Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

Officials from the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce announced that over 1,700 people volunteered during this year’s "Great Pennsylvania Cleanup” campaign, which took place throughout Greater Hazleton on Saturday, April 21st.  Chamber president Donna Palermo states, “Once again, the Greater Hazleton community came out in force to help rid the area of litter and debris, and we thank them for their volunteer efforts.  Our hope is that it provides an example for others to follow, and more importantly, to serve as a reminder to those people who abuse our environment by throwing litter on our area roadways, playgrounds and greenspaces to refrain from those unfavorable habits.”  

The Chamber has been coordinating the local campaign for thirty years, and it has become the largest single day clean up effort in the region.  More than 100 tons of trash and debris are removed from area roadsides each year.  Leann Fallabel, Vice President of Marketing for the Chamber, coordinates the Hazleton area effort with PennDOT.

Groups and individuals were provided with bags, vests, gloves and additional items.  The Chamber of Commerce also provides certificates of participation to every participant.

Local businesses have also contributed coupons and or/treats for every volunteer. Those businesses included  Bonanza Family Restaurant, Burger King at Humbolt Station and Burger King on Route 309 in Hazleton, The Hershey Company, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s, Sonic, and Wendy’s.  In addition, Black Creek Township, Butler Township, the City of Hazleton, Hazle Township, and West Hazleton Borough  provided trucks and manpower to pick up the bags that the volunteers placed by the roadside.

Thank you to the following groups who went out and helped to keep Greater Hazleton a great place to live, work & play:

Advanced Physical Therapy, Anthony Martoccio, APTS Ambulance, Barbara Kocur, Barnhorst Family, Beech Mountain Lakes, Birdland Music, Black Creek Township, Black Creek Township Alumni, Boy Scout Troop 790, Butler Township, CAN DO, Inc., Cargill, Carmella Yenkevich, City of Hazleton , Concerned Parents of the Hazleton Area, Conyngham/Sugarloaf Community Cleanup Group - Dave Smith, Country Christians Youth Group, CSIU -Migrant Education Program, DeAngelo Family, Eagle Rock Resort, East County Road Group, Eckley Social and Sports Club, Ed J. Shemansky, Tyler Farran & Jared Luchetta, Fearnots Volunteer Fire Company, Ferdinand Family & Neighbors, Freeland Area Support Team, Freeland Recreation Board, Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Gennaro Family, Gerlach and Bittenbender Families, Girl Scout Brownie Troop 4270, Girl Scout Troops 4276, 4210, 4207, Gottstein Contracting Corporation, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, HAHS Key Club, Hazle Township, Hazleton Area Street Hockey League, Hazleton Elks #200/HACC, Hazleton Housing Authority, Hazleton Lions, Hazleton Parking Authority, Highway Equipment, Hilltop Drive Tax Payers Associations, Iglesia Bethesda Casade Misericordia, Inc., Immanuel Christian School, Janice Daniszewski, Jeddo Borough Residents, Jim Walck Lawn & Shrub, Joann Belletieri, Ken Modlick, Keystone Job Corps Center, Knights of Columbus, Council 8613, Landscape Solutions and Designs, Latino's Media Enterprise, Laurels Senior Living, Lehigh Tire, Marie Welsh, McNelis Home Care, MH Group, Minsec, Moisey Family, Molinegocios USA Inc, Moose Family, Mountain Valley Family Martial Arts, Mr. Phil's Laundry Center, Nescopeck State Park, Nuremburg Community Players, Oakmont Acres Residents, Pardeesville Group, Penn State Hazleton – Dr. Carl Frankel’s Students, Pitt Ohio, Polanco General Services, Prochko Family, Remember When, Rodney Hawk, Sardo Family, Services Etcetera Professional Cleaning, Sleepy Hollow Neighborhood, Smith Family, Soroko and Ziminski Families, St. John Bosco Church-3rd Grade CCD, St. John's Lutheran Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, Stacey Heck, State Representative Tarah Toohill, Stefanick Family, Susan Notaro and Lisa Kriesl, T. Verrastro Beer Distributor, Tresckow Road Crew, Trovitch Family, UGI Utilities Inc., Veet Family, Vital House, Volunteer Center of Greater Hazleton Hazleteens/DeAngelo Brothers, Inc., West Hazleton Borough, West Hazleton Elementary/Middle School Builders Club, Young Family.