Thank You for Supporting the 2025 Burlington County Distinguished Citizens Award Reception
Thank you for being part of a special evening recognizing leadership, resilience, and service at the 2025 Burlington County Distinguished Citizens Award Reception.
We were proud to honor Bob Gray and Samantha—two outstanding individuals whose commitment to their communities reflects the true spirit of Scouting. Their example encourages young people to lead with integrity, face challenges with courage, and give back with purpose.
The Distinguished Citizens Award celebrates role models who inspire youth across southern New Jersey to grow into thoughtful and engaged leaders.
Your support directly benefits the Garden State Council’s Scouting programs, serving more than 4,500 youth each year—including many in Burlington County. Thanks to you, young people gain access to leadership training, outdoor adventures, and mentorship that shape strong values and lifelong skills.
Thank you for helping build a stronger future—one Scout at a time.
If you were unable to attend but would like to support the council, your contribution is always appreciated and can be made here.
If you were unable to attend but would like to support the council, your contribution is always appreciated and can be made here.
View the 2025 Burlington County Distinguished Citizens Award Reception Photo Gallery
2025 Event Program Book
Thank you to this year’s generous Sponsors!
PREMIER SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSORS
ASL Transportation Group
Bowman & Company, LLP
Padden Cooper, LLC
PCH Technologies
Roosevelt Paper Company
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.
