In Times of Need, Northeast Pennsylvania comes to the aid of its own. In our regular column, Patrice Wilding provides a platform for area residents facing a variety of obstacles to create awareness and connect them with much-needed help.
Who: The Harding family has always been full of love, which only grew when parents Laura, 35, an occupational therapist at Allied Services, and Nick, 36, a courier for FedEx Ground, found out that their two-year-old son Lucas was going to become a big brother to a baby sister due in December. The Hardings are longtime community helpers and volunteers who shower others with care and kindness. Now, they’re in need of support as they worry over their baby girl, who was diagnosed in utero with a rare form of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The condition brings with it many complications, and will require one or more surgeries after birth. In the meantime, the Hardings must make numerous trips to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for care, and will need to fully relocate a month before the baby’s due date for closer monitoring.
What: Donations payable to Laura or Nick Harding may be sent to 405 Union St., Exeter, PA 18643. Supporters also have organized a benefit spaghetti dinner which will feature baked goods and basket and 50/50 raffles. Tickets are $10, available by calling or texting Richelle at 570-690-1482, emailing rsteele0306@gmail.com or messaging the Facebook event page.
When: Sunday, Nov. 17, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Dupont Volunteer Hose Company, 308 Main St.
Why: Proceeds will be used to cover travel and medical expenses, hotel stays, unpaid time off from work and other costs that arise in the months to come.
In her own words: “It’s unbelievable that so many people have volunteered their time to help. This will be a long road, and it’s such a relief that in the moment, we can focus on the health and needs of our daughter instead of worrying about the finances. We can’t thank the community, our family and friends enough as well as the countless doctors, nurses and specialists that have helped us this far. We’re lucky to have the community support. It’s appreciated more than anyone could imagine.” — Laura Harding
Update
Donations are still being collected for Vandling breast cancer patient Robin Mang Stinnard. Checks can be made payable to Robin Mang Stinnard and sent to 12 Green St., Carbondale, PA 18407 or sent to Community Bank, 67 Salem Ave., Carbondale, PA 18407 under the name “Robin Allyce Stinnard Benefit” and using the tax identifier EIN 84-3190223.
Patrice Wilding is a 13-year employee of the Lifestyles Dept. at The Times-Tribune, where she worked her way up from a clerk to a web video producer to a full-time reporter, writer and copy editor. An Olyphant native, she graduated from Mid Valley Secondary Center and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentration in media arts, political science and communications from Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. She lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Justin, and their son, Johnny. Contact: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5369; @pwildingTT
