Lackawanna Pro Bono Honors Three Community Leaders
The nonprofit's 18th annual gala in Scranton marked 29 years of connecting low-income residents with free civil legal help.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy
Lackawanna Pro Bono held its 18th annual fundraising gala at the Scranton Cultural Center on Thursday evening, November 12, 2026. The event presented the Attorney Robert W. Munley Distinguished Service Award to Diane Baldi, Timothy Lennon Holmes and Thomas I. Vanaskie.
Why it matters
The nonprofit connects eligible low-income residents with volunteer attorneys who provide free civil legal representation, and gala proceeds help cover its staff salaries, rent and day-to-day operating costs. For Scranton and Lackawanna County residents, the organization serves as a channel to legal help in housing, family law, consumer debt and unemployment benefit matters.
Lackawanna Pro Bono has operated for 29 years and has held 18 annual fundraising galas, with more than 450 attorneys volunteering since 1997. The source does not disclose the total funds raised at this year's event or how many clients the organization served.
The players
Lackawanna Pro Bono
A nonprofit that connects eligible low-income residents of Lackawanna County with volunteer attorneys who provide free civil legal representation.
Thomas I. Vanaskie
A retired U.S. Circuit Judge who received this year's Attorney Robert W. Munley Distinguished Service Award.
The details
Diane Baldi, CEO of Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Timothy Lennon Holmes, CEO of the Everhart Museum, and retired U.S. Circuit Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie received the Attorney Robert W. Munley Distinguished Service Award, which honors community leaders. The gala's proceeds support the group's operating expenses.
Timeline
Since 1997: More than 450 attorneys began volunteering for Lackawanna Pro Bono.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: The 18th annual fundraising gala was held in Scranton.
Community Legacy
The 2026 honorees continue the tradition of the Attorney Robert W. Munley Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes community leaders at the organization's annual gala. The award ties the nonprofit's fundraising to local civic service.
Scranton and Lackawanna County residents who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for free help with housing, family law, consumer debt and unemployment benefit disputes. The gala's fundraising helps keep this volunteer legal service running.
The takeaway
Community-supported nonprofits like Lackawanna Pro Bono depend on both volunteer professionals and annual fundraising to keep free legal services available to low-income residents. Supporting such events helps cover the operating costs that volunteer work alone cannot.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how local nonprofits fund their work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WOLF.
