Laurels’ fair raises $1,850 for Friends of Forgotten
Scrantonedition.com
July 26
The Laurels Health and Rehab Center and The Laurels Assisted Living facility recently hosted a community fair that raised $1,850 for the Friends of the Forgotten, a non-profit organization dedicated to the return of prisoners of war and people missing in action.
The event held at The Laurels facility on Sturges Road, Peckville, drew 150 members of the community who showed support for military veterans. Area organizations donated baskets for the Chinese auction and sponsored booths at the fair.
Festivities began with a parade of motorcycles by the Friends of the Forgotten. Other activities included face painting, clowns, dunk tanks and children’s games. Musical entertainment was provided by Frank Gervasi and Frankie Carll Productions.
In addition to Peckville, The Laurels has locations in Old Forge, Kingston and Wyoming.
Sarah McKenna, Laurels regional business office manager, left, and Tracy Mattola, Laurels ativities assistant, prepare cotton candy for fair patrons.
Peckville Community Fair Saturday will benefit Friends of Forgotten
Scrantonedition.com
MARY ONDRAKO
July 19
A unique benefit project is motoring in to Lackawanna County this weekend.
The Laurels Health and Rehab at Mid Valley and the Laurels Assisted Living will host a Community Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the rehab center, 81 Sturges Road, Peckville.
The event will feature a parade of motorcycles by the Friends of the Forgotten, a non-profit organization dedicated to the return of POW MIAs and which assists military veterans and their families, to which all the event proceeds are being donated.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a motorcycle judging contest at 2 p.m. There will also be Chinese auctions and a variety of food for the public to enjoy. For the children, there will be clowns, face painting, a bounce house, games and a dunk tank. Musical entertainment will be provided by Frank Gervasi and a DJ by Frankie Carll Productions.
This is the second year for the Community Fair, said Ann Barbara, event coordinator and director of activities at The Laurels.
“Because it was such a success, The Laurels decided to make it an annual event. Each year all of the proceeds (will be) donated to a different organization,” she said.
Friends of the Forgotten assists with medical bills, durable goods used during hospital stays, food supply and other needs of veterans. Barbara noted a granddaughter of one of the residents is the organization’s event planner, so this was a way for The Laurels to help their mission.
“The Laurels staff is very excited about this event, especially since many of the staff’s family members have served in the military,” she said. “They are thrilled to be doing something to help our country’s veterans.
She said The Laurels staff members have seen firsthand acts of kindness performed by the Friends of the Forgotten.
“This particular nonprofit provides exceptional aid to veterans,” Barbara continued. “The Laurels felt that this was especially important this year as we now have troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Friends of the Forgotten really takes care of the veterans.
“Every cent that the organization receives goes directly to helping veterans, from providing food and health care to even helping repair a roof on a house,” she added.
She noted a crowd is expected and people will be coming from all over for this event.
“A group from Allentown is even coming to the event just to see the bikes,” Barbara said. “It is also a fun opportunity for everyone at the event to see different motorcycles and it’s fun for all ages.
”For more information on The Laurels, visit www.thelaurelspa.com. For information on Friends of the Forgotten, visit www.friendsoftheforgotten.org.
