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: Growing up in Hanover Twp., Jeffery Politz grew into a natural outdoorsman who holds a love for fishing, hunting and spending time outside with wildlife. The 53-year-old Mountain Top resident shares laughs and good humor with those closest to him, including his wife, Maryetta, and their daughter, Kaylee, who enjoy his generous and compassionate nature. Politz, a hard-working provider and Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority employee, was sidelined by a recent stroke that was followed by a diagnosis of Wallenberg Syndrome, resulting in long-term hospitalization and many complications. The stroke damaged his ability to walk and swallow, and so Politz is out of work as he recovers from a tracheostomy and receives nutrition through a feeding tube.
What: Monetary donations payable to Jeff Politz are being accepted at KFK Operation Kindness, 37 E. Germania St., Hanover Twp., PA 18706. Supporters also can attend Pasta with a Purpose, a benefit in his honor. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger, which include a buffet-style meal with desserts, salad and beverages. The event also will feature music, basket raffles and fun for the family.
When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: Warrior Run Fire Hall, 316 Academy St.
Why: Proceeds will be used to ease the financial burden of medical expenses so Politz can focus on getting well.
In his own words: “It means the world to me to have support from my community as well as people I don’t even know. So many people have already come forward to help during this very difficult time. The love and support along with their encouragement keep me going. These past months have been the hardest, but I am determined to get back to life as I once knew it, and I am completely overwhelmed with happiness that people are wanting to help make it happen for me.” — Jeffery Politz
Update: More than 1,000 people attended Together for the Trentlys, a Saturday benefit for brothers Bill and John, who are both battling forms of cancer. Donations for the Scranton siblings still are being acceoted at GoFundMe.com or can be made payable to Together for the Trentlys and mailed to 99 Crane St., Scranton, PA 18505.
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
