The CAN DO Student Action Committee recently concluded its 19th annual Operation: CAN DO drive with the delivery of dozens of donated items to the Freeland American Legion Post 473.

Operation: CAN DO, which kicked off in early October, is a joint effort between the Freeland American Legion Post 473 and CAN DO’s Student Action Committee to create care packages for military service members hailing from the Greater Hazleton area who are stationed away from home during the upcoming holiday season. These packages primarily consist of personal care products, food, and entertainment items that are collected and donated by members of the Greater Hazleton area community.

This year’s drive was led by committee members and special event co-chairs Hayden Schwabe, a junior at MMI Preparatory School, and Trinity McCutcheon, a senior at Weatherly High School. CAN DO, as well it’s Student Action Committee, are grateful for the community’s continued support for this worthwhile initiative.

CAN DO Community Relations Committee chair and Student Action Committee co-advisor Cal Herring said, “As with the many years prior, the 2023 Operation: CAN DO drive was a great success! The cooperative effort between our Student Action Committee, CAN DO staff, the Freeland American Legion, as well as our area schools and industries ensures that those serving our country receive much needed personal items during a time that is considered joyous by so many. The generosity of our region is again shown by the amount of items collected this year and for that we are immensely appreciative.”

CAN DO’s Student Action Committee members expressed special thanks to the following businesses for their support of the drive: Freeland American Legion Riders Post 473, Fairway Motors Hazle Township, PSI Group, American Eagle Outfitters, Aspire Bakeries, EAM Mosca, Forrester Environmental, Impact Full Service, LEVIAT, Leader Services, Nestle Health Science U.S., Nucor, PFNonwovens, Polyglass, Romark Logistics, and Service Electric Cablevision, and other private donations.

In addition, the CAN DO Student Action Committee members also thanked the following schools for their contribution: Arthur Street Elementary School, Drums Elementary/Middle School, Freeland Elementary/Middle School, Hazleton Area Academy of Science, Hazleton Area High School, Hazleton Elementary/Middle School, Hazle Township Early Learning Center, Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School, Immanuel Christian’s Elementary/Middle and High Schools, Marian Catholic High School, McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary/Middle School, MMI Preparatory School, and Valley Elementary/Middle School.

The CAN DO Student Action Committee will host two additional upcoming events in Downtown Hazleton: the 3rd Annual CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting on Friday, December 1st at 4:30 PM and the 30th Annual CAN DO Community Christmas on Wednesday, December 6th at Christ Lutheran Church.

There is still time to submit names and addresses of active service members with ties to Greater Hazleton. If interested, please email Melissa Frederick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For additional information regarding CAN DO’s annual holiday events, contact CAN DO’s Marketing Communications Specialist, Miguel Polanco at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..