PRAC to Honor Ralph Padilla at October’s Gala
AC JosepH Media
PENNS GROVE – The late executive director of the Ralph Padilla will be honored posthumously at the Puerto Rican Action Committee’s 53rd annual Hispanic Heritage Gala on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Maria’s by DiPaolo’s, 6 p.m., 72 North Virginia Avenue in Penns Grove.
The trailblazing Padilla, the influential executive director of PRAC, died in June months after receiving a liver transplant. He was named PRAC’s executive director in 2013.
The gala is a black tie-optional event. He is being honored with longtime PRAC Board President Jose Sanchez and retired municipal court Judge Jason Witcher.
READ: Remembering Trailblazing Ralph Padilla
He was first Hispanic appointed to serve as the chief of a county prosecutor’s office in the state of New Jersey when he served in that post in Salem County in 2005 and the first Latino mayor in Pittsgrove.
Witcher honored Padilla with a Facebook post recently.
“I am humbled and grateful to receive this honor alongside my beloved fallen brother and mentor, Ralph Padilla,” Witcher wrote. “Reflecting on the impact he had on my life, brings both joy and tears, my life would have taken a different if not for Chief seeing something in me and investing in my potential.
“It almost feels wrong to accept it, I doubt I’ll be able to get through any acceptance speech, chief would have said, “put your boy pants on
For additional information about the event, contact: Joceline Ortiz at jortiz@pracnj.com, Stefanie Holmes at sholmes@pracnj.com or call: 856-299-5800.
Organized in 1971 by a group of Salem County agricultural workers, PRAC was formed for the purpose of advancing, promoting and enhancing social, economic, cultural and educational opportunities for Hispanic citizens.
Follow Us Today On:
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading.
About Author
