In Brief

LUZERNE COUNTY

Tax help is offered

The Luzerne Wyoming County Free File Tax Coalition is offering free tax help to low- and middle-income individuals for the upcoming tax season through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

People who make $51,000 or less annually are eligible for assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as earned income tax credit, child tax credit and credit for the elderly or the disabled.

Taxes will be prepared at the following locations by appointment only:

The Wilkes-Barre Mega Center, 206 Carey St., Wilkes-Barre
The Association for the Blind, 1825 Wyoming Ave., Exeter
Luzerne County Community College, Conference Center Room 114, 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke
Commission on Economic Opportunity Hazleton, 100 W. Broad St., Hazleton
Nanticoke Municipal Building, 15 E. Ridge St., Nanticoke
Family Resource Center, 41 Philadelphia Ave., Tunkhannock

To make an appointment in Luzerne County call 825-0968 or 735-2800 for Nanticoke. Wyoming County residents should call 996-2264 for the Tunkhannock location.

DANVILLE

Geisinger workers give

Employees of Geisinger Health System donated more than $400,000 to the United Way during the health system’s annual employee campaign.

Geisinger’s 2012 United Way campaign set a record for total dollar amounts raised, concluding with employee contributions of $411,319.97 to nearly 30 different United Way organizations throughout the Geisinger service area as well as several areas impacted by Superstorm Sandy. This total far exceeded the campaign’s goal of $250,000, and the previous record of $379,754.50 set last year.

“The Geisinger mission and the goal of United Way share a common purpose: to improve the quality of life for people in our local communities,” said Glenn Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Geisinger Health System. “At a time when people throughout our service area and nation face serious hardships, Geisinger employees demonstrated their compassion, generosity and commitment to improving the quality of life for those in need.”

Geisinger’s 2012 United Way campaign began Sept. 10 and concluded Nov. 30.

YORK

Bon-Ton event helps out

The Bon-Ton Stores Community Days fundraising event will run Friday and Saturday to benefit local charitable organizations.

Stores are located at the Mall at Steamtown, the Midway Shopping Center and the Wyoming Valley Mall. Representatives of the local organizations will be selling coupon booklets for $5 at the store entrances. The more than 40 participating organizations will receive 100 percent of the booklet sales. Among them are Cub Scout Pack 106 of Mountain Top, Holy Rosary School of Duryea, the Catherine McCauley House and Candy’s Place. The booklet pays back the donor with a $10 off on $10 or more coupon and contains more than $400 in savings on in-store and online merchandise. Included in the savings is a 25 percent shopping pass to Bon-Ton stores.

SCRANTON

Mass with honor Benedict

In gratitude for Pope Benedict XVI’s years of service, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate the 12:10 p.m. Mass today at St. Peter’s Cathedral.

The liturgy will give thanksgiving for the pope’s ministry and for his well being in retirement. All are welcome to attend. Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass live and air rebroadcasts at 3:30 and 7 p.m.