American Red Cross
First Federal Charitable Foundation mourns the passing of John Raynock
The First Federal Charitable Foundation mourns the death of longtime board member John J. Raynock, who passed away on May 27 at age 91. John was a valuable member of our board and we are forever grateful for his contributions to the organization. He will be deeply missed. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Eleanor; his son, John; his daughter, Maura; and his entire extended family.
Supporting worthwhile causes in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia Counties
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture non-profit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from our community, empower non-profit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to those of our community, and promote opportunities for new non-profit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved of our community.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation that are located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia Counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia Counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.
First Federal Charitable Foundation Grant Recipients
Camp Cranium received a $5,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant in 2023 it planned to use to fund a summer camp, including providing the organization the ability to offer six scholarships to the camp.
The Hazleton Integration Project (HIP) received a $50,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to make security upgrades to its building.
The United Way of Greater Hazleton received a $15,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to help launch The Nurse's Pantry program within all 10 elementary/middle schools in the Hazleton Area School District.
Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia received a $5,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use as a Wishmaker donation, which will completely underwrite the wish of a child living in Luzerne, Columbia, Schuylkill, or Carbon counties with a diagnosed life-threatening medical condition.
The Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts (PTPA) received a $5,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to pay for the licensing rights for at least two of its community theatre shows this season. The grant funding will allow the organization to use the money it receives from ticket sales for the maintenance of its building.
Central Susquehanna Sight Services (CSSS) received a $6,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to fund its Prevention of Blindness and Social Services programs in Columbia County.
New Roots Inc.'s Willow Foundation received a $40,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant to make water damage repairs to its facility at 100 South Wyoming Street in Hazleton into a day shelter for homeless individuals.
The Greater Hazleton Historical Society (GHHS) received a $12,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to repair the roof and stop water damage to the walls of the museum, particularly in the area of a vintage grandfather clock. The repairs will help maintain and preserve the museum's artifacts.
The West Berwick Elementary School Library received a First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it plans to use to purchase five bookshelves and provide space to expand the number of books the library can provide to the students.
Family Promise of Carbon County, which provides temporary services to families experiencing homeless in Carbon County, received a grant from the First Federal Charitable Foundation that it will use to help cover the costs of additional shelter expenses related to its acquisition of static shelter site in Nesquehoning.
Schuylkill Hope Center for Victims of Domestic Violence received a $20,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to support operational expenses at its emergency shelter.
The Greater Hazleton Concert Series (GHCS) received a $15,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant to support the organization’s Educational Outreach program, which provides music education and development activities to students in the Hazleton Area School District.