Shenandoah, Delano, Mrs. T’s welcome Go Joe 24
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Joe Snedeker crosses into Shenandoah borough.
SHENANDOAH – WNEP-TV 16 Morning Meteorologist Joe Snedeker brought his annual charity bike ride to northern Schuylkill Monday and received a warm welcome in towns small and large.
Go Joe 24 kicked off today at WNEP’s studios in Moosic, Lackawanna County.
“Every year, Saint Joe’s Center, who helps mentally and physically handicapped individuals, has a telethon in conjunction with WNEP, and they also have a festival, Snedeker said. “For the last 24 years, I do a week-long bike ride before the festival and telethon and then I arrive at the festival and telethon.”
“So, it’s a weeklong effort that raises extra money for the festival and telethon,” Snedeker added. “Usually, $200,000, $300,000 comes in, in part from sponsors like Mrs. T’s Pierogies, but in greater part, individuals who just send in fives and tens.”
“It’s a big fundraiser, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” he added.
Snedeker’s ride today entered our area in Hazleton, where he took a break for about an hour before getting back on Route 309 towards McAdoo.
From McAdoo, he came through Lofty and Delano, where he was welcomed by a crowd of residents near the Delano firehouse. Some residents, including one on behalf of the Delano Fire Company, donated to the cause.
He continued on to Mahanoy City, where he connected with Route 54, which took him into Shenandoah borough.
A contingent of Ateeco, Inc. — makers of Mrs. T’s Pierogies — employees were waiting to welcome him to town at East Centre and Carbon Streets.
Also waiting to welcome Joe was Pierogy Man, Mrs. T’s mascot. Snedeker, being his goofy self, began questioning whether Pierogy Man was a real pierogy.
The real Shenandoah welcome wagon was downtown, at the Twardzik homestead on North Main Street.
Ateeco, Inc. employees, owner Tom Twardzik, brother Ted, and Mrs. T herself, Jean Twardzik, were waiting for Joe there along with borough officials and some members of the Shenandoah Fire Department.
Borough residents also came by to welcome Joe to town.
“I love Shenandoah, I love Schuylkill County,” Snedeker said shortly after his arrival.
“It’s a great thing [for the town,]” Tony Sajone, borough manager, said.
“It’s a wonderful thing. People are making donations, people are buying T-shirts, kids are giving their allowance,” Tom Twardzik said.
“It brings the community together,” Sajone said.
Signs adorned the porch of the Twardzik homestead, cheering Joe on and saying he’s “fueled by pierogies.”
Tom Twardzik said his company has sponsored Go Joe for most of its run, and, considering Go Joe 24’s porch tour theme, suggested he stop by his mother’s porch on Main Street.
“It’s a privilege and an honor for Joe to come to Shenandoah and hang out with us, Twardzik said.
Snedeker’s ride continues tomorrow, covering the rest of the Sentinel’s coverage area beginning in Frackville and travelling via 924 to Gilberton, and then through Girardville, Ashland, Locustdale, Merriam, Mount Carmel, Atlas, Kulpmont, and Shamokin on his way to Hughesville.
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