SCRANTON, Pa. — It's the Summer of the Inflatable! Morning Meteorologist Joe Snedeker will be riding his bike in July for Go Joe 27 to raise money for St. Joseph's Center, but this week, a big fundraiser is happening in Scranton.
At Cooper's Seafood House in Scranton, the Cooper family wants to take you on a nostalgic culinary journey this week, bringing back retro prices and original menu items, all for the restaurant's 76th anniversary. But the celebration doubles as a fundraiser for St. Joseph's Center.
"St. Joseph's Center is deeply connected to this community, and so is the Cooper family. Great family values, the sense of responsibility to support other people. It's just a great match between Cooper's and St. Joseph's Center," said Sister Maryalice Jacquinot.
The anniversary celebrations started on Monday and will go on all week long. The Coopers came up with the idea six years ago for the 70th anniversary.
"To honor my father, who would be 107 years old today. His birthday, we decided to do something to benefit the community. We met Sister Maryalice, and we decided to take a tour of St. Joseph's, and after that, we were all in for the benefit," said Jack Cooper.
6 years later, the Cooper family says it is getting bigger each year, so they keep bringing the celebration and fundraiser back.
"People from all over, not just Scranton, but the whole area, Pennsylvania, out of state. People absolutely love the retro prices; how couldn't you?" Cooper said.
The retro prices will look a lot like what prices did in 1948, when Cooper's first opened, matching the theme for the 76th year. 76-cent pints, 76-cent oysters, $1.76 clam chowder, and so much more. There are also raffle baskets and the grand prize raffle drawing - an all-inclusive trip to Mexico compliments TravelWorld. Last year, The Cooper family raised more than $50,000 for St. Joe's and Go Joe. Joe Snedeker will be riding his bike again this July for Go Joe 27 to raise money for kids and adults with disabilities.
"It's an adventure for sure. It's the most interesting week of my life to be on the road with Joe Snedeker and really just to get a sense of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. I could never have enough words to say how grateful we are for the love and devotion that people have for our mission," Sister MaryAlice said.
Cooper's Seafood House is open every day from noon until around 9 p.m. The anniversary celebrations go on until Friday.