Catherine D. Burke Named Chair of Save Ellis Island Foundation Board of Trustees

AUGUSTA, N.J., August 20, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Save Ellis Island, Inc. the National Park Service fundraising partner for the restoration and reuse of 29 historic buildings on Ellis Island, has today named Catherine D. Burke as Chairperson of the Foundation.

Ms. Burke, a lifelong resident of Atlantic City and co-founder of the Irish Pub in Atlantic City and PA, has been involved with the nonprofit since 1999. Burke had previously been selected by Governor Whitman as a member of her Advisory Committee on the Preservation and Use of the unrestored 29 historic buildings on Ellis Island.

Cathy's passion, dedication and leadership are unsurpassed. It has been my pleasure to work with Cathy as a trustee of Save Ellis Island and I look forward to working with her in her new role as Chairperson.

Janis Calella, President

“I am honored and humbled by my appointment as Chair of the Save Ellis Island Board. Since working with the dedicated individuals committed to restoring this national treasure, I have felt a personal affinity towards seeing this come to fruition,” she said.

Burke, the recipient of numerous awards, including being recognized and recorded in the U.S. Congressional Record by U.S. Senator Bill Bradley as “Woman of the Year” for her community, church and charitable works.

“Cathy’s passion, dedication and leadership are unsurpassed. It has been my pleasure to work with Cathy as a trustee of Save Ellis Island and I look forward to working with her in her new role as Chairperson,” said Janis Calella, President of Save Ellis Island.

Ms. Burke is replacing Mrs. Joanne Del Rio, who served as Board Chair for almost seven years.

When Ellis Island opened in 1892, the first immigrant to step ashore was a 15-year-old girl from Ireland's County Cork named Annie Moore. Almost 300,000 of Annie’s Irish countrymen and women would follow before the last man would be processed through Ellis Island on Nov. 12, 1954. During the 62 years in between, an incredible 12 million newcomers came to Ellis Island looking for America. It was the largest migration in human history.

Save Ellis Island, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the National Park Service designated partner to raise the funds necessary to rehabilitate and beneficially re-use the remaining unrestored 29 historic buildings on Ellis Island’s south side. In 2014 Save Ellis Island opened a portion of the hospital for tours and on-site education programs. For more information regarding this restoration project, visit our website at www.saveellisisland.org or call us at 973 383 1080.

Contact: Janis Calella
​jcalella@saveellisisland.org

Source: Save Ellis Island, Inc.