Tag Archives: support

Commissioners organize holiday food drive

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In the spirit of giving and sharing with others, the Lackawanna County Commissioners are organizing a system-wide food drive in order to stock local food pantries to help residents enjoy a traditional holiday season dinner with their families.

“This is a great opportunity for the County’s staff to help others.  There is great need in our community.  Many families are going through some difficult times,” said Commissioner Jim Wansacz.  “This drive will help them in a small way to enjoy the holidays and worry a little less about the issues impacting their lives.”

“This is all about taking care of others in their time of need.  It is also important that we care for our children and not let them go hungry during the holidays,” explained Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley.  “Our employees have much to be grateful for, and we are asking them to share a little bit with others.”

“This is a difficult time of year for many as the cold and winter sets in.  This is our way of helping people get back on their feet and enjoy a holiday dinner with their families without any additional worries,” noted Commissioner Edward G. Staback.  “The drive represents a great way to share the holiday spirit with the less fortunate of our community and to grasp the true meaning of the season.”

The drive will run from now to Dec. 18 with containers being placed on the floors or vestibules of all County offices in central city, greater Scranton, Mayfield and Jessup along with the Airport, COLTS and the Visitors Bureau.  

County employees and residents are asked to bring in non-perishable canned fruits, vegetables and sauces, coffee, tea, rice, pasta, stuffing, potatoes, soup, peanut butter, condiments, cookies, crackers, or snacks to drop-off in the containers.

The bins will be checked and emptied by the County’s Buildings & Grounds Department and stored in one central location for distribution before Christmas.

Once the drive is over, the goods will be divided-up according to the food categories that were donated.  The food will then be delivered to area organizations, pantries, shelters, disaster relief agencies, emergency and food assistance spots, church groups, schools, voucher programs, soup kitchens, rescue missions, and community centers throughout the County for these operations to use or distribute to their clients.

 

Dunmorean of the Month: Billy Dolphin

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Billy Dolphin and his wife Jennifer. (Credit: The Dolphin Family)
Billy Dolphin and his daughter Mackenzie. (Credit: The Dolphin Family)

By Steve Svetovich

Jennifer Dolphin was preparing for the fight of her life when she was diagnosed with Buldchiari Disease in 2012. It is a disease that weakens the body and leads to end stage liver failure.

But Jennifer had two things going for her. She had her baby daughter Mackenzie and husband Billy.

Billy has been her anchor, and what an anchor. He has been by her side ever since the initial diagnosis.

Daughter of James and Georgette Mecca, Jennifer learned of her diagnosis at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia in 2012. She was told her liver would gradually deteriorate, and she would become weaker as the disease progressed.

“I was told it would lead to end stage liver failure,” Jennifer said. “I lived with it for a time until my liver finally failed. Finally, the doctors decided on a transplant. I was told to get the transplant or I would die.

“I waited nine months for the liver transplant. I was lucky. Most people have to wait longer, sometimes for several years. I received the liver transplant July 18, 2015, at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

“I am starting to feel stronger. Everyday is a better day. It takes nine months to a year or longer to recuperate from a liver transplant. There are setbacks, but I am improving.

Billy and Jennifer Dolphin were born and raised in Dunmore. Son of Bill and Marilyn Dolphin, Billy, 41, graduated from Dunmore High School in 1992. Jennifer, 35, graduated from Dunmore in 1998.

Billy makes a living installing ADT security systems for Defender Direct, Wilkes-Barre. The company is an authorized dealer of ADT security systems.

“He has energized me,” said Jennifer. “My husband has been by my side every single day since my diagnosis. And he has cared for our daughter, Mackenzie, who is now four.

“And he never complained once. He completely gave up on himself to focus on me and our family. He does nothing for himself. He no longer golfs or even goes to the mall for himself. He does nothing that he likes or interests him. And that is his personal choice. He only wants to care for me and our daughter.

Jennifer, Billy and Mackenzie Dolphin (Credit: The Dolphin Family)

Jennifer, Billy and Mackenzie Dolphin (Credit: The Dolphin Family)

“He is such a good man. He is a wonderful father and great husband.”

Jennifer, courageous as she fights her own battle, sees her husband as the hero in his role as the caregiver.

“He is my Apollo and I am Rocky. I was in the hospital a total of eight weeks in Baltimore. I was there four straight weeks and then back again twice for two weeks each time. My husband took a leave of absence and stayed in a hotel. He was at my bedside from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every single day. I would wake up and he would be right there next to me.

“Everyday he would help me get dressed, shower and prepare my food. He would walk with me in the hall for my rehab. I heard his words of encouragement every day. He is the greatest.

“There were the little things he would go get me at the store like fruit and yogurt. He would do that for me while I was in the hospital.

“He made this all about me. He was by my side with every hospital stay, every trip to the emergency room and every time I was ill. He would not have it any other way. And not one word of complaint about not having time for himself. He continues to stand by me and take care of me and our daughter as I recuperate.

“If we can make it through this, we can make it through anything.

“It means a lot to us that we come from Dunmore. I want to get better and do the things we did together like going to football games.

“But for now, I am just so thankful to my wonderful husband. He never leaves my side. He is so special, a great man.”