Greater Pike to hold annual dinner on Sept. 24

The Greater Pike Community Foundation will hold its sixth annual dinner, a gathering of business, philanthropic and civic leaders in the region, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Silver Birches on Lake Wallenpaupack.

“We have had a phenomenal year of growth and development and consequently a lot to celebrate,” said Tim Smith, a member of Greater Pike’s board of directors and chair of this year’s dinner committee. “Philanthropy in Pike County and surrounding areas is receiving renewed attention thanks to Greater Pike’s work as well as the contributions of outstanding community members such as those selected to be our 2019 honorees."

Each year, Greater Pike bestows two monetary awards on the night of the dinner. The honorees are asked to each direct one of the awards to a local non-profit organization that receives a grant of $1,000 from Greater Pike.

The Barbara J. Buchanan Community Service Award is given to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism and giving back to the community. This year’s recipient is Cindy Stine, who for more than two decades has volunteered for numerous organizations.

Stine started the RYOT youth program at Survivors Resources (now Safe Haven). She is a key organizer of the Milford Enhancement Committee’s annual Welcome Party, co-founded the annual Tri-State Parkinson’s Project run that raises money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and serves as the executive director of the TriVersity LGBT Center.

“She is a force of nature in her ability to get things done, motivate volunteers and remain modestly behind the scenes at the same time," said Greater Pike board member Sean Strub.

The Richard L. Snyder Business Leadership Award recognizes a local business that has demonstrated outstanding corporate philanthropic leadership in the community. It will be awarded to the Waterwheel Café and Bakery and its owner/operators, Nancie Simonet and Darren Fouse.

“Nancie and Darren were chosen for their consistent and generous support of the community for the last 30 years,” said Jim Pedranti, Greater Pike’s board chair. "Their support and involvement comes in many forms -- through donations of food to a myriad of fundraising events, to serving on local boards, to the hiring of local high school students in their restaurant to mentor in both culinary professions and good business practices."

Simonet is a founding member of the Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County.

Tickets for the dinner are available at greaterpike.org or by calling 570-832-4686.

The Greater Pike Community Foundation was created to enable generous individuals, families and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted, long-term community philanthropy. The Foundation provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region we love and have worked so hard to nurture and maintain. Greater Pike now manages 14 funds with total assets exceeding $3 million.