NJN Public Television & Radio – 2009 NJN Benefit Celebration
Tuesday, June 2, 2009

STATEWIDE – The NJN Foundation, the fund-raising arm for NJN Public Television and Radio, will hold its 2009 NJN Benefit Celebration on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at The Heldrich in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Considered one of the top networking events in New Jersey, the Benefit Celebration will “highlight the important service that NJN provides to our community, and provides an opportunity to honor and recognize corporate and community leaders who exemplify outstanding leadership and dedication to their communities,” said Douglas Eakeley, Esq., NJN Foundation Chair.

Immediately following the reception and awards presentation at 8:00 pm, NJN will host a Benefit Concert at the State Theatre featuring The Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue with a tribute to the great Roy Orbison. The Benefit Concert is part of the Benefit Celebration, but tickets for the concert can be purchased separately by the general public at the State Theatre box office or through the NJN Website.

The purpose of the Foundation’s 2009 NJN Benefit Celebration is to raise funds for NJN Public Television and Radio to ensure that NJN can continue to provide high quality news and public affairs programming that millions of New Jerseyans rely on each year, including NJN News, Another View, Images/Imagenes, On the Record, and Reporters Roundtable. Proceeds from the event also will support NJN’s ongoing series and documentaries about the arts, cultural diversity, health issues, the environment and other content areas; help advance NJN’s digital educational programs for children and adults on-air, online and on the ground; and strengthen NJN’s critical role as a communication resource in times of emergency.

Given the current fiscal environment, “NJN has taken great measures this year to reduce overhead costs for the Benefit Celebration,” explains Kent Manahan, Acting President of the NJN Foundation and Acting Executive Director of NJN Public Television and Radio. “Consequently, more of the generous contributions will go directly to support and make accessible NJN’s Uniquely New Jersey award-winning programs.”

For example, to reduce expenses, NJN will offer environmentally-friendly, on-screen “Green” Ads and Celebratory Messages to replace the customary printed journal. These will be displayed prominently on monitors throughout the reception as well as in the lobby of the State Theatre.

The 2009 NJN Benefit Celebration will honor four distinguished New Jersey leaders - Bruce E. Mosler, President and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield, with the NJN Corporate Excellence Award; Carlos Dominguez, Senior Vice President of Cisco Systems, with the NJN Community Leadership Award; Elizabeth G. Christopherson, President and CEO of the Rita Allen Foundation, with the NJN Distinguished Service Award; and Dr. Clement A. Price, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of History at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with the Governor Thomas H. Kean and Governor Brendan T. Byrne Civic Leadership Award. 

New Jersey’s business community is rallying around the benefit, and NJN will salute all of its generous contributors, including members of its Circle of Visionaries - - The Chubb Corporation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Lowenstein Sandler PC, M. Brian Maher, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Prudential Financial, and PSE&G - - for their outstanding support of this year’s Benefit Celebration.

For the third consecutive year, Novartis Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring the Community Outreach program for the 2009 NJN Benefit Celebration. The company’s generous support will make it possible for more than 150 individuals, who work at New Jersey’s Blood Banks and provide an important service to the state, to enjoy the Benefit Concert at the State Theatre. NJN shares Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to provide programs and services that improve the quality of life for the people of New Jersey. Tricia R. Russo, Esq., Associate Director, State Government Affairs, for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, is spearheading this Community Outreach effort.

There are many volunteers who give their time and efforts to help make the event a special night. Serving as Honorary Benefit Chair is Ralph Izzo, President and CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group.  Benefit Chairs are Kenneth J. Sharkey, Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers New Jersey, and Gabriella E. Morris, Esq., President, The Prudential Foundation. Robert E. Campbell, Vice Chairman – Retired, Johnson & Johnson, is serving as NJN Benefit Celebration Committee and Selection Chair.

For more information on the 2009 NJN Benefit Celebration, please visit the NJN website or contact Liz Durner by email at edurner@evergreenpr.com or by phone at (908) 322-1100.

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