The Gloucester County Education Association (GCEA) welcomed educators across the county to the Sapphire Grand in Deptford on May 20 for its annual Member Appreciation Dinner, an evening dedicated to celebrating and supporting Gloucester County educators and students.
This year’s event carried the theme “Legacy & Liberty,” a nod to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The dinner highlighted the lasting impact educators have on future generations.
“Our Member Appreciation Dinner serves several important purposes,” said GCEA President Stephen Whitehead. “At its core, it is our opportunity to thank members for their continued commitment. However, the event has grown into much more than that.”
One of the evening’s most anticipated traditions was the annual basket raffle for the GCEA Philanthropic Fund. More than 30 themed baskets and prize packages were donated by local associations and NJEA Member Benefits vendors. The baskets reflected the creativity and generosity of GCEA locals, featuring themes such as beach days, gardening, spa treatments, sports memorabilia, pet lovers’ packages, family game nights and more.
“This year, thanks to the generous basket donations from our local associations, we raised $2,100 for the GCEA Philanthropic Fund, which provides three scholarships to Gloucester County public school seniors,” Whitehead said.
The scholarships help support local students as they pursue their educational goals after graduation. This year’s scholarship recipients were Laurel Rue of Pitman High School, Kayla Kent of Gloucester County Institute of Technology, and Erin O’Rourke of Williamstown High School. The students were recognized during GCEA’s final Representative Council meeting of the year.
The evening also featured a new addition: an NJEA Member Benefits Fair designed to help members learn more about cost saving programs, services and resources available through NJEA membership. Representatives shared information and answered questions, ensuring attendees left with practical tools and knowledge in addition to the evening’s festivities.
“Whether it was a prize, useful information, or the satisfaction of supporting students in our community, everyone left with something of value,” Whitehead said.
For GCEA leaders, the event represents far more than a celebration. It serves as a reflection of the organization’s commitment to its members and the communities they serve. Through scholarship fundraising, member engagement and a spirit of generosity, the annual dinner continues to strengthen the bonds that unite Gloucester County educators while helping invest in the next generation.
