WILKES-BARRE — United Way of Wyoming Valley announced John McCarthy III will serve as the organization’s 2024 Annual Campaign Chair.
This year will mark the United Way’s 103rd annual campaign.
McCarthy III, a member of the fourth generation McCarthy Tire Service leadership team, serves as a regional president leading more than 1,500 teammates across eight states and over 70 service locations.
He is a business management graduate of Villanova University and, along with his wife, Rayna, recently welcomed their first child, John McCarthy IV.
John is a member of the United Way’s Board of Directors, and for the past two years, he has chaired the organization’s Young Leader’s Society.
He has also played an active role in advocating against human trafficking and recently rolled out a company-wide policy and educational materials in support of the Truckers Against Trafficking movement.
“We are thrilled to have John at the helm of our 2024 United Way campaign,” said Bill Jones, president and CEO of United Way of Wyoming Valley. “For generations, the McCarthy family’s commitment to the Wilkes-Barre community is legendary, and John’s leadership will undoubtedly help us help more children in our fight against childhood poverty.”
This year will be the 11th campaign in which the United Way of Wyoming Valley has focused on childhood poverty. Jones said the campaign plays a pivotal role in supporting local agencies, programs and other initiatives that address the most pressing issues faced by at-risk children and families in our area.
“I am honored to chair the United Way Annual Campaign this year,” McCarthy said. “As a company deeply rooted in this community, we understand the importance of investing in our children. Childhood poverty is a complex issue, and, as a new Dad, I genuinely appreciate and value all the work being done by the United Way to help at-risk kids.”
Former MLB player Jim Morris to give keynote address
The 2024 campaign is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, with a community event at the Mohegan Pennsylvania Keystone Grand Ballroom.
Jim Morris, a former Major League Baseball player whose incredible journey to the majors was featured in the Disney movie “The Rookie,” will be the keynote speaker.
For information on the event or to support the campaign, visit www.unitedwaywb.org.
Morris, 60, has one of the most unique stories in all of professional baseball. After college, injuries prevented him from pursuing his dream of becoming a major leaguer and doctors told him he would never play again.
Morris became a high school science teacher and a baseball coach in west Texas. At the age of 35, when most players are retiring, he honored a commitment he made to his high school team and “tried out” in front of major league scouts.
He was so impressive, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed him and became the oldest “rookie” in baseball.
Jim’s incredible story was so inspiring, in 2002 Disney told the story in the blockbuster movie “The Rookie,” starring Dennis Quaid. The heartwarming movie won an ESPY for Best Sports Movie of the Year in 2002 and won a CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment.
Today, Morris is a much sought-after motivational speaker and author. He is involved in a number of charitable efforts, including his own Foundation, and his works benefits under-served communities and at-risk children.
The campaign will help support 26 programs provided by 18 agencies as well as a number of other initiatives to assist children, families, and others in need throughout the Wyoming Valley.
Tickets for the event are $100. The evening will feature a fun ballpark theme complete with gourmet hot dogs, fries, pierogies, beverages, “peanuts and Cracker Jacks,” of course, and more.
Corporate/family tables of 10 are available. Reservations are due by Sept. 11.