By Mary Perrault
Jermyn Events Committee member
The Jermyn Events Committee has announced that Mary Marrara has been chosen as the Jermyn’s Volunteer of the Year. She has devoted her life to volunteerism not only in Jermyn, but with many organizations in Lackawanna County.
Mary was born and raised in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Thirty-eight years ago, Mary asked Jay Aliminti, a contractor in Old Forge, to recommend a small town where she could settle with her family, she stated, “It must have a Catholic church and a supermarket.” That’s how she settled in Jermyn.
As a first venture in the town, Mary and her husband Phil, became members of the Jermyn Lions Club. The organization needed funds, so she initiated a variety show for the town. It ran very successfully for two years, but was not held again due to lack of volunteers. Mary held the position of Event Chairperson; she organized, planned, and raised funds for the many charitable obligations of the Lions Club. She was instrumental in recruiting new and energetic members for the Jermyn Lions Club, which has the distinction of being one of the oldest Charter Lions Club in the District.
In 2005, Mary offered to assist four prominent Jermyn organizations with the express purpose that all the receipts would go directly to Jermyn Lions Club, Events Committee, Recreational Committee, and the Shade Tree Commission. This was a novel idea which stirred great interest throughout the community. Regarding the entertainers, the only prerequisite is that they come from Jermyn or have a direct affiliation to Jermyn via church, organizations, etc. Mary has served as the director and producer of the show, the “Fantabulous Variety Show,” for the last four years.
Each year a different theme is selected by the committee, for which Mary serves as chairperson. The upcoming “Fantabulous Variety Show V” theme is “A Little Bit of Country ‘n A Little Bit of Rock and Roll.” Each year the local community looks forward to seeing the show, and in recent years the audience has expanded to include residents from surrounding towns. With the show, Mary has raised in excess of $16,000. which is most gratefully appreciated and shared equally by the four organizations.
During the terrible flood in Jermyn in September, 2003, Mary swiftly got into action to help the people who were so affected by the flood. American Red Cross and Salvation Army came to the forefront to distribute essentially needed food and basic items, such as cleaning supplies,. Mary, as a Lions Club member, contacted local restaurants, food distributors, hardware chains, and local community people to supplement the food, water, and supplies needed for the people who couldn’t get into their homes. This was so appreciated by the residents. Many of them gathered at picnic tables in neighbors’ yards to partake of this generous outpouring of food by having dinner together. Several years later, a second flood in 2006, affected Jermyn residents again. These were Mary’s neighbors, and she immediately went into action with her assistance. One of these neighbors, Sheila Wilkes, stated, “Mary was there immediately to help us. We were close to the river and flooded very badly. She pitched in to get us organized. I will never forget how much she helped during this time.”
Mary organized, with Pat and Joanne Massina, a Casino Night Out, at Sacred Heart of Mary Church, which spanned 3 years as a fundraiser, and she initiated a Chinese Auction which featured beautiful baskets, depicting various themes. In addition, at church, she spearheaded a Condolence and Card Committee, which primarily sent cards and sympathy notes to bereaving relatives.
I asked Mary why she involved herself in helping people in different situations. She replied that her grandparents always instilled in her the concept to give back and to do what you can for others. “Give a smile, give a meal, give a helping hand. Always keep in mind that in order to have true friends, you must be one. Honesty and integrity and your word must be present all the time. Try to learn something new each day and always be grateful for what you have.”
Mary has been involved with the American Red Cross in Scranton, serving on the Board of Directors of Lackawanna County and on the committee for the annual Red Cross Auction. She is a member of the Scranton Philharmonic, serving on the board for the past 4 years. In 2008, she was chairperson of the B & W Masked Ball, and she also serves on the Keystone Advice Board. She has served on the UNICO Board for the past 8 years and has chaired the UNICO Ball for two years. She is involved in every aspect of the fundraising and volunteer projects. Mary is very proud of the many volunteer activities of UNICO and their far reaching accomplishments.
Her family calls her the “Christmas Lady.” She revealed that she would like Christmas all year round. She loves Christmas trees and has several featured in her home. She delights in entertaining family and friends in her home. She loves to plan and execute events. She visualizes how she wants something to look and executes it to the letter.
She has been married to Phil Marrara for 40 years, and they have a son, Philip, Jr. and his wife, Stacy. They are the co-owners of the company P & M Associates, Inc., which deals with home improvements, including cabinet refacing, full kitchens, custom closets, windows, and siding.
Mary Marrara stated, “If I were not involved in the family business, I would love to be an event planner.” The Jermyn community organizations would certainly agree that she is the consummate event planner.
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By Mary Perrault
Jermyn Events Committee member
The Jermyn Events Committee has announced that Mary Marrara has been chosen as the Jermyn’s Volunteer of the Year. She has devoted her life to volunteerism not only in Jermyn, but with many organizations in Lackawanna County.
Mary was born and raised in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Thirty-eight years ago, Mary asked Jay Aliminti, a contractor in Old Forge, to recommend a small town where she could settle with her family, she stated, “It must have a Catholic church and a supermarket.” That’s how she settled in Jermyn.
As a first venture in the town, Mary and her husband Phil, became members of the Jermyn Lions Club. The organization needed funds, so she initiated a variety show for the town. It ran very successfully for two years, but was not held again due to lack of volunteers. Mary held the position of Event Chairperson; she organized, planned, and raised funds for the many charitable obligations of the Lions Club. She was instrumental in recruiting new and energetic members for the Jermyn Lions Club, which has the distinction of being one of the oldest Charter Lions Club in the District.
In 2005, Mary offered to assist four prominent Jermyn organizations with the express purpose that all the receipts would go directly to Jermyn Lions Club, Events Committee, Recreational Committee, and the Shade Tree Commission. This was a novel idea which stirred great interest throughout the community. Regarding the entertainers, the only prerequisite is that they come from Jermyn or have a direct affiliation to Jermyn via church, organizations, etc. Mary has served as the director and producer of the show, the “Fantabulous Variety Show,” for the last four years.
Each year a different theme is selected by the committee, for which Mary serves as chairperson. The upcoming “Fantabulous Variety Show V” theme is “A Little Bit of Country ‘n A Little Bit of Rock and Roll.” Each year the local community looks forward to seeing the show, and in recent years the audience has expanded to include residents from surrounding towns. With the show, Mary has raised in excess of $16,000. which is most gratefully appreciated and shared equally by the four organizations.
During the terrible flood in Jermyn in September, 2003, Mary swiftly got into action to help the people who were so affected by the flood. American Red Cross and Salvation Army came to the forefront to distribute essentially needed food and basic items, such as cleaning supplies,. Mary, as a Lions Club member, contacted local restaurants, food distributors, hardware chains, and local community people to supplement the food, water, and supplies needed for the people who couldn’t get into their homes. This was so appreciated by the residents. Many of them gathered at picnic tables in neighbors’ yards to partake of this generous outpouring of food by having dinner together. Several years later, a second flood in 2006, affected Jermyn residents again. These were Mary’s neighbors, and she immediately went into action with her assistance. One of these neighbors, Sheila Wilkes, stated, “Mary was there immediately to help us. We were close to the river and flooded very badly. She pitched in to get us organized. I will never forget how much she helped during this time.”
Mary organized, with Pat and Joanne Massina, a Casino Night Out, at Sacred Heart of Mary Church, which spanned 3 years as a fundraiser, and she initiated a Chinese Auction which featured beautiful baskets, depicting various themes. In addition, at church, she spearheaded a Condolence and Card Committee, which primarily sent cards and sympathy notes to bereaving relatives.
I asked Mary why she involved herself in helping people in different situations. She replied that her grandparents always instilled in her the concept to give back and to do what you can for others. “Give a smile, give a meal, give a helping hand. Always keep in mind that in order to have true friends, you must be one. Honesty and integrity and your word must be present all the time. Try to learn something new each day and always be grateful for what you have.”
Mary has been involved with the American Red Cross in Scranton, serving on the Board of Directors of Lackawanna County and on the committee for the annual Red Cross Auction. She is a member of the Scranton Philharmonic, serving on the board for the past 4 years. In 2008, she was chairperson of the B & W Masked Ball, and she also serves on the Keystone Advice Board. She has served on the UNICO Board for the past 8 years and has chaired the UNICO Ball for two years. She is involved in every aspect of the fundraising and volunteer projects. Mary is very proud of the many volunteer activities of UNICO and their far reaching accomplishments.
Her family calls her the “Christmas Lady.” She revealed that she would like Christmas all year round. She loves Christmas trees and has several featured in her home. She delights in entertaining family and friends in her home. She loves to plan and execute events. She visualizes how she wants something to look and executes it to the letter.
She has been married to Phil Marrara for 40 years, and they have a son, Philip, Jr. and his wife, Stacy. They are the co-owners of the company P & M Associates, Inc., which deals with home improvements, including cabinet refacing, full kitchens, custom closets, windows, and siding.
Mary Marrara stated, “If I were not involved in the family business, I would love to be an event planner.” The Jermyn community organizations would certainly agree that she is the consummate event planner.
