John Heinz Institute is Beneficiary of Earthly Angels Autism Fund Grant

The John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wilkes-Barre Township, was recently awarded a $4,500 grant by the Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation.   The grant supports the purchase of educational and therapeutic tools and technology for preschool-aged children who receive autism therapy at the John Heinz Institute.  Grant funds also provide for education programs for autism services provided at the John Heinz Institute. 

Founded in 2001 by Ron and Brenda D’Eliseo, the Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation serves to enhance public awareness of autism.  Included in the Fund’s fields of interest are providing funds to assist education and school based autism programs and supporting the development of treatment services for autistic children.   Also, support from the Earthly Angels provides opportunities for area non-profit organizations to help local families meet the needs of living with autism. 

Ron D’Eliseo, chairman of The Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation, presents Karen Proctor, Director of Speech Therapy, with a grant totaling $4500 to enhance the technology of the autism program at the John Heinz Institute.  

Pictured, from left to right, are Lori Cimino (Speech Pathologist, John Heinz), Michael O'Donovan (Earthly Angels), Brenda D'Eliseo (Earthly Angels), Ron D'Eliseo, Jr. (Chairman, Earthly Angels), Karen Proctor (Director of Speech Therapy, John Heinz), Holly Judge (Special Education Instructor, John Heinz), Tom Pugh (Vice President, Allied Services), and Chris Tweedy (Allied Services Foundation). Absent from the photo are the following Earthly Angels board members: Fr. Paul McDonnell, OSJ, Joseph F. Saporito Jr., Esq., Anthony Grabosky, Anthony D'Eliseo, and Salvatore Infantino, D.M.D.

The Allied Services John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine is a not-for-profit JCAHO- and CARF-accredited rehabilitation hospital offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services and specialized treatment for traumatic brain injury.

The John Heinz Institute also administers outpatient services at satellite clinics located Wilkes-Barre Township, Forty-Fort, Dallas, Nanticoke, Berwick, West Hazelton, Tunkhannock, and Pittston. For more information in the John Heinz Institute, please call Thomas Pugh, Vice President for Allied Services, at 826-3837