Mack-Cali president gets honored for helping New Jersey's disabled.

Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey's 2004 Steps to Independence Dinner honoring Mitchell E. Hersh, president and chief executive officer of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, raised almost $300,000 for the agency. The dinner, attended by 30 guests, was held on November 9th at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, N.J.

Mr. Hersh, in accepting the non-profit's Steps to Independence Award, lauded "the contribution CPNJ makes to the communities of North Jersey" and said the state is a "better place as a result of their outreach and care."

Mr. Hersh also paid tribute to the strong spirit of New Jersey communities' support of both the non-profit and business communities.

"The same energy, enthusiasm, work ethic and decency that make our state such a great place to do business and run a company, come into play when a cause is worthy and a need is great," he said.

"I can think of no one who better represents the ability of business to positively impact the community," said Port Authority chairman and CPNJ trustee Anthony R. Coscia.

"Mitch Hersh is a leader who understands the importance of giving back to the community."

Mr Coscia co-chaired the dinner with Burton L. Eichler and Kelly Marx, who have both served as trustees of CPNJ for more than 40 years.

"We cannot thank Mitch enough," said CPNJ executive director Alan Mucatel. "He has helped spearhead one of the most successful events in our 51-year history and those funds will help us to further improve our services to our consumers."

The Steps to Independence Dinner is CPNJ's largest annual fundraising event. All proceeds from the dinner will support the agency's work with more than 1,000 infants, children and adults with disabilities throughout northern New Jersey. Past event honorees include Anthony R. Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and George R. Zoffinger, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

CPNJ's programs and services include an early intervention program that last year served more than 700 families in Essex and Bergen counties, Horizon School in Livingston, which serves more than 130 children with with multiple disabilities, three adult training centers (two in East Orange and one in Wayne) that serve more than 130 adults; two group homes, in Maplewood and West Orange, and two more under development; a specialized 24-unit apartment complex in Newark; and two after school programs in Livingston and East Orange.