HOPEWELL: YMCA set to honor Chris Murphy and Jon Butler

The Hopewell Valley YMCA this week announced that Chris Murphy and Jon Butler have been selected as the 2017 recipients of the Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award. Chris and Jon will be recognized at the YMCA’s Spring for the Y “Champagne Tailgate” charity event on the evening of Friday, April 28 at the historic Glenmoore Barn in Hopewell Township. A limited number of tickets and sponsorship opportunities remain available., The Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes local heroes and leaders whose service to others has become a guiding light to our community. Named after Larry Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market for his continued philanthropy and service to Hopewell Valley and beyond, the award emphasizes a premier area of focus of the Hopewell Valley YMCA’s charitable mission, programs and services., Chris Murphy and Jon Butler have been long-time champions for youth throughout Hopewell Valley and have supported the YMCA and its programs for many years., Murphy owns The Front Porch in Pennington, where she was recently recognized as Business of the Year by the Pennington Economic Development Committee. She was also recognized by the Hopewell Valley Education Foundation for her community leadership. She has served as past president of the Pennington Business & Professional Association, and serves on the Pennington EDC. She had dedicated more than eight years as treasurer to three local PTOs (Toll Gate Grammar, Timberlane, and Hopewell Valley Central High School). The Front Porch was also a leading sponsor for the “Turf’s Up” project of the Recreation Foundation of Hopewell Valley., Butler is the Executive Director of Pop Warner Little Scholars, an international youth sports organization. For his volunteer work with fundraising and recruiting for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Philadelphia, Jon was recently recognized by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains., In 2006, He was selected as the Hershey’s S.T.R.I.V.E Awards’ National Youth Sports Administrator of the Year. Jon was elected Vice President of the National Council of Youth Sports. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Children’s Literacy and Book Alliance, the Editorial Advisory Board of Sports Events Magazine, the Diversity Committee of U.S. Lacrosse, the Board of Directors of USA Football. Jon just “retired” from serving on the Hopewell Valley Board of Education, and presently serves as co-chair of the Recreation Foundation of Hopewell Valley., “When I think of community leaders, Chris Murphy and Jon Butler immediately come to mind,” YMCA CEO Doug Pszczolkowski said. “They are strong supporters of youth throughout Hopewell Valley and inspire local business owners and organizations to join them in providing resources and positive experiences in youth sports and leadership programming.”, The Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award was first presented to Sheryl Stone in 2013, followed by Jean & John Gianacaci of Christine’s Hope for Kids in 2014, Phil “Cream King” Volpe in 2015, and Kim Bruno in 2016. In choosing this year’s honorees, the YMCA’s nominating community unanimously concluded that the Murphy/Butler couple has worked to make a difference in the lives of many in our community every day. But more importantly, just like the Rothwell family, they inspire countless others to do more., The Spring for the Y “Champagne Tailgate” takes place on Friday, April 28th at the Glenmoore Barn from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ticket and corporate sponsorship information is available at hvymca.org or by calling 609-737-3048.