SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Aspiring Kindness Foundation, which has raised more than $200,000 for first responders, emergency service providers and fire prevention and education programs, will hold its sixth annual Charity Golf Outing at the Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield on Monday, June 18.
Reflecting the origins of the charity that was formed in the aftermath of the Seton Hall University dormitory fire, the organization hopes to raise $25,000 to benefit the university, focusing on fire awareness and prevention. Master of ceremonies for the dinner is Seton Hall alumnus Glenn Schuck ’85, 1010 WINS news anchor, CBS New York.
Aspiring Kindness Foundation, a not-for-profit public corporation, was created by childhood friends of Aaron Karol, one of three freshmen who lost their lives in the January 2000 Boland Hall fire. Borrowing his initials in giving their philanthropic effort a name, the AK Foundation raises money as a tribute to Karol and the other young men who perished, Frank Caltabilota and John Giunta. The charity golf outing is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser.
During the past five years, the event has raised more than $80,000, including scholarships to benefit first responders in 2016 and 2017, enabling scholarships for Seton Hall students who are devoting their lives to careers as first responders.
One of those students, Zil Moda, is a junior biology major and a committed volunteer EMT with the Sayreville Emergency Squad, which responds to more than 200 calls for assistance each month. The grant has made it possible for Moda to continue her commitment as an EMT in addition to her studies. She plans on becoming a doctor and has an interest in hematology as well as radiological oncology.
She wants to “thank the Aspiring Kindness Foundation for supporting me in my academic ventures and really acknowledging the work first responders do. They are the connection between the patient and the hospital and getting proper treatment.”
Seton Hall has also received $20,000 to the university’s Housing and Residence Life Department for the first-ever Mock Fire Emergency Exercise that brought together student volunteers, the Department of Housing and Residence Life, Public Safety, the South Orange Fire and Police departments, South Orange Rescue Squad, The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Community Emergency Response Team volunteers. Earlier proceeds of $12,000 supported the university’s Health and Counseling Services, enabling students to participate in the Send Silence Packing exhibit on suicide awareness and prevention to help young people struggling in the aftermath of a tragedy, and a donation provided new uniforms for South Orange Rescue Squad in 2013.
“Our relationship with Aspiring Kindness has been a blessing, not just for me but for so many at Seton Hall. The Aspiring Kindness team has remained committed to their cause and vision. I am awestruck by the impact their work has in our community as well as communities beyond our campus,” said Tara Hart, senior director of administration, Division of University Advancement.
Through grassroots campaigns, AK Foundation has presented 18 grants totaling more than $136,000 in the six years since it began and has made donations to Saint Barnabas Burn Center, the South Orange Fire Department, the Blood Center of New Jersey, South Orange Rescue Squad and other organizations.
“Receiving support from the public for our foundation and this golf outing is especially meaningful to us and for our emergency first responders who risk their lives to make a difference at a time when they are encountering difficulty in obtaining funding due to subsiding federal and state assistance,” read a statement from AK Foundation President Jason Tarantino, Vice President Mike Merizio and secretary James Merizio.
The charity golf outing is a day-long event that includes a round of golf with cart, use of the practice facilities, breakfast, lunch and dinner, including an open bar, beer and non-alcoholic drinks in coolers throughout the course in addition to a beverage cart, an Aspiring Kindness Foundation memorabilia gift, and contests and prizes. Longest Drive and the Closest to the Pin contests are scheduled, and the awards include First Place Scramble and Second Place Scramble, among others.
The Forest Hill Field Club is located at 9 Belleville Ave. in Bloomfield. To register for the golf outing and support AK Foundation, visit www.golf.aspiringkindness.org.
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