Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Weatherman storms M.C.
|
| Mike Staugaitis/Staff PhotoWNEP-TV’s Joe Snedeker, morning meteorologist for Newswatch 16, poses Tuesday for a photograph at Mount Carmel’s Town Park. Snedeker rode through the coal region as part of his “Go Joe XI — The Next Decade Bike Ride.” |
| Share This Story: |
  
|
Thousands raised in support of 'Go-Joe' charity bike rideMOUNT CARMEL — Two-year-old Piper Frasch worked with her “Nana and Papa,” of Mount Carmel, to make a poster to welcome WNEP-TV Newswatch 16’s Morning Meteorologist Joe Snedeker to the Town Park Tuesday afternoon.
She carefully placed stickers and painted figures on the sign and held it high as he rode by, clad in a yellow shirt, for his ride entitled “Go Joe XI — The Next Decade Bike Ride,” to benefit St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton. She even donated her $5 allowance for “the sick kids,” she said smiling shyly.
Instead of chanting “Go Joe Go” with the crowd, she was chanting “Go Penn State Go,” her mother, Tammy Frasch, of Mount Carmel, said.
“That’s the other ‘go’ chant she hears,” Frasch said.
After pedaling more than 55 miles Tuesday, Snedeker arrived in Mount Carmel via the viaduct from Atlas at approximately 12:15 p.m. He was greeted by some 1,000 area residents chanting “Go Joe Go” and the Mount Carmel Area Band playing “Hail to the Big Red.”
As he approached the gazebo
in the park, the people cheered and converged upon him, handing him checks and money for the center. Many shot photos of the local celebrity and said they were shocked at the turnout of so many people.
The 80-degree temperatures did not stop many from waiting for 30 minutes or more for Snedeker, and excitement at his arrival was evident in the many adults and children gathering.
“He is a celebrity and this town don’t get no celebrities coming through,” said Leonard Smelter, 75, of 315 S. Hickory St., Mount Carmel.
“It lifts the town up,” he added while waiting in front of the Anthracite Fire Company to see Snedeker pedaling to the park.
When asked after the event what he thought of the crowd, Snedeker responded with his well-known humor, “it was better than Disneyland.”
Snedeker’s goal for this 11th benefit bike ride is $300,000. Last year the ride raised $250,000, said Don Jacobs, producer/host for WNEP.
“This is by far the most overwhelming and awesome turnout,” Jacobs said. “They really set the standard high,” he added.
Jacobs, who has attended Snedeker’s rides in the past, said the scene of so many people was “breathtaking and inspiring.”
“This is by far the best event he has driven into,” he said, noting the hot and humid weather that had many sweltering.
Jacobs said Snedeker has raised $1 million in his past 10 rides and hopes to continue to make even more money for the center.
Both Mary Ellen Desiderio, administrator for residential services, and Marie Woody, director of programs, attended the event to represent St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton. They were selling T-shirts for $7 and sold out in 15 minutes, Desiderio said. The center has been in existence for more than 100 years, Woody said, and serves mentally and physically handicapped children and adults.
Genesis Schuylkill Center, of Pottsville, had representatives in attendance to present $963.15 that was raised by residents, staff and guests.
Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones said at least $2,000 passed through his hands in donations and he expects at least another thousand was collected. Jones presented Snedeker with a key to the city during the noon broadcast. A donation bucket that was being passed around was filled to the brim by the end of the event.
“I am just really pleased with the crowd,” Jones said.
He said he wanted to thank Jack Williams and the Anthracite Fire Company, Bobby Scicchitano, Artie and Maria Catino for the soupie sandwiches provided to Snedeker and his crew, Boyer’s Market and Bernie Stellar and the Mount Carmel Area Band.
In addition to helping to organize the event, Scicchitano placed 10 cans around the borough to collect donations and said he thinks he collected at least $300 to benefit the center.
Both Jones and Williams said they wanted to thank borough workers for preparing the Town Park for the event.
Shamokin Patrolmen Jarrod Scandle and Nathan Rhodes rode their bikes along with Snedeker from Shamokin to Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Borough Chief of Police Brian Shurock said.
Snedeker still had 40 miles to pedal before his stop in Jim Thorpe later Tuesday evening, Jones said.
She carefully placed stickers and painted figures on the sign and held it high as he rode by, clad in a yellow shirt, for his ride entitled “Go Joe XI — The Next Decade Bike Ride,” to benefit St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton. She even donated her $5 allowance for “the sick kids,” she said smiling shyly.
Instead of chanting “Go Joe Go” with the crowd, she was chanting “Go Penn State Go,” her mother, Tammy Frasch, of Mount Carmel, said.
“That’s the other ‘go’ chant she hears,” Frasch said.
After pedaling more than 55 miles Tuesday, Snedeker arrived in Mount Carmel via the viaduct from Atlas at approximately 12:15 p.m. He was greeted by some 1,000 area residents chanting “Go Joe Go” and the Mount Carmel Area Band playing “Hail to the Big Red.”
As he approached the gazebo
in the park, the people cheered and converged upon him, handing him checks and money for the center. Many shot photos of the local celebrity and said they were shocked at the turnout of so many people.
The 80-degree temperatures did not stop many from waiting for 30 minutes or more for Snedeker, and excitement at his arrival was evident in the many adults and children gathering.
“He is a celebrity and this town don’t get no celebrities coming through,” said Leonard Smelter, 75, of 315 S. Hickory St., Mount Carmel.
“It lifts the town up,” he added while waiting in front of the Anthracite Fire Company to see Snedeker pedaling to the park.
When asked after the event what he thought of the crowd, Snedeker responded with his well-known humor, “it was better than Disneyland.”
Snedeker’s goal for this 11th benefit bike ride is $300,000. Last year the ride raised $250,000, said Don Jacobs, producer/host for WNEP.
“This is by far the most overwhelming and awesome turnout,” Jacobs said. “They really set the standard high,” he added.
Jacobs, who has attended Snedeker’s rides in the past, said the scene of so many people was “breathtaking and inspiring.”
“This is by far the best event he has driven into,” he said, noting the hot and humid weather that had many sweltering.
Jacobs said Snedeker has raised $1 million in his past 10 rides and hopes to continue to make even more money for the center.
Both Mary Ellen Desiderio, administrator for residential services, and Marie Woody, director of programs, attended the event to represent St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton. They were selling T-shirts for $7 and sold out in 15 minutes, Desiderio said. The center has been in existence for more than 100 years, Woody said, and serves mentally and physically handicapped children and adults.
Genesis Schuylkill Center, of Pottsville, had representatives in attendance to present $963.15 that was raised by residents, staff and guests.
Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones said at least $2,000 passed through his hands in donations and he expects at least another thousand was collected. Jones presented Snedeker with a key to the city during the noon broadcast. A donation bucket that was being passed around was filled to the brim by the end of the event.
“I am just really pleased with the crowd,” Jones said.
He said he wanted to thank Jack Williams and the Anthracite Fire Company, Bobby Scicchitano, Artie and Maria Catino for the soupie sandwiches provided to Snedeker and his crew, Boyer’s Market and Bernie Stellar and the Mount Carmel Area Band.
In addition to helping to organize the event, Scicchitano placed 10 cans around the borough to collect donations and said he thinks he collected at least $300 to benefit the center.
Both Jones and Williams said they wanted to thank borough workers for preparing the Town Park for the event.
Shamokin Patrolmen Jarrod Scandle and Nathan Rhodes rode their bikes along with Snedeker from Shamokin to Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Borough Chief of Police Brian Shurock said.
Snedeker still had 40 miles to pedal before his stop in Jim Thorpe later Tuesday evening, Jones said.
|
| |
| Shamokin not alone in financial distress | District Court |
