DAYTOP NEW JERSEY TO HONOR NEW YORK JETS OWNER WOODY JOHNSON AT ANNUAL GALA WITH HONORARY CHAIRMAN N.J. GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE 

Spirit of Daytop Gala Sheds Light on Adolescent Substance Abuse in New Jersey, Providing Hope for Families 

(Mendham, N.J.) May 21, 2012 – On Wednesday, June 6, Daytop New Jersey will honor Woody Johnson for his support of substance abuse treatment. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a long time supporter of Daytop, is serving as Honorary Chairman of the event which is being held at MetLife Stadium.

“Most New Jersey residents know Woody Johnson as the owner of the New York Jets, but to us at Daytop, he has been a strong advocate for substance abuse treatment,” said Jim Curtin, Executive Director of Daytop New Jersey. "The entire Jets organization, led by Woody's example, is a model of community leadership and philanthropic support," Curtin added.

Daytop New Jersey delivers comprehensive substance abuse treatment and education programs to over 500 teenagers and young adults annually. Their programs are individualized, family-based, cost-effective, peer-oriented and multi-disciplinary in nature. Special emphasis is placed on treating those adolescents without adequate financial resources and/or in need of an alternative to incarceration.

As an individualized, multi-disciplinary substance abuse treatment program, Daytop helps adolescents and their families without the financial resources to gain treatment. Daytop has facilities in Hunterdon, Parsippany, Mendham, and Pittsgrove, New Jersey.

”Daytop understands the needs of adolescents and provides hope and inspiration to adolescents with the simple goal of giving each kid a chance to succeed,” said Jeffrey Sica chair of Daytop’s Executive Counsel.  "We are extremely appreciative of Gov. Christie’s continued support of Daytop and honored to have Woody Johnson serve as this year’s honoree," Sica added.

Governor Christie has previously served as a board member for Daytop, as the organization was one of three charities he selected to receive his inaugural contributions.

Johnson, recently provided some additional inspiration to the kids at Daytop New Jersey when he visited the facility on May 4.

“I was extremely impressed with the remarkable facility, the staff and the young people at Daytop,” said Johnson. “I was honored that they were willing to share their stories with me and I truly admire them for their courage.”

The Daytop 2012 Gala will be hosted at MetLife Stadium and feature a VIP reception with Johnson, a general reception at 6pm and dinner and the program at 7pm. For more information or to purchase tickets for the gala, please contact Mary O’Mealia, Special Events at 908-781-8418 or visit www.daytopnj.org.

About Daytop New Jersey

The mission of Daytop New Jersey is to deliver a comprehensive substance abuse treatment and education program to male and female adolescents. The program is individualized, family-based, cost effective, peer-oriented and multi-disciplinary in nature. Special emphasis is placed on treating those adolescents without adequate financial resources and/or in need of an alternative to incarceration.  Daytop also treats young adults in their outpatient programs. Substance abuse is pervasive in our community and it is a problem that will affect each and every one of us at some point in our lives.  It is important that we have a trusted resource in our community such as Daytop to turn to in a time of need. For more information visit: www.daytopnj.org.

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