Turning Point Evening of Hope and Recovery 2024

Get your 50/50 Tickets - only 750 tickets will be sold

License #: 2024-25                  ID #:  74-5-27526

$10 per ticket - payment in cash or check only

Click here to send an email to make arrangements for purchase

If you prefer to pay with a check, please contact Dawn Knill at [email protected] 

to have a form emailed to you.

JOIN US AS WE COME TOGETHER FOR

This year's honoree will be

Garrett C. Jones

Born and raised in West Caldwell, New Jersey, Garrett has been a longtime resident and professional in Caldwell.  Inspired by his parents, the late Roger and Dolores Jones, both of whom were immersed in the community as civic leaders and volunteers, Jones has dedicated his life to serving the community as a volunteer and professional. 

He is known in the community as a funeral director; church - youth advisor, confirmation teacher, and mentor; member, board member, and officer of local non-profit organizations in Essex and Morris Counties - including, Kiwanis Club of Caldwell / West Essex (Past President), Cedar Hill CDC Program in Boonton (board member), Vero Amici for Charity, Essex Lodge #7 Free & Accepted Masons, Chaplain of the American Legion James Caldwell Post #185 and a member of the Sons of the Legion, 2022 chair of the Rotary / Kiwanis Street Fair in Caldwell.  In addition, he has been honored by the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, West Essex PBA Local 81 in 2017, Kiwanis International with the George F. Hixson Award and the Carrington Swain NJ District Award and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Montclair Chapter in 2022; honorary memberships include the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department (first citizen inductee), Chiefs of Police Association, and in May of 2023 Caldwell University conferred Mayor Jones with a degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

Garrett graduated from James Caldwell High School in 1983; undergraduate studies were focused on communications and religion with a minor in biology.  He graduated from Lynchburg College, Virginia in 1987; as a postgraduate he obtained his Funeral Service Certificate in Jersey from MCCC.  Jones is also a Certified Celebrant and participated in the first class offered by the NJ Funeral Directors Association, a life-changing opportunity for Jones.  He is currently serving his second term on the New Jersey Board of Mortuary Science. 

Mr. Jones has worked in many capacities at the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, First Christian Church and Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church both in Lynchburg, VA, and Dancy Funeral Home in Caldwell.

His career in the funeral profession began in Caldwell in 1986 and in 2022 he is proud to have opened his own business, Garrett Jones Memorial Homes, located in Roseland and Cedar Grove.

When not working, volunteering, and governing he enjoys time in the outdoors as an avid sportsman boating, fishing, and hunting with family and friends throughout the year. 

Join us for a cocktail style reception, a sit down dinner, live music, silent auction and 50/50 raffle

All proceeds will benefit the programs and services offered by Turning Point, Inc.

We are fortunate to have our keynote this year also be a member of the Turning Point leadership team. Robert Parkinson is looking forward to sharing his journey of recovery at this year's gala.  Below is a brief professional and personal bio about Robert.

Robert C. Parkinson, was born and raised in Westfield, New Jersey.   He graduated from Ithaca College in 1986 with a BS in Business and History, and from Penn State University with an MBA in Strategy and Technology Management.  

Prior to committing his professional attention to non-profits, he worked for 5 years in analytical roles working with KPMG Peat Marwick and McKinsey and Company in NYC.  Robert also spent 8 years working for PA Consulting Group as a Management Consultant leading major change programs for major global corporations.  For the past 18 years, Robert has dedicated his professional career to working in the non-profit space.  Prior to joining Turning Point, Robert worked in senior financial (CFO), operations (COO), business development, and strategic planning roles in two other large non-profit drug treatment agencies.  He is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Turning Point and is responsible for the overall financial leadership of the agency including financial planning and analysis, budgeting, revenue and cost management, and accounting.  Robert regularly spearheads internal strategic initiatives that focus on growth and diversification of services.  He presently serves on the Board of Hyacinth AIDS Foundation and The Bridge. 

Robert lives in a 130-year-old row home in Jersey City with his husband Machel Tulley-Parkinson and their French Bulldog, Valentino where they are constantly finding projects in their home.   He is very active in the Jersey City recovery activities, is an excellent cook, and presently faking it as a gardener.  

2024 Evening of Hope & Recovery Committee

Mark Trewhella, Chairman

Sean McShane, Co-Chair

Gail Connors

Judy Dancy

Michael Dancy

Robin Delehanty

Robert R. Detore, Turning Point CEO

George Haas

Dawn K. Knill, CFRE, Turning Point Director of Development and Public Affairs

Risa Levy

Information filed by Turning Point Inc. with the New Jersey Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling (973) 504-6215 and is available on the internet at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity/chardir.htm. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement.   Turning Point tax ID is #22-2046926