Ryan Robeson ’09
Class of 2009
About Me
“Two of the greatest mantras I learned at Prep were Men and Women for Others and Go Forth and Set the World on Fire,” explains Ryan Robeson, class of 2009. “When you really take these to heart, they are a calling to go out and give yourself in service to other people and to attempt to change the world for the better.”
Ryan has made it his mission to live these mantras every day. He and his family will help thousands this year through Scranton’s Family to Family program as they deliver full Thanksgiving meals to over 3000 families in the area. “The things I learned at Prep stuck with me throughout my life and have encouraged me to stay involved in any way I can.”
“I remember going in freshman year as an immature, confused teenager and leaving a more mature, young adult with a sense of purpose. For that I am forever grateful. It’s hard to see how you are changing and maturing when you are a student there, but, looking back on it, you can really gain an appreciation for everything the faculty and staff do for you not only as a student but also as a human.”
After earning an electrical engineering degree from the University of Scranton, Ryan found his calling as a firefighter. “My dad was a firefighter so I explored the idea of it and it just so happened they were hiring at that time. So I took a leap of faith and it was the best decision I ever made.” Ryan joined the ranks of the department his father once captained before losing his life in the line of duty while Ryan was still in high school.
“After everything Prep has done for me, it’s nice to be able to stay close to the people who helped me. All the lessons I learned there helped shape who I am today. I still stay in touch with a few of the teachers. In fact, I just had dinner with Mr. Gorman this past week and he is coming to help with our Family to Family program this Wednesday.”
The mottos he once heard daily, Ryan has embraced as his own now through service on every level with his mother, wife and newborn in tow. “We are so fortunate to have the blessings we do that it’s important to share them with those who are not lucky enough to be afforded them. With our Family to Family Program, we often times hear stories of normal people who just had unfortunate life circumstances that ended up crippling them financially, emotionally, or spiritually whether that be through losing a job, losing their health, or losing a loved one. Most of the people we serve, we can see ourselves in. They, at one time, were living a normal, happy life, before tragedy struck. That scares me, personally. I can only hope that if I were ever in their situation someone who was fortunate was willing to reach out their hand and pick me up when I need it most. I use that as motivation to be generous and try to serve our brothers and sisters who need it.”
A word from Ryan about Family to Family
Family to Family has been serving our community for over 32 years. Each year, we give out full Thanksgiving meals to over 15000 people/3000 families in our area through our food basket program. This affords them the opportunity to have a Thanksgiving meal in their own home. We also help fund Friends of the Poor’s Christmas and Easter giveaways as well.
Our program is funded 100% on the generosity of everyone in our community. Every year we are humbled by the outpouring of support and really could not run our program without it.
Donations can be made on the website at https://familytofamilypa.org/
