danica-for-state-rep

A Quick Introduction to the Community

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:28:10 GMT

At a recent local event, Danica had the opportunity to introduce herself and share a bit about who she is with members of the community.

Moments like this matter. They are a chance to connect face-to-face, listen, and be present with the people she hopes to represent.

If you were there, thank you for the warm welcome. If not, you can watch her introduction below to get a sense of who she is and what she stands for.

Uplifting Women in Business in Monroe County

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:58:01 GMT

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the impact women have made throughout history and continue to make every day in our communities. Here in Monroe County, that impact is especially clear through the growing number of women leading businesses, supporting one another, and helping shape the future of our local economy.

Recently, organizations like the Pocono Chamber of Commerce have highlighted the importance of supporting and empowering women in business across the Pocono region. Through initiatives led by their Women in Business Council, they are creating opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional growth. These efforts help women succeed not only individually, but as part of a stronger, more connected business community.

Building Stronger Businesses and Stronger Communities

Women-owned and women-led businesses are an essential part of our local economy. They bring innovation, create jobs, and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities.

Just as important is the culture of collaboration and support that many of these leaders foster. Programs and events focused on women in business create spaces where professionals can connect, share experiences, and build confidence. Whether it is a young entrepreneur just starting out or an established leader mentoring others, these connections help strengthen the entire region.

Why This Matters for Our Region

When we talk about economic growth, workforce development, and community investment, supporting women in business is part of that conversation. Creating opportunities for leadership, education, and advancement benefits not just individuals, but families and communities as a whole.

As a candidate for state representative, I believe it is important to highlight and support initiatives like these. While many of these programs take place at the local level, state leadership still plays a role in ensuring access to resources, encouraging small business growth, and supporting workforce development efforts that include everyone.

Looking Ahead

Women’s History Month is not just about reflecting on the past. It is also about continuing to move forward. By supporting local organizations, uplifting women entrepreneurs, and encouraging the next generation of leaders, we can help ensure that Monroe County remains a place where opportunity is available to all.

The work being done right here in our community is a reminder that progress happens when people come together, support one another, and invest in a shared future.

Danica Speaks at the East Stroudsburg School Board Town Hall

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:13:00 GMT

Putting Students and the Community First

At the East Stroudsburg Area School District Feasibility Study Town Hall, Danica spoke as a community member focused on what matters most: fiscal responsibility and putting students first.

She shared the importance of thoughtful decision-making that balances responsible use of taxpayer dollars while ensuring students remain the top priority. Danica believes strong schools and smart planning are essential to building a better future and strengthening our community.

Holiday Cheer Shines Bright at the East Stroudsburg Tree Lighting

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 21:35:48 GMT

Danica Hartenfels Joins the Community for a Magical East Stroudsburg Tree Lighting

The holiday season in East Stroudsburg always brings a special kind of warmth, and this year’s Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1st was no exception. Danica Hartenfels was proud to attend the celebration, joining local families, friends, and neighbors behind the Dansbury Depot for an evening filled with joy, festive spirit, and community connection. As someone who is passionate about bringing people together, Danica loves events like this because they show the heart of East Stroudsburg and the strength of the people who call it home.

Hosted by the Eastburg Community Alliance and the Pocono Chamber of Commerce , the event highlighted everything that makes this community so unique. The stunning Christmas tree, generously donated by the Baumgartner Family , stood tall and ready for its annual moment. When the lights illuminated the tree at 7 PM, the crowd cheered and children’s faces glowed with excitement. Danica described the moment as a beautiful example of what community truly means: coming together to share joy, tradition, and hope. She extends her thanks to Dunkelberger Tree Service and the East Stroudsburg Borough for their work in decorating the tree and helping make the night shine.

Throughout the evening, Danica enjoyed meeting local families and hearing what they love most about the holiday season. Santa’s arrival on an East Stroudsburg Fire Department truck brought plenty of smiles, and Danica loved seeing children rush inside the Dansbury Depot for photos, holiday coloring books, and a chance to share their Christmas wishes.

Live music from Robin Schneider carried through the night and added the perfect festive touch. As people enjoyed hot cocoa, baked goods, and the sounds of the season, Danica reflected on how these simple moments bring people closer. She believes that strong communities grow from shared experiences like this, where neighbors connect, celebrate, and support one another.

Children took part in holiday crafts with Stroud Rec , creating ornaments and keepsakes that they proudly carried home. Danica also enjoyed watching the performances from local school students, whose talent and hard work helped make the tree lighting feel even more special.

For Danica, attending the East Stroudsburg Christmas Tree Lighting was more than just joining a beloved local tradition. It was a reminder of why she cares so deeply about serving this community. Events like this show the power of togetherness, the value of local families, and the pride that lives here year after year. Danica is committed to supporting opportunities that strengthen community ties and bring people together in meaningful ways.

As the holiday season continues, Danica is grateful for the warmth she experienced at the tree lighting and for the people who make East Stroudsburg such a wonderful place to live. She looks forward to many more moments of connection, celebration, and community spirit in the months ahead.

Danica Volunteers at Pocono Mountains United Way Day of Caring

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:32:26 GMT

Danica Volunteers at Pocono Mountains United Way Day of Caring

On September 18, 2025, Danica joined dozens of community members for the Pocono Mountains United Way’s annual Day of Caring , a county-wide volunteer event that brings together individuals and businesses to support local nonprofits through hands-on service projects. The day began with breakfast at Barley Creek Brewing Company in Tannersville , where volunteers gathered before heading out to their project sites across Monroe County .

Danica spent the day assisting with a painting project alongside a group of fellow volunteers. Together, they helped refresh a community space used by local residents and organizations. Events like these highlight the spirit of teamwork and compassion that define the Poconos, showing how small acts of service can create lasting, visible change.

Pocono Mountains United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. The organization believes that real change happens when people come together for a common purpose by forming partnerships, finding new solutions to old problems, and mobilizing resources to improve lives.

Formerly United Way of Monroe County and Pocono Alliance , the two organizations merged in 2019 to form Pocono Mountains United Way , strengthening their shared mission of helping families and individuals in need through collaboration, efficiency, and impact. Today, their staff, board, and volunteers remain committed to building a stronger, more equitable community for all, welcoming participation from people of every background.

Volunteering with United Way’s Day of Carin g offers a meaningful reminder of how community engagement can make a difference. Each project, no matter how small, helps create a brighter and more connected Monroe County .

Those interested in volunteering can visit VolunteerMonroe.org to learn about upcoming opportunities with Pocono Mountains United Way and other local nonprofits. To learn more about the organization’s mission and programs, visit PoconoMountainsUnitedWay.org .

Lighting the Way: Danica Hartenfels’ Wick It Candle Bar Featured in LA Weekly

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:31:53 GMT

Lighting the Way: Danica Hartenfels’ Wick It Candle Bar Featured in LA Weekly

Danica Hartenfels was recently featured in LA Weekly for her inspiring work as the founder of Wick It Candle Bar , a mobile candle-making business built around creativity, sustainability, and community connection. The article highlights how Danica turned a simple spark of inspiration into a thriving enterprise that brings people together while giving back to the community she calls home.

Wick It Candle Bar began as a personal outlet during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when Danica found joy in the meditative process of candle-making. What started at her kitchen table soon became a vision for something larger. After more than two decades in corporate America, including years with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts , Danica wanted to create a business rooted in meaning, collaboration, and local impact.

Within just a few months, Wick It Candle Bar was born. The business now partners with wineries, breweries, and restaurants throughout the Pocono Mountains to host interactive candle-making events. Each experience invites guests to create their own eco-friendly candles while supporting small businesses and enjoying a shared sense of creativity and community.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything Danica does. Wick It candles are made from 100 percent soy wax, use cotton wicks and phthalate-free fragrance oils, and come in reusable containers to minimize waste. The business also donates a portion of proceeds to local nonprofits and community causes.

Danica’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to service have earned her multiple awards, including the Woman in Business Award from the Pocono Chamber of Commerce and the Richard “Dick” Seip Distinguished Citizen Award for her philanthropy and leadership.

Her story in LA Weekly captures the essence of what drives her work: a belief that when creativity and community come together, they can light the way toward something brighter.

Read the full feature in LA Weekly to learn more about Danica’s journey and the sustainable spark behind Wick It Candle Bar .

Danica Co-Hosts the Healing the Sacred Thread Resilience Festival at East Stroudsburg University

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:33:50 GMT

Danica Co-Hosts the Healing the Sacred Thread Resilience Festival at East Stroudsburg University

On Saturday, October 18, Danica cohosted and spoke at the Healing the Sacred Thread Resilience Festival at East Stroudsburg University alongside Jennifer Arevalo-Rodriguez of Casa Madre Counseling. The event was a day dedicated to connection, community, and collective healing.

Held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month , the festival honored victims, celebrated survivors, and brought together advocates, artists, and community members to raise awareness and inspire lasting change.

More than just an event, Healing the Sacred Thread is a movement rooted in compassion, resilience, and the shared belief that when one of us heals, we all rise. Through art, storytelling, and education, the festival invited participants to explore the ways our communities can support survivors and prevent future violence.

Empowering Youth, Elevating Voices

At the heart of the festival are two cornerstone initiatives that invest in the next generation of changemakers:

Pass the Power
This initiative empowers youth to lead with purpose by providing mentorship, skill-building workshops, and the resources needed to organize and take action in their communities. By creating platforms for young voices to be heard, Pass the Power nurtures leadership and drives local, youth-led solutions.

Jóvenes Libres
Focused on Latinx youth impacted by the carceral system, Jóvenes Libres uses arts-based healing, storytelling, and culturally rooted support to foster resilience and belonging. These programs offer safe spaces for expression, connection, and growth, grounded in liberation, dignity, and collective joy.

Healing, Empowerment, and Community

Funds raised through the festival directly support programs that expand mental health access, provide trauma recovery services, and offer scholarships for survivors and families in crisis. The event also amplifies women-, BIPOC-, and survivor-led small businesses, reinforcing the message that economic empowerment and healing go hand in hand.

During the event, Danica spoke about the importance of connection and community, emphasizing how shared experiences can foster healing and strength. Together, participants, performers, and partners helped create a space of hope and transformation, a reminder that resilience is not built alone but through collective care.

Learn More

To explore the initiatives, partners, and stories behind this powerful movement, visit healingthesacredthread.com .

Pass the Power. Heal one, rise all.

Danica Attends the 31st Annual Pocono Prayer Breakfast

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:21:37 GMT

Danica Attends the 30th Annual Pocono Prayer Breakfast

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Danica attended the 30th Annual Pocono Prayer Breakfast at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions , joining hundreds of community members for a morning of prayer, reflection, and fellowship.

For more than three decades, the Pocono Prayer Breakfast has brought people together from across the region to unite in faith and community spirit. While the event itself is non-political, it offers an important opportunity for local leaders and residents to come together around shared values such as faith, family, service, and love of country .

As a candidate for State Representative , Danica was honored to take part in this long-standing Pocono tradition. She spent the morning connecting with community members, joining in prayer, and reflecting on how gatherings like this strengthen the bonds that hold our region together.

This year’s featured guest speaker was Mandy Harvey , a singer-songwriter and America’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer recipient. Her inspiring story of perseverance and faith deeply moved the audience, reminding everyone of the power of resilience, hope, and belief in one another.

Danica shared her appreciation for the event’s message of unity and encouragement, noting how important it is for the community to come together in gratitude and shared purpose. She left the breakfast feeling inspired by the compassion and dedication of those in attendance, and reaffirmed in her commitment to serve the people of the Poconos with integrity and care.

The Pocono Prayer Breakfast continues to be a cherished local tradition, bringing people of all backgrounds together to celebrate faith and the shared values that make the Pocono community strong.

Building Connections at the Pocono Networking Event

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:21:36 GMT

Building Connections at the Pocono Networking Event

Community and collaboration were in full swing on October 15, 2025, as Danica attended the Pocono Networking Event at Desaki Restaurant in Swiftwater . The evening brought together local professionals, business owners, and leaders for a night of conversation, creativity, and purpose.

Guests enjoyed art, food, and raffles while supporting the Women Veterans Museum , an organization dedicated to honoring and preserving the stories of women who have served our country. The event provided a welcoming space to make new connections and strengthen the bonds that help the Pocono region grow and thrive.

As a candidate for State Representative , Danica valued the opportunity to listen to residents, learn more about their experiences, and discuss ways to foster stronger local partnerships. She appreciated the thoughtful conversations and the genuine sense of community that filled the room.

The Pocono Networking Event highlighted the importance of coming together to support meaningful causes and one another. Danica was grateful to participate and looks forward to continuing to connect with the people and organizations that make the Poconos such a vibrant and caring place to live.