2025 CUMBERLAND & SALEM COUNTIES
2025 HONOREES
CUMBERLAND COUNTY HONOREE
Theodore H. Ritter Partner The Ritter Law Office, L.L.C.
SALEM COUNTY HONOREE
John “Jack” Swain Superintendent
Salem County Vocational-Technical School &Salem County Special Services School District
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Paul Ackley Long time Scouter
WELCOME
Charles Allen, Sr. V.P., Wealth Management Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Tammy Garrison, Director of Sales, South Jersey Gas Company Event Co-Chairs
THE COLOR GUARD
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE, SCOUT OATH & SCOUT LAW
Scouts BSA Troop 33, Sharptown
Scouts BSA Troop 98, Bridgeton
Scouts BSA Troop 1, Bridgeton
6:45 P.M.
WHAT SCOUTING MEANS TO ME
Klint Coll, Eagle Scout Scouts BSA, Troop 98 Chartered by The Parish of the Holy Cross of Bridgeton, NJ
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Fr. Mark Cavagnaro
DINNER
7:15 P.M.
GARDEN STATE COUNCIL SCOUTING IMPACT
Patrick Linfors
Scout Executive, Scouting America Garden State Council
SCOUTING LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Honoring Long Time Dedication To Youth And Scouting
Paul Ackley, Scouter
Committee & Sponsor Recognitions
7:30 P.M.
DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARDS PRESENTATION
CUMBERLAND COUNTY HONOREE
Theodore H. Ritter Partner, The Ritter Law Office, L.L.C. Presented by John Casarow
SALEM COUNTY HONOREE
John “Jack” Swain Superintendent, Salem County Vocational-Technical & Salem County Special Services School Districts
Presented by Salem County Sheriff Chuck Miller
CLOSING REMARKS
Charles Allen, Sr. V.P., Wealth Management Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Tammy Garrison, Director of Sales, South Jersey Gas Company Event Co-Chairs
OUR MISSION
At Scouting America, Garden State Council, our mission is to prepare young people to lead lives of integrity, service, and purpose. Guided by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, we help youth develop into responsible citizens and future leaders—ready to meet life’s challenges with confidence and character.
OUR VISION
We envision a community where every young person has the opportunity to explore their potential, grow in leadership, and make a positive impact— anchored in the timeless principles of Scouting.
WHY IT MATTERS
For more than a century, Scouting has empowered youth with hands-on experiences in leadership, outdoor adventure, and service. In South Jersey, the Garden State Council serves over 3,000 youth and nearly 2,000 adult volunteers each year—providing programs that build resilience, teamwork, and lifelong skills.
OUR CORE VALUES
We are guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law, which challenge every Scout to be honorable, helpful, and kind—and to live each day with purpose.
THE SCOUT OATH
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country, to obey the Scouts Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
THE SCOUT LAW
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
THE SCOUT MOTTO
Be Prepared.
20 24 Lighting the Way: A Year of Impact
135 Youth who Earned the Eagle Scout Award
224 Packs, Troops, Crews, and Posts
410 Youth Served in ScoutReach Division
$23,859 in Assistance to Youth for Registration, programs, and camperships
$22,750 in College Scholarships Awarded
Thanks to your support, 2024 was a year of incredible impact for Scouts across six counties. Together, we empowered thousands of young people to embrace adventure, develop leadership skills, and build a stronger future. Here’s a look at what we accomplished with your help! Your support makes all the difference. Help us continue providing life-changing experiences for youth in 2025 and beyond by supporting Friends of Scouting today. gardenstatescouting.org
Total Youth Served in 2024
5,784 1,966 Adult Volunteers
36,895 Containers of Popcorn and Camp Cards Sold by Scouts to Help them earn their own way.
70,662 Pounds Donated by Scouting for Food
$96,286 in Costs to Deliver the ScoutReach Program
2025 CUMBERLAND & SALEM COUNTIES AWARDS
DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARDS SPONSORS
THE RITTER LAW OFFICE, L.L.C
B.R.
Cosmo
Freitag Funeral Home
Inspira Health
Mid-Atlantic
OceanFirst Bank
The
CHARLES ALLEN
Morgan Stanley
Charles Allen is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley in Vineland, NJ. An Eagle Scout and lifelong Scouter, he remains deeply involved in youth leadership as Committee Chair of Pack 238, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 33, and Venturing Crew Advisor for Crew 38. Charles serves on the Executive Board of the Garden State Council and has held key roles including Assistant District Commissioner and Co-Chair of the Council’s Trust and Endowment Committee. He also supports the Council’s annual Sporting Clays Tournament as an active committee member. A past president and trustee of the Mannington Township Ruritan Club, Charles lives in Pilesgrove with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Samuel and Josephine.
TAMMY GARRISON
South Jersey Gas
Tammy Garrison is the Director of Sales at South Jersey Gas Company, where she has dedicated over 35 years. She takes pride in leading a committed Sales team focused on customer growth and delivering exceptional service. Tammy is deeply involved in her community, serving as VP of Fund Development for the Garden State Council and as VP on the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation board. As Cubmaster for Pack 25 in Millville, she enjoys guiding Cub Scouts through badge work, fostering growth, and creating lasting family memories. A lifelong resident of Cumberland County, Tammy lives in Millville with her husband, Dan, and their blended family of four children and eight grandchildren. She holds a business degree from Wilmington University.
The Distinguished Citizen Award, presented by Scouting America Garden State Council, recognizes individuals who, embody the values of leadership, integrity, and service— qualities that are at the heart of Scouting. This prestigious honor is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the growth and vitality of Southern New Jersey.
By celebrating distinguished citizenship, we send a powerful message to our youth: character truly matters. The lives of these exceptional individuals serve as guideposts—inspiring the next generation to lead with integrity, accept responsibility, and commit to causes greater than themselves.
Funds raised from the Distinguished Citizen Awards event support a wide range of programs, camps, and leadership activities that benefit more than 3,000 youth across southern NJ. These programs equip young people with essential life skills, reinforce positive values, and prepare them to become active, engaged citizens in their communities.
Join us in honoring these remarkable leaders—and in supporting the future of Scouting and the next generation of servant leaders.
THEODORE H. RITTER
Partner, The Ritter Law Office, L.L.C.
Theodore Henry Ritter was born on October 8, 1948, to Warren A. and Dolores D’Ippolito Ritter in Vineland, where he attended local schools, graduating from Vineland High School in 1966.
Ted attended Marietta College, where he met his future wife, Jean. During the summers of his college years, Ted worked as a seasonal employee at the County Courthouse. After graduating in May 1970, he entered Washington and Lee University School of Law, graduating in 1973. Ted was elected Vice President of the law school student body for 1972-1973.
Following the July 1973 Bar Examination, Ted began working in the Bridgeton law office of David L. Horuvitz. He passed the bar exam and became a member of the New Jersey Bar on December 21, 1973. Ted handled insurance defense jury trials for the Horuvitz firm and started his own law practice in December 1978. In January 1979, he was appointed Assistant Cumberland County Prosecutor, prosecuting criminal jury trials until March 1984, when he was tapped by New Jersey Public Advocate Joseph Rodriguez to head the Cumberland Region Public Defender’s Office.
Ted became certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Criminal Trial Attorney in 1982 and as a Civil Trial Attorney in 1984. He has been a member of the Cumberland County Historical Society since 1976, serving on its Board of Trustees since 1992 and as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Ted is also a Trustee of the Roman Catholic Parish of the Holy Cross and a member of the Parish Finance Council.
Ted was recognized in 1998 as a Cumberland County Professional Lawyer of the Year. In 2003, he received the statewide Trial Bar Award from Trial Attorneys of New Jersey and the Cumberland County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award in 2011.
Ted has been a daily jogger since 1976 and is an avid antique car hobbyist. Ted and Jean married in 1971 and will celebrate their 54th anniversary next month. Their son, Matthew, is one of Ted’s law partners. Their daughter, Cassie Ritter Hunt, is the Executive Director of Statistical Analysis in the office of the President of Washington and Lee University. Ted and Jean are blessed with five grandchildren: Connor Hunt, Max Busnardo, Katie Hunt, Leo Ritter, and Zoe Ritter.
We are so proud to be your family
Love Jean, Matt and Erica, Cassie and Greg, Conner, Max, Katie, Leo and Zoë
to the Inaugural Gala! a celebration of community, character, and the spirit of Scouting!
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026 | 7 P.M.
AT THE WESTIN IN MT. LAUREL, NJ
Join us for an elegant evening featuring a cocktail hour, online silent auction, sit-down dinner, live music, and dancing. Proceeds support the mission to instill the values of the Scout Oath and Law in youth across southern New Jersey. Be a part of something meaningful—help shape the future of Scouting!
To learn more, visit: bit.ly/GSC-2025-Event-Donation