Essex County attorney honored for advancing Metro YMCA mission

Peter Tanella with his award

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Peter H. Tanella, an attorney and Cedar Grove councilman, received the prestigious Kenneth A. DeGhetto Champion’s Cup at the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges’ 24th annual Kids Care Club Golf Outing on Sept. 17.

“Peter stepped up in a big way in his first year to make the golf outing a huge success,” Metro YMCA President and CEO Richard K. Gorab said.

Tanella, a member of Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C. in Roseland, joined the Metro YMCA board of directors last year. Mandelbaum Salsburg was a birdie sponsor of the outing, held at the Montclair Golf Club.

“Peter recruited 13 golfers and secured sponsors and over $12,000 in financial support so that the Metro YMCA can continue to support children and families in need,” Metro YMCA Chief Development Officer Lisa Kelly said.

More than 156 golfers attended the annual event, which has raised $1.7 million since 1994, Kelly said. The Metro YMCA’s seven branches use the proceeds to provide programs and services to children, adults and seniors who otherwise could not afford them.

The Metro YMCA established the Kenneth A. DeGhetto award in 2011 to recognize a spirit of generosity, sportsmanship and an unwavering support of the Y’s mission. It is named for its first recipient, a longtime Metro YMCA director who died in September 2016 at the age of 92.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about Kenneth DeGhetto and am honored to be in such great company,” said Tanella, a member of his firm’s executive committee and chairman of its business law practice group.

“Serving on the Metro YMCA is very important to me, and I appreciate the firm and my partners supporting my efforts with the Y,” he said. “I believe very strongly in giving back to the community, and this is an organization I feel passionate about. The Metro YMCA impacts the lives of so many people — from children to the elderly and everyone in-between.”

Tanella serves on the Metro YMCA board of directors’ governance committee and is a volunteer on the golf committee. He was first elected to the Cedar Grove council in 2004 and served four terms as mayor.