Care & Concern Medical Advisor; Gloria Blandina, C&C Board Member