CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ – The Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation elected Michael J. Donohue, Esq. President of the Board of Trustees on January 2, 2025. Donohue is a distinguished attorney based in Cape May County, bringing extensive legal expertise and leadership to his roles. A former New Jersey Superior Court Judge, he currently practices law at Blaney, Donohue & Weinberg P.C. in Avalon. In addition to his legal career, Donohue was recently re-elected as Chairman of the Cape May County Republican Organization (CapeGOP), reflecting his continued commitment to public service and community leadership.
When asked why he invests his time in the Chamber Education Foundation, Donohue said, “Education is the bedrock of every community. It is an honor to be asked to play a role with the Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation. I look forward to working with the other members to work to provide enhanced scholarship opportunities to our young people in Cape May County.”
"We are thrilled to welcome Michael J. Donohue as the new President of the Education Foundation,” says Barbara Stafford Jones, Education Foundation Executive Director, “Michael's unwavering support for our mission and his deep commitment to education make him an exceptional fit for this role. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing our efforts to empower Cape May County students and future leaders through innovative programs and scholarships. We are excited to work with him to build a brighter future for our community."
In addition to Donohue’s election as president, the Foundation also elected Marifrances O’Neill, OceanFirst Bank, as vice president; Tom Piratzky, Community Volunteer, as second vice president; Doug Burke, Burke Motor Group as secretary; and Terry Budd, former Education Foundation president, was elected treasurer.
Elected to the Board of Trustees were Diane Wieland of Cape May County Department of Tourism and Alisandra Almeyda-Capella of OceanFirst Bank.
The CMC Chamber Education Foundation sponsors education programs to strengthen the county’s workforce and job readiness, promote leadership development, and support continued education through scholarship opportunities. Its signature program, Leadership Cape May County, currently in its eighth year, is a nine-month course that develops informed, committed, and qualified business, community, and civic leaders for Cape May County.
Two premier events support the Foundation’s programs: the FORE Education Golf Tournament, which annually honors an individual championing educational causes, and the Gospel Brunch, hosted in partnership with the Greater Cape May City Chamber of Commerce. This uplifting event combines soulful music and a delicious brunch to benefit education scholarships for local students.
Currently, applications for the Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation Scholarships are being accepted through the chamber’s online portal at www.capemaycountychamber.com/scholarships. Each year, students at each high school in Cape May County, plus home-schooled students, are eligible to receive a scholarship for 2-year, 4-year, or Trade School continued education. For more information, please visit www.capemaycountychamber.com/foundation.