PITTSTON – The Greater Pittston Santa Squad (GPSS), after completing their most successful Christmas campaign, is getting ready for the summer and autumn fundraising efforts to get ready for the 2024 campaign.
Anthony Marranca, the founder and CEO of GPSS, together with the board of directors, have made plans for Christmas in July on Saturday, July 13 at Susquehanna Brewing Co. and the annual golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course.
“The Christmas in July party will have the same setup as last year,” Marranca stated. “The admission will be $30 per ticket and will include food and your first two beers. The food will be provided by 25 to 30 local restaurants who have been great supporters of our cause.”
Christmas in July will take place from noon to 4 p.m. regardless of the weather.
Along with food and drinks, there will be raffles with a Yeti cooler filled with alcohol as the main prize.
Marranca recently confirmed the entertainment for the event, expressing his delight at having the local rock legend Mere Mortals perform once again.
“I'm thrilled that the band has chosen Christmas in July to perform for us once more,” Marranca exclaimed.
Tickets for Christmas in July are expected to go on sale in April.
Marranca also mentioned that anyone interested in donating liquor for the Yeti cooler should contact him or one of the board members.
Check their Facebook page for the latest updates on the Christmas in July party.
The golf tournament will once again follow the Captain and Crew format, with a fee of $100 per person or $400 per team.
Marranca mentioned that there will be a $10,000 hole-in-one opportunity on the course, several TVs will be given away, and there will be closest to the pin and longest drive contests at the tournament.
A week-long golf trip to South Carolina and around 20 gift baskets will be raffled off.
Beer and hot dogs will be available at hole No. 9.
After the completion of the golf tournament, there will be a catered meal and at that time, raffle items will be distributed.
“Find all the information about the golf tournament on our Facebook page,” Marranca mentioned. “We will likely open registration in April and also seek sponsors for the tournament.”
For Christmas in 2023, GPSS assisted 1,532 children, including 850 from Wyoming Area and Pittston Area school districts, Children & Youth, women’s shelters in Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, Healthy Moms at Kingston, McCauley Center and others.
“We aim to maintain and even exceed last year’s numbers,” Marranca said. “The people in Greater Pittston are incredible, and it warms my heart to know that they have supported the Santa Squad all these years.”
For more information about GPSS and their events, visit: https://www.facebook.com/greaterpittstonsantasquad.
