by Jackie Galvin, director of development and communications
| August 12, 2016
It was games, games, and more games being played in two Lackawanna County locations on August 9 all in an effort to help our Residents. Starting with an afternoon of card games and conversation and ending with an evening baseball game, our Residents can put two Xs in the win column for the fundraising efforts of these two events.
First up for the Little Sisters, an organization called Cards for Charity hosted a benefit at the Elmhurst Country Club. The event, which started at noon, included a lovely lunch followed by an afternoon of bridge, mahjong, pinochle, dominos, and enjoyable talk amongst friends. With over 100 guests in attendance, Cards for Charity sure dealt a “full house” for us.
Later that day, our Residents and staff made their annual trip to PNC Field to celebrate Little Sisters of the Poor Night where our hometown Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders were facing off against their division rivals, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Starting out the evening, our very own Sister Laurelliya returned to the pitcher’s mound this year to once again throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the game. And just as she did last year, Sister did not disappoint the cheering crowd as she sailed that baseball right into the catcher’s mitt. After the pitch, Sister Kathleen provided an on-field interview broadcast on the stadium’s jumbotron where she lovingly talked about the Little Sisters’ mission of caring for the elderly poor.
While the Sisters time on the field was brief, their message resonated throughout the night evidenced by the many fans who stopped by our display table on the stadium’s concourse. Greeted by Sister Marie Therese and Sister Alice, visitors had a variety of religious items to choose from. Whether they selected a rosary, prayer card, St. Jeanne Jugan keychain, or all three, they left with a gift given from the heart as well as the assurance of the Sisters’ prayers.
Just a short distance down the concourse in section 28, our Residents, Sisters, staff, and friends had a “ball” enjoying the game and many tasty treats. Whether they snacked on hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, or lemonade, everyone in our entire group certainly satisfied their sweet tooth and the evening was made even sweeter when the RailRiders won the game in the bottom of the ninth on Ben Gamel’s sacrifice fly to score Cesar Puello. Frying the IronPigs’ bacon sure was a great way to cap off a great night!
Until Next Time,
Jackie
