Employee Volunteerism

Aileen Luklanchuk, Credit Department

My experience volunteering throughout my career at FNCB has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

When I first started at FNCB, I felt honored to join a team who was willing to put their community first by offering a variety of volunteer opportunities to its employees, along with collecting donations throughout the year for different organizations.

I have never had so many opportunities, as I have had at FNCB, to actually make a difference in our community and to inspire others to share FNCB’s generosity.

Through FNCB’s Community Caring program, I have had the opportunity to come together with my co-workers as a team to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity, landscape at the Wilkes-Barre Salvation Army Homeless Shelter and the ARC of NEPA through United Way. We also supported those building the Home for Our Troops home for SSG Earl Granville, to give blood with the American Red Cross and to participate in several walks.

All of these experiences have helped me grow as a person and connect with others in a special way. When volunteering, you do not just show up to do a job. You gain the opportunity to connect with other organizations and the people they serve; you hear background stories and get to see life from the perspective of those who you are helping. You feel an incredible sense of humanity when uniting with others to make a change.

Each of us at FNCB has been touched by someone who has been faced with the challenges of life or have experienced the challenges of life ourselves and know that the world can be a cruel place at times.

When I volunteer my time to others, it makes me realize that there are still wonderful, giving people in this world and it is a beautiful thing. It gives you a greater appreciation of life and those who are in it. FNCB has given me the opportunity to go out into the community with my co-workers, as one, to help those in need and to get into the hearts of those we serve in the community.

It is an incredible feeling to give back to those who need a helping hand. I am truly blessed for each and every one of my volunteer experiences.

JoAnn Kotlowski, Hanover Township

I believe the greatest gift we can give is the gift of ourselves. Volunteering has made me a better person, knowing that I helped by providing assistance to the community to make it a better and more prosperous place.

Volunteering is very important. It not only helps out the person, animal or organization but it boosts to your self-confidence and self-esteem. Knowing that you have done something good for someone else gives you a sense of accomplishment — and a sense of pride in the job performed.

The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view on life and your future goals. Volunteering has made me more aware of the problems that people face every day and made me feel fortunate to live life the way I do.

Although volunteer work can be hard, strenuous or dirty and frustrating, it is extremely rewarding. Volunteering is one of the best ways to make a difference in your community, offering a way to have a real and lasting impact.

I enjoy giving my time to help every chance I get, from finding a new home for an unwanted animal to revitalizing a homeless shelter. It is a way to reach out and touch the lives of others in a positive way. It is motivating to know I can make a difference in another person or animal's life.

I will continue to volunteer my time and service for as long as I am able. There is no greater accomplishment than seeing a smile in the eyes of someone you have helped or the wag of a tail on a dog who just found a new home.

Karen Smith, Commercial Lending

My volunteer experience gave me the opportunity to represent FNCB in the community and work together with a team of colleagues also committed to making a difference. Without their energy and support I would not have had such a positive experience.

The fundraiser we held to benefit the newly established Ronald McDonald Family Room at Geisinger Wyoming Valley was a rewarding experience. Through our homemade chocolate sale we were able to raise enough money to purchase a commercial vacuum for the new family room. Our hard work was not only appreciated by the Ronald McDonald House family, but we were also able to fulfill a need for the organization.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to give back to an organization who so willingly serves the families of children who are hospitalized in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Through my volunteer experience, I have had the pleasure of meeting several volunteers who are committed to the success of the Ronald McDonald House. I have also had the privilege to meet the Officers, Directors and Board members who so graciously give of themselves and their time as they are dedicated to the mission of the Ronald McDonald House.

Without these individuals and their passion, the continued success of “The House that Love Built” wouldn’t be possible.

Theresa Verdon, Finance

I volunteered at an ovarian cancer fashion runway show which was organized by my mom who is an ovarian cancer survivor.

My mom teaches children and adults how to sew and wanted to raise awareness and help other cancer patients to defray the cost of their treatments. So she thought of doing a fashion show with her students modeling all the wonderful items they have made.

She had such an overwhelming response the first year, she has made it a yearly event with all proceeds donated to the Delta Medix Foundation for Cancer Care.

To see the smiles on her students’ faces and how she has enriched their lives in so many ways made me so proud of my mom.

To me, volunteering means you have the opportunity to brighten the life of someone each time you volunteer. It means that each action, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can help the health and well-being of a fellow human being.

Theresa Williams, Marshalls Creek

I first became involved with community service to teach my children the importance of helping others without gain. It turns out, I didn’t just teach them a lesson, I learned one as well!

I chose to participate with the American Cancer Society because I’ve seen too many people battle this deadly disease. I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around doing nothing while they are fighting alone.

Relay for Life is one way I help.

I fundraise and prepare all year long, but the day of the event is when I get to witness the results. On this day, the community comes together to celebrate lives, both saved and lost to cancer. Seeing the survivors walk their lap is when I realize that what we do all year long really does matter. There is not a dry eye in the stadium — no pay check can ever top this feeling; regardless how many zeros are on it.

In today’s world we live a rushed life. Relay for Life helps me appreciate what I have. My three healthy children are my reason to give back, for not everyone is as lucky as I am. There are many people fighting this disease and it’s our privilege to fight with them.

Simply knowing that I’m raising the next generation of doers urges me to continue helping. My children were eleven, nine and four when we started and now they are fourteen, twelve and seven. We are committed for life!