The Luzerne Foundation

2022 marks The Luzerne Foundation's 26th Invitational Golf Tournament & The Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Memorial Cup. This year, like many others was a great success. Take a moment and view just a few photos from this annual event. [slideshowck id=16605]

The Luzerne Foundation and David Pedri established the Closing Cases Fund to raise public awareness and augment financial support for local law enforcement agencies. The Fund’s purpose is to bring closure to cold cases and resolve for the victim’s loved ones, particularly those involving homicide, missing persons, unidentified bodies, sexual assaults, etc. These services include case review,

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader Wyoming Area Catholic students donate $2,000 to CEO Rabbi Yossi Schulman thanks the children of Wyoming Area Catholic School for collecting $2,000 for the Commission on Economic Opportunity as part of an ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) Project. Seated from left are school principal Eileen Rishcoff, Charles Barber

The Luzerne Foundation announced today that David Pedri is appointed as the new President and CEO of The Luzerne Foundation. An experienced leader, David will succeed Charles M. Barber and assume responsibilities on September 1, 2021. Charles Barber will retire as ofJune 30, 2021 after serving 21 years as President & CEO. “I have worked

The Luzerne Foundation Board of Directors announced that Charles M. Barber, president of one of the region's largest grantmakers, will retire at the end of June 2021. "When Charles was hired in 2000, The Luzerne Foundation had a $2 million in assets and 24 named endowments," said Board Chair John Dowd. "Today, The Luzerne Foundation

Times Leader / Saturday, February 20, 2021 / By Joe Soprano [email protected] The COVID-19 pandemic has affected just about every aspect of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country. And life at the Luzerne Foundation is no different as the organization’s annual Nonprofit Forum is changing due to the pandemic. “This year’s (event) is

Abigail Jerome Guest Columnist | The Times Leader | December 12, 2020 I’m sure you’ve had a little girl come to your door trying to sell girl scout cookies, or have seen a Santa with a bell and kettle around the holidays. Maybe you have even done one of these activities. I know that people

Bridget Dowd Guest Columnist | The Times Leader | December 5, 2020 As the student director of Luzerne Foundation’s Youth Adivisory Committee, this year and throughout my involvement and exposure to YAC for many years, I have been lucky enough to see the “behind the scenes” of charity work, philanthropy and the grant-making process here

Left to right: Charles M. Barber, Luzerne Foundation President & CEO, Donald A. Brominski, Director Business Development UGI UGI Utilities is committed to benefiting our community through their charitable giving. Recently, UGI awarded $7,500 to The Luzerne Foundation to augment its grantmaking relative to COVID -19 and other community needs-based programming.   In

By Times Leader - November 11, 2020 Charles M. Barber Guest Columnist One of my favorite quotes, authored by Margaret Meade, reminds us to, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” There is power in people coming

The Millennium Circle Fund of The Luzerne Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine after members listened intently to five presentations and cast their vote. With the 2020 grant award considered, the Millennium Circle Fund has awarded $414,000 in grant funding since its inception in 2001. "We are so very thrilled and excited to have

Times Leader / Monday, November 2, 2020 Early in 2020, The Luzerne Foundation received a grant award from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. This grant will provide additional funding to area nonprofits and enhance the grantmaking ability of The Luzerne Foundation. “The Weinberg Foundation providing support to The Luzerne Foundation is an ideal example

April 30, 2020 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - In response to the coronavirus outbreak, The Luzerne Foundation announces the first round of grants totaling $91,750 from the Luzerne County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund distributed to 16 organizations. The Luzerne Foundation established the Luzerne County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support nonprofit, community-based organizations working with those

WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 19, 2020) - As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Luzerne Foundation will temporarily close its offices and community conference room on River Street in Wilkes-Barre and all employees will work from remote locations, effective immediately. The Luzerne Foundation will continue to function under its emergency operations plan. The Foundation anticipates

“Did you know that it’s the worst sickness ever?” What do you do when you hear a statement like that from your child? PBS KIDS offers advice for clearing up misinformation and being a calming voice in a time of high anxiety. [helpme_button style="three-dimension" size="large" bg_color="#444444" txt_color="#fff" outline_skin="#444444" outline_hover_skin="#fff" icon="theme-icon-video" url="https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR3tGy7-z6f_6uLiUWaw-SN0YupoPT9QajP2ZfSTf2p3CfbplLP9i8bHLP4?fbclid=IwAR3tGy7-z6f_6uLiUWaw-SN0YupoPT9QajP2ZfSTf2p3CfbplLP9i8bHLP4" target="_blank" align="left" id="Button ID"

VIA has created a Coronavirus Information page on our website for you to use to keep you and your family informed and safe. The page is routinely updated with information on this evolving situation. [helpme_button style="three-dimension" size="large" bg_color="#444444" txt_color="#fff" outline_skin="#444444" outline_hover_skin="#fff" icon="theme-icon-video" url="https://www.wvia.org/what-you-should-know-about-the-novel-coronavirus/" target="_blank" align="left" id="Button ID" margin_bottom="15"]Learn More[/helpme_button]

Times Leader / Gert McGowan - Guest Columnist / August 25, 2019 Gert McGowan Long before I joined Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania (FSA) on July 1, 2019, FSA was leading the charge in information referral in Luzerne County. The journey began in 1972, after the Agnes flood. FSA established Help Line

Make a Donation to This Fund! The Citizens' Voice / Staff Report / Published: August 23, 2019 Jane Lampe Groh The Fine Arts Fiesta, founded in 1956 by Annette Evans with the assistance of Alfred S. Groh, announced Thursday the establishment of the Jane Lampe Groh Fine Arts Fiesta Fund at the Luzerne

By Marcella Kester - For Times Leader WILKES-BARRE — Standing on the stage of the F.M. Kirby Center, Luzerne Foundation President Charles Barber spoke of one of his initial interactions with Gus and Val Genetti. Barber said he first saw the Genettis’ generosity when he relocated to the Wyoming Valley from Florida to take his

BY DENISE ALLABAUGH / PUBLISHED: MARCH 30, 2018 - Citizens' Voice PLAINS TWP. — WVIA Public Media has embarked on a project to address one of the most serious public health challenges: the opioid epidemic. The project began with airing the documentary, “Broken: Women, Families & Opioids” on Thursday night. It will be followed by

Paul Golias, Correspondent / Citizens Voice ASHLEY — A trackside railroad signal that once guided Central Railroad of New Jersey trains into and out of Ashley has been erected at the Anthracite Miners’ Memorial Park. The restored signal will be available for inspection when the new state historical marker commemorating the Huber Breaker is dedicated

The Rotary Club of Plymouth will conduct its 59th annual chicken barbecue on Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Plymouth Armory, Main Street, Plymouth. For tickets, contact Rotarians Janet Franchella at 570-905-6708 or JK Karavis, president, at 570-574-4246. Tickets may also be purchased at Joe Krull’s Barbershop or the Press Box Bistro, both located on Main

The Luzerne Foundation is recognized for having organizational and financial practices that are in accordance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. The Council on Foundations and leaders of the community foundation field created the National Standards in 2000 to aid community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operational practices that would show

Event raises funds for Dr. Jen’s Hope Foundation By Tony Callaio - For Times Leader Jimmy Musto, of Jenkins Township, is thrilled to have his name picked in one of the many raffles at the Fourth Annual Dr. Jen’s Hope Motorcycle Rally and Block Party at Cooper’s Seafood House and Cabana in Pittston.

The Luzerne County Library System announced The Yudichak Family Lighthouse Fund of The Luzerne Foundation recently donated $5,000 to fund the 2016 county-wide summer reading program. The Yudichak Family has funded the program since 2011. The Luzerne County Library System was founded in 1984. It is made up of 10 libraries throughout Luzerne County that

  Provision Permits Tax-free Charitable Transfers from IRAs On December 18, Congress passed the PATH Act, which renews and makes permanent the Charitable IRA provision of 2006, making it easier for Americans to give to causes they care about. This provision has the power to help local charities strengthen their communities by allowing individuals to

By Mark Guydish - [email protected] Gretchen Hunt, from the Commission on Economic Opportunity, gives a two-minute speech about the CEO’s proposed “Food 4 Kids Weekends Backpack Program” during Thursday’s Millennium Circle luncheon. The program received the most votes among five presented to Circle members during the event, winning a $20,000 grant. Aimee Dilger |

Donation supports Summer Reading Program The Luzerne County Library System is pleased to announce that The Yudichak Family Lighthouse Fund of The Luzerne Foundation has generously donated $5,000 to fund the 2015 County-wide Summer Reading Program. The Yudichak Family has funded the program since 2011. The Luzerne County Library System was founded in 1984. It

And the winners are... Volunteers of America-Ruth's Place Commission on Economic Opportunity- Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Center for Healthy Living The Millennium Circle Membership has spoken and for the first time in its fourteen year history-we have a perfect tie! In response to this voting anomaly, The Luzerne Foundation will split the 2014 grant allocation

NANTICOKE — If Walter Mitchell were a rich man, he’d donate to the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre. That’s what he said, or rather sang, Wednesday morning during a presentation at the LCCC Conference Center. His presentation charmed an audience of speakers representing 32 nonprofit organizations from throughout Luzerne County during a nonprofit forum hosted by

Local Nonprofits Have 5 Minutes to Tell Their Story  The Luzerne Foundation will hold its first-ever Nonprofit Forum on Wednesday March 19th at Luzerne County Community College’s Conference Center and Wednesday March 26th at Genetti’s Best Western in Wilkes-Barre.  All Luzerne County 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations are invited to sign up for a five minute time

Youth Advisory Committee Formed at The Luzerne Foundation Student Run Group to Research and Award Grants Students from area high schools across Luzerne County have become members of a newly formed Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) at The Luzerne Foundation to learn the fundamentals and importance of charitable giving in the community.  At the conclusion of

  The Millennium Circle Membership has listened and voted to award the Family Service Association of NEPA – Help Line –PA 211 Transition, the recipient of the 2013 Millennium Circle Grant of $20,000. Excerpt from the Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania: “The program is simple. Anyone throughout ten counties of Northeast PA and access

Since its founding in 1977, Serento Gardens in Hazleton has helped thousands overcome their chemical dependencies by providing support and the opportunity to regain control of their lives.  In The Luzerne Foundation’s Fall Grant Cycle, Serento Gardens was selected to receive a grant for a new program – Stewards of Children, a child sexual abuse

What an interesting year 2012 was –for the Foundation it was a year of change and challenges. We are truly becoming the Center For Philanthropy in our community. We became deeply involved in the recovery efforts from last year’s flooding serving as a part of the Disaster Relief Recovery Coalition and we continue to participate

Michael & Kathleen Hirthler to Receive Bevevino Community Service Award (Luzerne, PA) The Annual Meeting of The Luzerne Foundation will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts beginning with a reception and 5:30 p.m. followed by the meeting at 6:00 p.m. A highlight of the event