Legacy of Giving Event Honors
John F. Scarpa for Lifetime of Generosity
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) honored entrepreneur and philanthropist John F. Scarpa at its Legacy of Giving Event on Thursday, October 25th, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. In honoring Scarpa, CFSJ leaders urged others to follow his inspiration and that of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who famously lived by the mantra: “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
CFSJ, a powerful network of local philanthropists and charitable funds designed to benefit South Jersey communities, has recognized South Jersey’s outstanding donors with the Legacy of Giving Award since 2013. More than 500 attendees commended Scarpa for his character, influence and relationships, and celebrated his lifetime of philanthropy across South Jersey. Many speakers thanked Scarpa for the lasting influence he has had on South Jersey institutions and individuals, and his investment in root causes such as health care and education.
The event was sponsored by Joe Plumeri; The Azeez Foundation; Bayada Home Healthcare; Eastlyn – The Greenview Inn; Holman Beideman Fund; ICONA; Inspira Health Network Foundations; Marble Crafters; John and Jana Scarpa – The John F. Scarpa Foundation; Zeke Capital Advisors, LLC.; William B. Finneran; Gruccio, Pepper, DeSanto & Ruth, P.A.; PSEG; Rowan University Foundation; Salmon Ventures Ltd.; and more.
“Over the years, John Scarpa has displayed a strong sense of community and a passion for helping others,” John Connell, CFSJ Board Chair, said. “The impact of his extraordinary and selfless generosity will be felt by South Jersey residents and communities for generations to come.”
“I am honored and proud to accept this award,” Scarpa said. “The extraordinary work of CFSJ truly enhances the quality of life across South Jersey. It is inspiring to be among a network that supports such outstanding causes so meaningful to local families, industries and communities.”
“My mother strongly believed in giving back to the community. She believed in helping people in our community whenever possible. I live my life by that lesson. I think she would approve of supporting education and health care causes that improve the lives of our neighbors in South Jersey,” Scarpa said.
Scarpa, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, was noted for his many contributions across the South Jersey region. Through the John F. Scarpa Foundation, he supports many causes, including education and health care. He is the principal benefactor for the Frank and Edith Scarpa Regional Cancer Center at Inspira Health Network in Vineland, and donated $1 million to the renamed John F. Scarpa Technical Education Center of Cumberland County in Vineland. In 2015, he founded the John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship at Villanova University Law School.
In 1998, Scarpa helped establish the Edith Favretto Scarpa Arts and Sciences Building at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Buena Vista Township. Dennis Foreman, Executive Director for Advancement at the school, personally thanked Scarpa for helping enhance the educational experience for young people in South Jersey, noting that enrollment doubled soon after his donation.
Professionally, Scarpa is the former co-founder and president of American Cellular Network Corporation, as well as former co-founder of Unitel Wireless Communications Systems, and helped develop and operate cellular telephone systems throughout the U.S. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from the American University of Rome, Italy, as well as Villanova Law School, where he established the John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies. Scarpa has also received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the National Italian American Foundation Special Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit, and was the recipient of the Alexis de Tocqueville National Award.
Scarpa and his wife Jana reside in Avalon, New Jersey, and Palm Beach, Florida.
“Persons who demonstrate a spirit of philanthropy, such as John F. Scarpa, are recognized by compassion, respect, trust and passion to imagine a better world,” Andy Fraizer, Executive Director of CFSJ, said. “In philanthropy, our hearts are the origin of our journey, and each of us has the capacity to be philanthropic, to give of ourselves no matter the means to make the world a better place.”
For more information about the Community Foundation of South Jersey, please visit www.communityfoundationsj.org.
About the Community Foundation of South Jersey:
Since 2013, The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) has honored individuals and families from South Jersey who embody a spirit of philanthropy and inspire others to make a difference. Honorees have included Mark and Ann Baiada, The Holman Family, The Healey Family, Lewis Katz and Marcy Dalsey. CFSJ helps South Jersey residents harness the power of philanthropy to transform their communities and the issues they care about most. The Foundation helps donors to create funds, large and small, and achieve positive results with their generosity in South Jersey. By working with the Community Foundation, donors can engage in philanthropy that is innovative, visionary and effective
