In Times of Need, Northeast Pennsylvania comes to the aid of its own. In our regular column, we provide a platform for area residents facing a variety of obstacles to create awareness and connect them with much-needed help.
Who: Herrick Center resident Jean Marie Ogden Jones enjoys the simple things in life, such as reading, knitting and attending services at St. James Church in Pleasant Mount. The 76-year-old retiree recently was diagnosed with Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, and while she has plenty of family in her corner — including her six children, 18 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren — Jones also needs the community’s support as she fights cancer.
What: Donations can be made at GoFundMe.com or sent payable to Jean Jones at 14 Shady Lane, Jefferson Twp., PA 18436. Supporters also have organized the bowling benefit Strike Out Cancer, which costs $20 for adults and $12 for kids 10 and younger. Tickets include two hours of unlimited bowling, pizza and refreshments, and there also will be basket and 50/50 raffles on hand. To donate a basket, email kaijones763@gmail.com. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
When: Sunday, Nov. 24; pre-registration starts at 10:30 a.m.; bowling begins at 11.
Where: Idle Hours North, 2008 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Dickson City
Why: Proceeds will help with medical costs Jones incurs during treatment, which includes surgery to remove her bladder and a long-term hospital stay followed by several weeks of outpatient rehabilitation.
In her own words: “It would mean a whole lot to me for people to come out and support me in my time of need.” — Jean Marie Ogden Jones
Submitted Photo The Harding family
Update: A spaghetti dinner held Sunday for the benefit of the Harding family of Exeter — which must remain under ongoing monitoring at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for their unborn daughter’s diagnosis of a rare form of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia — was a big success. Yet the family still needs support as it faces an uncertain future. Donations payable to Laura or Nick Harding may be sent to 405 Union St., Exeter, PA 18643.
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
