Local ice cream store makes life sweeter for people with disabilities at Allied Services

Left to right: Ralph Morris, Dickson City; Kris Padula, Mount Cobb; Maria Dombrowski, Mount Cobb; Jim Brogna, Mountain Top.

Anyone stopping by Smokin’ Joe’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Mount Cobb on September 23^rd was in for a sweet surprise. The family run store hosted a one day fundraiser to benefit children and adults with disabilities at Allied Services. Kids activities, raffles, bounce houses and music held the crowd’s attention until the big event – the ice cream sundae eating contest. Jim Brogna, VP of Corporate Advancement Communication at Allied Services Integrated Health System was among those competing. On November 5, he will run the TCS New York City Marathon to raise funds for children and adults with disabilities served by Allied Services. Jim is running in honor of Ralph Morris from Dickson City. In 2007, Ralph suffered a brain injury in a devastating car accident. In the decade since the accident, Ralph has made huge progress in his recovery thanks to the support of his family and the therapists at Allied Services to recover from his injuries. Now 18, Ralph is a senior in high school and a candidate for eagle scout. He went head to head with Jim and the other competitors in the ice cream eating contest. The fundraiser raised a total of $2,165 which will go towards advanced rehab technology at Allied Services as part of WNEP’s Team Allied Services 8.