Samaritan Daytop Village Celebrated 10th Anniversary of Veterans Black Tie Dinner, Honoring Veterans in Recovery and ABC Correspondent CeFaan Kim

From left to right: Samaritan Daytop Village President & CEO Mitchell Netburn, ABC News Correspondent CeFaan Kim, Samaritan Daytop Village AVP of Residential Treatment Deirdre Rice-Reese, and Samaritan Daytop Village Executive VP & Chief Program & Legal Officer Alicia McFarlane
Photo credit: Frejus for Samaritan Daytop Village 

Samaritan Daytop Village Celebrated 10th Anniversary
of Veterans Black Tie Dinner, Honoring Veterans
in Recovery and ABC Correspondent CeFaan Kim

(NEW YORK, NY - October 23, 2024) - On October 23, 2024, Samaritan Daytop Village hosted its 10th Annual Veterans Alumni Black Tie Dinner, an inspiring evening with more than 160 attendees dedicated to honoring veterans in recovery from addiction, alumni of Samaritan’s veterans programs, devoted staff, and CeFaan Kim, ABC News correspondent and veteran. In a special tribute, the nonprofit also presented a flag to the family of Edwin Cuevas III, a fallen veteran.

   

A representative, on behalf of the Speaker of the City Council, Adrienne Adams, presented the nonprofit with a proclamation, marking a decade of the Black Tie Dinner and recognizing the organization's continued commitment to veterans' care and recovery. There were also appearances from Veteran Alumni Elite of Samaritan's Ed Thompson and 43rd Street Veterans programs, and prominent leaders such as James Hendon, NYC Veterans Services Commissioner, and New York State Senator Luis R. Sepulveda.

“Veterans give their all in service to this country, and the very least we can do as a society is give them all the support and help they need,” said Mitchell Netburn, President and CEO of Samaritan Daytop Village. “I’m truly honored to be President and CEO of an agency known for helping veterans.”

“I want to thank Samaritan for the wonderful job you guys do in my district,” said New York State Senator Luis R. Sepulveda. “You continue to do a good job, and you’ll continue to have my support.”

“This event celebrates the hard work and achievements of each honoree, serving as a powerful reminder to others of what’s possible,” said James Hollywood, Vice President of Residential and Recovery Services at Samaritan Daytop Village. “If one person has done it, another person can do it.”

As a US Air Force veteran, I know firsthand the courage and commitment it takes to rebuild after service, and I’m honored to stand beside these veterans as they pursue their recovery journeys,” said Deirdre Rice-Reese, Assistant Vice President of Residential Treatment at Samaritan Daytop Village. “Thank you to our supporters who share in our mission to provide them with the support, respect, and resources they deserve.”

Veteran Alumni Elite Honorees:

• Daniel Johnson - 43rd Street Veterans Program
• John Townsend - Ed Thompson Veterans Program
• Tommy Guerriero - Ed Thompson Veterans Program
• Reginald Newkirk - 43rd Street Veterans Program

Community Awards:

• Dr. Gregory Bunt - Medical Director, Samaritan Daytop Village
• Ramon DeJesus - Director of Client Benefits, Samaritan Daytop Village
• Dr. William Butler - Times Square Church
• Joseph Bello - Chair of the V.A.'s Metro NYC Community Veterans Engagement Board(CVEB) and member of the Bronx Borough President's Veterans Advisory Council
• Fernando Orbegoso - 96-year-old army veteran and Legend Award recipient

For more information on Samaritan Daytop Village’s veterans services, click here.

About Samaritan Daytop Village:

For over 60 years, Samaritan Daytop Village has been improving the quality of life for New Yorkers. The nonprofit is nationally recognized for the treatment of substance use disorder as well as for the veteran-specific approach it pioneered. Our continuum of services also includes health and mental health care, transitional and supportive housing, educational and vocational assistance, peer-assisted recovery, and specialized programs for adolescents, families, and seniors. Annually, Samaritan Daytop Village serves over 33,000 people at more than 60 facilities throughout New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. For more information about Samaritan Daytop Village, visit https://samaritanvillage.org/.

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