Dan Cirucci: NJ First Lady Honors 'Heroes' Of Camp Acorn

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NJ First Lady Honors 'Heroes' Of Camp Acorn

Recognizing a passion to serve children and adults with special needs, First Lady Mary Pat Christie has named Cathy Carisi, co-founder and executive director of Camp Acorn, as her 27th New Jersey Hero. Located in Allendale, Camp Acorn provides summer and winter social recreational programs for children and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder.

“Cathy Carisi is a true inspiration,” said Mrs. Christie. “I admire Cathy’s commitment to volunteering, which ultimately fostered in her a passion to serve those with special needs that has grown deeper and stronger for more than 20 years. Her dedication and genuine compassion for all the participants has made a difference in the lives of not only the campers, but their families, staff and volunteers at Camp Acorn. I am proud to name her our third New Jersey Hero of 2014.”

Founded in 2001, Camp Acorn empowers children and young adults with special needs through programs that address their physical, emotional and social well-being. Camp participants learn and grow at their own pace, building self-esteem, confidence and life skills that touch every aspect of their lives.

“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of Camp Acorn’s past and present staff,” said Cathy Carisi, co-founder and executive director. “Through our collaborative efforts and friendship, we have turned this little idea into a thriving community that has forever changed the lives of our campers.”

Ms. Carisi is a school psychologist with 25 years of experience working with children and adults with special needs. She is also the co-coordinator of the Bergen County Flight Team, a volunteer program that provides extra counseling support to school communities dealing with tragic events. In 2011, Ms. Carisi was bestowed with the Russ Berrie Unsung Hero Award for her work at Camp Acorn. Currently, she is working to expand Camp Acorn to a full-time, year round 21 and over program.

Mrs. Christie added, “It is fitting to recognize Cathy’s efforts in April because it is also Autism Awareness Month in New Jersey. Camp Acorn is one of so many organizations in our state that serve people with autism while promoting greater understanding of this developmental disability.”

Camp Acorn offers four program sessions throughout the year. Winter Sessions are comprised of a Saturday respite (1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.), After –School (Tuesdays/Thursdays -4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Dances (first Friday of each month). Summer Session consists of 9 weeks, full-time Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. While most campers range in age from teens to early 30’s, Camp Acorn serves children as young as 5 to adults in their early 50’s.

The camp is operated by certified special educators with more than 60 years of combined experience working with individuals with disabilities. In addition, more than 150 student volunteers help at camp throughout the year.

For more information about Camp Acorn, visit www.campacorn.org

New Jersey Heroes is an initiative of First Lady Mary Pat Christie that showcases the positive and unique ways people and organizations are impacting New Jersey and their communities. To nominate a hero, visit newjerseyheroes.org and follow the application instructions and submit the person you believe is a true New Jersey Hero.

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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