Jan. 15—HARVEYS LAKE — The 2024 Grotto Pizza Parade of Trees raised more than $55,000 in charitable donations for local and regional organizations.
The amount includes a $25,000 donation made by the Joseph and Erma Paglianite Charitable Foundation that will be shared by all qualifying participants.
The event features local businesses that decorate Christmas trees in support of charities.
The trees were on display inside the main dining room at Grotto Pizza Harveys Lake during the holiday season.
“The Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza Harveys Lake and the dozens of businesses who have participated over the years have now raised nearly $600,000 in the 29 years since we started this holiday tradition, all thanks to the visitors to our restaurant who have made this event an incredible success,” said Armand Mascioli, owner, Grotto Pizza Pennsylvania.
Visitors vote for their favorite trees through monetary donations. The trees that receive the most votes also split a prize pool.
All trees shared in the $25,000 donation from the Joseph and Erma Paglianite Charitable Foundation — specific amounts also determined by how much support each tree received from public votes.
This year, the first-place winner for the second year in a row was Alloy Wheels, supporting Peggy’s Pathways.
In second place, Reilly Finishing Technologies for their tree supporting The Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA.
Third place went to Sorber Well Drilling in support of Patriots Cove.
—The Alloy Wheels Tree (from Dimock, PA) in support of Peggy’s Pathways raised $7,354 in donations plus received an $800 bonus for finishing first in the contest. On top of that, they received another $3,700 from the Joseph & Erma Paglianite Charitable Foundation.
Grand Total raised for their charity: $11,854!
—The Reilly Finishing Technologies (out of Nanticoke) tree supporting The Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA raised $5,359 in donations and received a $700 bonus for finishing in second place. Their tree also received a check for $2,500 from the Joseph & Erma Paglianite Charitable Foundation.
Grand total raised for their charity: $8,559.
—The Greg Sorber Well Drilling (from Hunlock Creek) tree supporting Patriots Cove… raised $3,202 in donations during the contest and earned a $600 bonus for coming in third place. In addition, they received a check for $1,500 from the Joseph & Erma Paglianite Charitable Foundation.
Grand total raised for their charity: $5,302
There were a total of 28 participants in the 2024 Grotto Pizza Parade of Trees.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.