Scranton, PA – The second annual NEPA Invitational charity event, hosted by PGA TOUR player Brandon Matthews was held at the Country Club of Scranton on October 14 – 16, 2022 and raised $100,000. The NEPA Invitational is a pro-am golf tournament that brought together professionals, high-level amateurs, and golf aficionados alike. Proceeds from the 2022 NEPA Invitational will support Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and the William Lawler Scholarship Fund through the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Matthews was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. A Pittston Area graduate, he established the NEPA Invitational Fund with a desire to give back to the community he grew up in. He partnered with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to help allocate the funds raised to local organizations in need. “The Scranton Area Community Foundation is honored that Brandon and the NEPA Invitational have partnered with us to carry out the charitable goals of this event,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “His desire to give back is truly making a difference right here in our communities.” “Being able to give back to the community that shaped me is something that I have always dreamed of and for that dream to currently be in the process of being realized is truly amazing. The support from the Northeastern Pennsylvania community for my career and this event is incredibly humbling and I will never forget where I came from,” stated Matthews. The 2nd Annual NEPA Invitational kicked off Friday, October 14, with a ‘Dinner with the Pros’ event at the Country Club of Scranton. Dinner, live entertainment, and a live auction were included. Forty-seven teams competed in a two-day event. “We rely on community partners to help us respond to the evolving needs of families across the region, and we’re grateful to Brandon Matthews and all the leadership and supporters of the NEPA Invitational,” stated Frank Maffei, MD, Geisinger Chair of Pediatrics. “This support helps Geisinger Pediatrics and the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital to deliver family-centered pediatric care that is driven by best practice, innovation and compassion.” To date, the NEPA Invitational Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation has provided $150,000 to support a variety of charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA, Meals on Wheels of NEPA, Inc., Outreach, and United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, in addition to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the NEPA Invitational and Matthews have worked closely with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to establish to William Lawler Scholarship, awarded to a NEPA area junior golfer who is going on to play collegiate golf. For more information on the NEPA Invitational Fund or the event, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Photo credit: The Country Club of ScrantonPHOTO: PGA TOUR player Brandon Matthews presents Brittany Pagnotti of the Scranton Area Community Foundation with a $100,000 donation during the NEPA Invitational. The donation will provide support to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital through the NEPA Invitational Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation. About Brandon Matthews Brandon Matthews, professional golfer on the PGA Tour was born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania. Throughout his career, he has always held the area of Northeastern Pennsylvania close to his heart and has always had the desire to give back to the area as much as possible. The area has shaped him throughout his life and has made him who he is today, for which he is incredibly grateful. The NEPA Invitational was created as the first step in Brandon’s philanthropic efforts and goals. For more information on Brandon Matthews or to be in touch please contact Drew Carr at Fidelity Sports Group. drew@fidelitysportsgroup.com About Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital is committed to the health and well-being of children, adolescents and families. Today, Geisinger pediatrics serves 45 counties and their specialty-trained pediatric doctors and nurses provide expertise in more than 30 medical and surgical disciplines, treating common to the most complex pediatric health conditions. That commitment includes Northeast Pennsylvania where Geisinger serves approximately 60,000 young patients each year. It extends to children of all ages and includes the 2,583 babies that were delivered at Geisinger Community Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley in 2021. And for newborns that require additional care, the Level III Tambur Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is ready to serve. About the Scranton Area Community Foundation The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With nearly $95 million in assets under management and more than 275 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as a steward, grantmaker, charitable resource, and catalyst for change since 1954. The Foundation leads various initiatives including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. Additionally, the Foundation hosts and facilitates NEPA Gives and the NEPA Learning Conference. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization confirmed in compliance with National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org