Family, friends, advocates and supporters from across New Jersey will gather Aug. 31 for the inaugural Gov. Richard J. Codey Memorial Golf Outing, a charitable event honoring the late governor’s decades-long commitment to improving mental health care and fighting stigma surrounding mental illness.
The outing will be held at Upper Montclair Golf Club in Clifton, with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. and a shotgun start at 2 p.m.
The event is still open to golfers, sponsors and supporters, but individual and foursome registrations are selling out quickly.
Proceeds will benefit the Codey Fund for Mental Health, the nonprofit founded by Richard and Mary Jo Codey to expand access to compassionate, quality mental health care and support organizations serving New Jersey residents.
“For more than 50 years, my father used every position he held in public life to advocate for people living with mental illness, and their families,” Kevin Codey, President of The Codey Fund for Mental Health, said.
“This outing is an opportunity to celebrate that legacy, bring people together around a cause he cared deeply about and continue the work he began.”
Gov. Codey, who passed away in January, was widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading champions for mental health reform. During his career in the Legislature and as Governor, he pushed for sweeping changes designed to improve care, increase accountability and expand access to services.
As chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Codey famously went undercover inside Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital to expose conditions facing patients, an investigation that led to stricter hiring practices and mandatory criminal background checks for psychiatric hospital employees throughout New Jersey.
His advocacy also helped make New Jersey the first state in the nation to require screening for postpartum depression for all new mothers before leaving the hospital.
As governor, his first official act was establishing a task force to reform New Jersey’s mental health system. He later signed legislation dedicating $200 million for housing serving individuals living with mental illness.
“Dick believed mental illness should be treated like any other medical condition and that every person deserved access to quality care,” Mary Jo Codey said. “I’m grateful that he put my mental health challenge in the national conversation, but also that he left behind a legacy that today benefits countless New Jerseyans. The Codey Fund is committed to carrying that vision forward.”
Today, the Codey Fund for Mental Health awards grants to organizations throughout New Jersey, promoting public education and awareness and working to eliminate the stigma often associated with mental illness. At the Aug. 31 dinner, the fund will present VolunPEER with its largest contribution, establishing the Gov. Richard J. Codey Senior Wellness & Peer Support Collaborative grant program.
The tournament will feature a unique Nine and Dine format. Golfers will compete in a nine-hole shamble, with the top five individual scores advancing to a playoff shootout to determine the champion. Dinner, awards and networking opportunities will follow.
The golf outing is headlined by two Platinum Sponsors, FBT Gibbons and CBRE, and one Gold Sponsor, March Construction. “The generous support of our sponsors is instrumental in making the event and our mission to advance mental health initiatives across New Jersey possible,” Kevin Codey said.
“Supporting the Gov. Richard J. Codey Memorial Golf Outing is more than just a sponsorship — it’s a commitment to advancing mental health care and breaking down barriers for those in need,” Andrew Camelotto, a partner at FBT Gibbons, said. “FBT Gibbons is proud to stand with the Codey Fund and the New Jersey community in building a future where everyone has access to compassionate support and quality care.”
Matthew Pizzolato, a Senior Vice President at CBRE, echoed the sentiment.
“CBRE is honored to support the Gov. Richard J. Codey Memorial Golf Outing and the vital mission of the Codey Fund for Mental Health,” Pizzolato said. “By partnering with this event, we join a community dedicated to expanding access to compassionate care and breaking the stigma around mental illness in New Jersey. Together, we can make a lasting difference for individuals and families across the state.”
Lou March III, Managing Director of Asset Management, March Construction, added: “We are proud to support the Gov. Richard J. Codey Memorial Golf Outing and its mission to advance mental health care for all New Jerseyans.”
For registration, sponsorship opportunities or additional information, contact Joanne Tobia at 973-325-9650 or jtobia@danbroproperties.com.
About the Codey Fund for Mental Health: The Codey Fund for Mental Health is a nonprofit organization founded by Richard and Mary Jo Codey to promote awareness, education and access to quality mental health care throughout New Jersey. Through grants, advocacy and public outreach, the fund supports organizations and initiatives that improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
To register or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, go here.
