FOX 29 News Meteorologist Kathy Orr Returns as Emcee for Event to be Held Sat., February 10
Mt. Laurel, NJ – Samaritan will hold its annual Celebration of Life Gala, presented by Holman Enterprises, on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cherry Hill, NJ. The annual fundraising event will feature delicious food, live music by Masquerade, dancing and more and celebrates Samaritan’s 43 years of providing an expanding range of life-enhancing care to more than 11,000 families annually throughout Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties.
Each year, Samaritan honors individuals and organizations at the Celebration of Life Gala who are dedicated in their service to the organization, as well as the greater South Jersey community.
Samaritan is proud to announce its 2024 honorees:
Jack and Barbara Tarditi of Haddonfield, NJ have selflessly served their community for decades. Senior Partner at Conner Strong & Buckelew, Jack previously served as Mayor and Director of Public Safety for the Borough of Haddonfield. A true community leader, Jack’s many roles include service on the Cooper Foundation Board, Trustee of the Salvation Army – Camden Kroc Community Center, Board Chair of Symphony in C, and founding member and Chair of Camden Schools Foundation, while also serving on the Haddonfield Educational Trust. A founding trustee of the Community Foundation of South Jersey, he is now an Emeritus Trustee.
Kyle Ruffin of Hainesport, NJ is a former trustee of the Community Foundation of South Jersey, the author of “In Stroke’s Shadow: My Caregiver Story,” and President and founding member of Impact100 South Jersey. Kyle is an impassioned advocate for the difference philanthropy makes in a community – in addition to her commitment to Samaritan’s mission, Kyle’s community service has included support for the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ, Settlement Music School, and Virtua Health. She currently serves on Samaritan’s Board Inclusion and Diversity Committee.
Marcum, LLP of Mount Laurel, NJ demonstrates their commitment to South Jersey through support of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Virtua Health Foundation, the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation, the Jewish Community Center, and many other charities. At Samaritan, Marcum has been a longtime sponsor of both the Celebration of Life Gala and the Drive Fore! A Good Cause golf tournament. Additionally, Marcum’s Co-Managing Partner, Lee Sheilds, currently serves on the Investment & Finance Committee of Samaritan’s volunteer Board of Trustees.
“Each year, our Celebration of Life Gala allows us to honor our mission to serve, while recognizing the generous people who make our organization uniquely Samaritan,” said Phillip W. Heath, president and CEO of Samaritan. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jack and Barbara, Kyle and the entire Marcum team for their continued generosity, dedication to our mission and hard work to support our patients and their families and loved ones. All of our honorees embody The Samaritan Difference – supporting one another, finding creative ways to give and grow, and, most importantly, providing compassion and care to all people in need throughout South Jersey and beyond.”
Samaritan is also proud to announce that Meteorologist Kathy Orr of FOX 29 News in Philadelphia will return to serve as emcee of the 2024 Celebration of Life Gala, presented by Holman Enterprises. Since her arrival in 1998 as the first female meteorologist in the Philadelphia television market, Orr’s forecasting and reporting has earned eight Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards for “Best Weathercaster.” In 2003, she was recognized by the New Jersey Governor’s Office for her “Orr at the Shore” series of summer reports that highlighted environmental awareness along the Jersey Shore. Orr also earned top honors from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association and in 2008, was named “Best Weathercaster” in Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” issue. In 2013, she was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s “Hall of Fame.”
“We are thrilled that Kathy has chosen to support Samaritan once more as the Master of Ceremonies for our 2024 Celebration of Life Gala,” added Heath. “Her continued generosity, dedicated service to the greater community and love for South Jersey and its residents makes her the perfect choice to lead our Gala guests through this special event experience. We are honored she has chosen to return this year and thank her for her continued support.”
To enhance the event experience and further support fundraising efforts, this year’s Gala will also feature the following:
Tickets for the Delightful Dining raffle and access to the Online Auction are available at www.SamaritanNJ.org/Gala.
Individual tickets for this year’s Gala are $275 each. All proceeds from the evening, including the Delightful Dining raffle and online auction, will support direct care for Samaritan patients and their families throughout South Jersey.
For additional Celebration of Life Gala details, tickets or sponsorship information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org/Gala or contact Katelin Spooner at (856) 552-3239 or [email protected].
About Samaritan:
Samaritan is a not-for-profit, independent organization locally founded in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country. Samaritan is now one of the State’s leading providers of hospice care, palliative (comfort) medicine, at-home primary care, grief support and counseling, advanced illness care, education and advocacy. Samaritan serves people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with the stresses of aging, serious illness or grief wherever they call home. Samaritan also has two dedicated inpatient hospice centers in Voorhees and Mount Holly. Beyond the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, Samaritan annually provides nearly $1M in donor-funded non-reimbursed care for patients and families in the South Jersey region. A thrift shop in Westmont also supports Samaritan services and programs. Samaritan is accredited by The Joint Commission; a member of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation; and is a four-star hospice in the national We Honor Veterans program. For more information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org.