“Work Hard, Play Hard, Give Hard!” is the motto that Scott Delea, chairman and founder of Party With Purpose, lives and works by. Delea founded the not-for-profit organization shortly after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, which deeply moved him. The silhouette of the Twin Towers is still in the logo of the organization. “It was a time when I knew I wanted to give back but didn’t know how,” says Delea. “Why don’t I come up with a way for my friends and I to contribute and have fun doing it while staying connected with the community.” To date, Party With Purpose has donated $500,000 through its various annual events, such as its Winter Benefit and 5k races and Kids’ Fun Run. This year marks 11 years of service to the community. The organization gives what is called a restricted grant, which must be earmarked for a specific local children’s charity for a specific purpose. Delea is adamant about donations going to local charities where you can see the impact of your contribution within the community. “We vet local children’s charities and scrutinize them,” he says. “The organizations have to be a nonprofit itself and have to be willing to allow us to come visit them and report the impact of the grant.”
Party With Purpose is just one of many hats that Delea wears in Hoboken. He is also founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency, Inflexion Interactive, which is based in Hoboken. He is a member of the board of the Boys and Girls Club in Hoboken and sat on the board of the Hoboken Historical Museum for a few years. Delea is as motivated as they come and a real mover and shaker in the city he has called home for 15 years.
Delea lives and works in Hoboken and is currently single with no children (in case anyone out there is wondering). When he has free time you can see him supporting local Hoboken businesses by shopping in town as much as possible. He also can be found at Madison Bar & Grill and the Turtle Club chatting up the owners whom he admires because of their dreams to open their own places rooted in rich Hoboken history. “It is true to Hoboken,” says Delea of the Turtle Club on 10th and Park Avenue, which takes its name from a former Hoboken social club. Delea is a fan of famous Hoboken resident Eli Manning, though Delea admits to also supporting the Buffalo Bills.
But supporting local charities is his passion. He announced this year’s new donation recipients at the Winter Benefit held at the W Hotel on Feb. 27. They are: Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, Hoboken Boys & Girls club, Hoboken Museum, Hopes Cap Inc, Jeremy’s Heroes, Jin-Che-Fway Karate School, Julibee Center, Mile Square Theater, Rock’n 4 Autism Awareness/ASAT, Soldiers Against Child Abuse, St. Matthews, Team Walker, The Hoboken Shelter, True Mentors Program, Wrap for a Smile, Hygiene Project, and YCS Foundation.
Contributing to the charities Party With Purpose sponsors is as easy as attending an event, sponsoring an event, donating, or volunteering.
“As America is, Hoboken is a story of change,” Delea says. “It is an American story rooted in a respect for family and understanding change.” He has watched Hoboken evolve into the city it is today and will continue to make a difference and contribute.—07030
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