SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) \u2014 Saint Joseph\u2019s Center welcomed families to McDade Park on Monday for its Summer Kickoff Celebration & Family Fun Night.<\/p>\n
The celebration included free ice cream from Fidelity Bank, live entertainment from Frankie Gervasi, face painting, balloon artists, a magician and a caricature artist. Scranton and Taylor police and fire departments were also on site, along with Lackawanna County SWAT, the Sheriff\u2019s Department and Lackawanna County Emergency Management Services.<\/p>\n
Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, president and CEO of Saint Joseph\u2019s Center, said the event has been a tradition for at least seven years, giving families a way to come together ahead of the center\u2019s summer festival while supporting Saint Joseph\u2019s Center\u2019s work across the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe money raised through the auxiliary\u2019s fundraising helps support the services of Saint Joseph\u2019s Center. A lot of times, that money is used to purchase vehicles, renovate our facilities throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, and anticipate program expansion and new things we might be doing in the future,\u201d said Jacquinot.<\/p>\n
Saint Joseph\u2019s Center provides residential, community-based and home-based services for people with intellectual disabilities, along with outpatient therapy, maternity, family and adoption services. During Monday\u2019s event, the center also highlighted its Baby and Children\u2019s Pantry, which provides resources to the public.<\/p>\n