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For this grad, Misericordia is a family thing

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Misericordia University presents six students with Service Award

<p>Happy birthday to a good friend.</p><p>No, this isn&#8217;t happy birthday to my pal Kim Woodrosky, who you read about often. Or Nick Malacari &#8211; my longtime friend since high school. Or Shayne McGrady &#8211; one of my best friends whose wedding is fast approaching.</p><p>This is a happy birthday to the Luzerne Foundation.</p><p>It&#8217;s 25th anniversary &#8211; or birthday party &#8211; was held Thursday night at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre, and it was truly something to behold.</p><p>When I say I cried a little during state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski&#8217;s speech, I mean it. I think we all cried.</p><p>In addition to my parents, I sat with my work colleagues, including Times Leader Publisher and CEO Mike Murray, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kerry Miscavage and Advertising Manager Diane McGee. We were all choked up.</p><p>Pashinski spoke about the good work of a group he&#8217;s intimately involved in: the Advocacy Fund for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. It received the coveted $25,000 grant, as reported by my colleague Patrick Kernan in Friday&#8217;s edition.</p><p>As Pashinski got teary-eyed talking about the organization he loves, the crowd did too.</p><p>Kudos to my lifelong friend Catherine Shafer for planning such an extravaganza that honored not just this organization, but 25 others. I grew up across the street from Catherine and her family, and knew of her creativity and work ethic back then, so to see it in action and on display was no surprise to me.</p><p>Dave Hourigan did a great job speaking about all the honorees, and Charles Barber, president and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, did equally as good a job thanking the crowd for their support. The two were a great duo, and I enjoyed hearing what each had to say.</p><p>Besides all the charities receiving funding, another monumental moment was when they announced the Luzerne Foundation&#8217;s new home will now be called The Bevevino Family Center for Charitable Giving. Frank Bevevino, founding father of the Luzerne Foundation, gave a short remark saying &#8220;Thank you for coming.&#8221; He is gracious and kind, not feeling the need to draw out the evening with a long speech. His work and support of area charities is well-known.</p><p>Another big night in town was on Tuesday where the Sunday Dispatch &#8211; a Times Leader Media Group newspaper &#8211; hosted its annual Person of the Year event at the Grammercy Ballroom &amp; Restaurant.</p><p>Tony Marranca, who organized a fundraiser in just five weeks for West Pittston&#8217;s Salvation Army helping kids in need, was named 2018 Person of the Year.</p><p>Dr. Eugene DeMinico received the 2018 Atty. Joseph F. Saporito, Sr. Lifetime of Service Award as well. He&#8217;s done amazing things for Pittston and Pittston Townships K-9 units, raising funds through the annual Eugene R. DeMinico II Memorial Basketball Game.</p><p>Both were humbled and appreciative.</p><p>I was grateful to be at the door greeting guests, including the Honorable Judge Thomas Burke and other dignitaries and friends.</p><p>It was a heartfelt night, with both men giving speeches that moved the audience.</p><p>For me, it reminded me of the importance of this Sunday Dispatch annual event.</p><p>It also reminded me why I&#8217;m proud to work for a company that supports such causes &#8211; and the good people that are a part of them.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Mike McGinley</p><p>Around Town</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around Town: A happy 25th birthday to the Luzerne Foundation