Join Scouting America Garden State Council on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Deerwood Country Club for the 2026 Burlington County Distinguished Citizens Award Reception, an evening celebrating exceptional leaders whose service and leadership have made a lasting impact on Burlington County and beyond.
Led by Event Chair Chip Miller and the Burlington County event committee, this annual event brings together business, civic, and community leaders for an evening of networking, a cocktail reception, dinner, and award presentations, all while supporting local Scouting programs that help prepare young people for future success.
This year, we are proud to honor Ken Dunek, Publisher of JerseyMan and PhillyMan Magazines and former NFL and USFL player, and Dr. Tiffani A. Worthy, PMP, Founder and CEO of All Things Are Possible Foundation (ATAP), in recognition of their leadership, service, and commitment to strengthening our communities.
Your support directly benefits Scouting America Garden State Council, serving more than 4,500 youth annually across southern New Jersey by providing opportunities for adventure, mentorship, personal growth, and experiences that prepare young people for life.
Be part of this special evening as we celebrate outstanding community leadership and invest in the future of Scouting throughout southern New Jersey. To register, become a sponsor, or learn more about supporting the event, please use the registration button below.
2026 HONOREES
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
EAGLE SPONSOR $7,500
♦ 16 tickets to the Reception
♦ Logo on event signage and hyperlinked on event webpage for one year
♦ Full-page color ad (prime placement) in program book
♦ Company-provided promotional items at check-in
♦ E-blast to all Council contacts featuring your company logo
♦ E-blast to all Council contacts featuring company-provided content
♦ Recognition on social media and annual report
GOLD SPONSOR $5,000
♦ 12 tickets to the Reception
♦ Logo on event signage and hyperlinked on event webpage for one year
♦ Full-page color ad in program book
♦ E-blast to all Council contacts featuring your company logo
♦ Recognition on social media and annual report
SILVER SPONSOR $3,750
♦ 8 tickets to the Reception
♦ Logo on event signage and hyperlinked on event webpage for one year
♦ Full-page color ad in program book
♦ E-blast to all event attendees featuring your company logo
♦ Recognition on social media and annual report
BRONZE SPONSOR $2,500
♦ 4 tickets to the Reception
♦ Name on event signage and listed on event webpage for one year
♦ Half-page color ad in program book
♦ E-blast to all event attendees featuring your company name
♦ Recognition on social media and annual report
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
ADVERTISING OPTIONS
Full-Page Color Ad: $1,000 (5.5” W x 8.5” H)
Half-Page Color Ad: $500 (5.5” W x 4.25” H)
Submit company logo and ads in 300 dpi PDF format to:
690specialevents@scouting.org by Friday, August 28.
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
Individual Patron Ticket: $200
Can’t attend? Your support through a donation of any amount is always appreciated.
View the 2025 Burlington County Distinguished Citizens Award Reception Photo Gallery
2025 Event Program Book
Thank you to last year’s generous Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
EAGLE SPONSOR
Gold Sponsors
BRONZE SPONSORS
Past Honorees of the Burlington County Distinguished Citizen Award
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
|
1987 |
Jirair S. Hovnanian* |
|
1988
|
J. Garfield DeMarco* |
|
1989 |
Richard A. Alaimo
|
|
1990
|
Thomas P. Foy*
|
|
1991
|
Robert C. Shinn Jr.
|
|
1992 |
James E. Palmer
|
|
1993 |
Hon. H. James Saxton
|
|
1994
|
Dr. Carmine DeSopo
|
|
1995
|
Hon. Martin L. Haines*
|
|
1996
|
Dr. Robert C. Messina Jr.
|
|
1997
|
Hon. Vincent R. Farias
|
|
1997
|
Renee L. Borstad*
|
|
1998
|
Craig W. Yates
|
|
1998
|
Hon. Diane Allen
|
|
1999
|
Dennis Flanagan
|
|
1999
|
Hon. Martha Bark*
|
|
2000
|
Glenn R. Paulsen
|
|
2001 |
Franco Harris
|
|
2002 |
Hon. Philip E. Haines, Esq.
|
|
2002
|
JoAnn Winzinger
|
|
2003
|
Irvin E. Richter
|
|
2004
|
Stephen J. Hovnanian
|
|
2004
|
Peter J. Hovnanian
|
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
|
2005
|
Richard J. Cureton
|
|
2005
|
Jerald R. Cureton, Esq.
|
|
2006
|
William S. Haines Jr.
|
|
2007
|
James K. Wujcik
|
|
2008
|
Hon. John A. Sweeney
|
|
2008
|
Mary Wells*
|
|
2009 |
Brigadier General James J. Grant
|
|
2010
|
Robert C. Halgas
|
|
2011
|
Frank Giordano
|
|
2013
|
Charles S. Miller
|
|
2014
|
Jim Brennan Jr.
|
|
2015
|
John A. Latimer
|
|
2016
|
Orsula V. Knowlton
|
|
2016
|
Calvin H. Knowlton
|
|
2018
|
Hon. Jean E. Stanfield
|
|
2018
|
Hon. Mary Ann O’Brien
|
|
2019
|
Robert C. Silcox
|
|
2019
|
Hon. Barry Parker
|
|
2022 |
Jill Peterson
|
|
2022
|
Kristi M. Howell
|
|
2023
|
Lee Bealuk
|
|
2023
|
Brad Denn
|
|
2024
|
Bill LaVan
|
|
2024
|
Craig Greenwood
|
*Deceased
Development Team Contact
If you would like more information about Garden State Council's Distinguished Citizen Awards and the many ways you can support the mission of Scouting in South Jersey, we invite you to contact us by email.
