SCRANTON — About 20 volunteers from the UNICO National Scranton Chapter gathered on a cool, blustery Saturday morning to help brighten and beautify the city’s downtown.
As the temperature hovered in the mid 40s, with a brisk wind blowing, the group joined Scranton Tomorrow officials to weed and repopulate planters along Penn, Wyoming, North Washington, and Adams avenues with spring flowers.
The project — made possible through a partnership between Scranton Tomorrow and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful — continues Sunday when University of Scranton students clean up and plant flowers at the Christopher A. Doherty Park on the corner of Linden Street and Wyoming Avenue, said Steve Ward, Safe, Clean, and Green Project Manager for Scranton Tomorrow.
Jon Geraci of West Scranton, a member of the UNICO National Scranton Chapter, plants flowers on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton on Saturday, April 11, 2026 as part of a beautification event organized by Scranton Tomorrow. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
UNICO National Scranton Chapter members Diana Giovannini of Pittston and Deborah Solomon of Mayfield, along with Jennifer Boardman, a master garden for Penn State Extension in Lackawanna County, plant flowers on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as part of a beautification program organized by Scranton Tomorrow. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
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Jon Geraci of West Scranton, a member of the UNICO National Scranton Chapter, plants flowers on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton on Saturday, April 11, 2026 as part of a beautification event organized by Scranton Tomorrow. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
The UNICO volunteers planted dianthus — which Ward described a very hearty annual flower that can withstand a frost or freeze.
Peter Cognetti, past president of the UNICO National Scranton Chapter, noted the Italian-American organization and Scranton Tomorrow share many of the same values.
“We have a service day that we’ve been doing for decades and the last few years we’ve been coordinating with Scranton Tomorrow, in terms of beautifying downtown Scranton,” Cognetti said. “We think it’s symbolic of our commitment to the community as well as Scranton Tomorrow’s commitment to the community.”
Ward stressed Scranton Tomorrow — a nonprofit community and economic development organization — wouldn’t be able to fulfill its goal of improving the city without the help of many volunteers.
“We have about 150 planters downtown, and we do about 30,000 flowers every year, so it’s a monumental task,” he said. “It’s very encouraging to see people take ownership of the community, and really invest their time and their efforts in it.”
Along with UNICO, the University of Scranton is among Scranton Tomorrow’s most valued partners, Ward said.
“They’re a downtown stakeholder and it’s nice to see every level — from the students all the way up to the faculty and administration — be involved in our program,” he said.
In another initiative to benefit the city, Scranton Tomorrow contracted with Block by Block this past September — for one year — to spruce up the downtown on a daily basis, including removing litter, weeds and graffiti, clearing snow and ice from curb ramps at corners, and generally serving as goodwill ambassadors to visitors and residents.
“First thing in the morning, they do a street sweep and pick up as much litter as they can,” Ward said. “They also note things like graffiti or stickers on poles, as well as any kind of blight issues.”
UNICO National Scranton Chapter member Deborah Solomon of Mayfield took part in the planting event for the first time this year and enjoys helping other members carry out UNICO’s mission.
“It really is a good organization that helps a lot of people out,” she said. “I’m glad I’m a part of it.”
Another UNICO member Jon Geraci of West Scranton lent a helping hand for a second consecutive year and praised Scranton Tomorrow officials for their ongoing work in the city.
“I think they’re doing a great job beautifying the city and giving the city more appeal,” he said.