Join Calais friends and family for fun, food and fundraising at the Calais Foundation Annual Gala April 27 at the Park Savoy in Florham Park. Now in its 10th year, the local nonprofit’s flagship event raises funds and awareness for children with special needs.

The gala is also a platform for honoring those that have made a significant impact on the lives of children and young adults with special needs and their families. The 2022 honorees are Brian Tarpey, President of Tarpey Group, Calais School Nurse Carol Vorhies and Calais School nursing staff members Patty Cupka and Mary Berry, and the late Daniel Karger, a 15-year member of the Calais School Board of Trustees and co-founder of the Calais Foundation.

The McClafferty Award will be presented to Brian Tarpey, President of Tarpey Group for his continued commitment to helping children with special needs. Tarpey is a long-time supporter of the Calais Foundation. Through the years, Tarpey Group’s generous contributions have helped to fund the life-changing therapeutic services and programs that define the Calais School.

Carol Vorhies, Calais School Nurse and the nursing department staff will receive the Leitner Excellence in Education Award. Vorhies and the nursing staff valiantly served the school, its staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. They professionally managed the COVID-19 crisis, helping to establish policies and procedures for temperature checks and testing for staff, students and visitors. In addition, Nurse Vorhies secured a partnership to provide on-site testing for Calais faculty and staff.

A special tribute will also be made to the late Daniel Karger, a 15-year member of the Calais School Board of Trustees and co-founder of the Calais Foundation. He was a longtime volunteer with the Calais Foundation, helping with multiple events, including galas and golf outings. Calais School Executive Director David Leitner praised his longtime friend. “Dan helped the school evolve from a more traditional special education school for children with behavioral disabilities into a world class special education school for students with complex and multiple and multiple learning disabilities and psychotic disorders.”

Motivational humorist and life success consultant Tommy Hilcken will serve as the evening’s emcee. The gala will take place Wednesday, April 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Park Savoy in Florham Park. Tickets and sponsorships are available now.

This post was first published on the Calais Foundation website.

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