Aspiring Kindness Foundation Fourth Annual Charity Golf Outing Honors Seton Hall University Fire Victims

Aspiring Kindness Foundation, which raises money for first responders, emergency service providers and fire prevention and education programs, has announced its Fourth Annual Charity Golf Outing at the new Montclair Golf Club at Rock Spring in West Orange, NJ, on Monday, June 20. 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’s fire prevention programs.

Aspiring Kindness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public corporation, was created by childhood friends of Aaron Karol, one of three freshmen who lost their lives in the Jan. 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 annually.

During the past three years, the event has raised more than $35,000. Last year $20,000 was donated to Seton Hall’s Housing and Residence Life Department. In 2014, proceeds of $12,000 supported the University’s Health and Counseling Services, and new uniforms for South Orange Rescue Squad in 2013.

"It's incredible how each year the support grows for our foundation and this golf outing. The public’s strong support speaks volumes to Aaron Karol’s legacy, Seton Hall University, the community, and the significance of this cause," said Jason Tarantino, Aspiring Kindness executive director. "We are proud to name Seton Hall as the benefactor for the third consecutive year. This grant will be used to support a robust fire prevention campus program."

The Boland Hall fire ushered in a new era of fire safety at Seton Hall, which makes fire prevention a priority, and at colleges and universities throughout the nation.

"The Housing and Residence Life staff is grateful for the passion and commitment of Aspiring Kindness as we work to enhance our current students’ knowledge of the history of the Boland Hall fire. What is especially important is strengthening our students’ ability to make good choices about fire prevention and safety on campus and throughout their lives," said Tara Hart, director of housing and residence life. "These collaborations keep the memory of Aaron, Frank and John alive today on campus in an extraordinary way. We feel blessed to work with Aspiring Kindness."

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 Montclair Golf Club at Rock Spring is home to an 18-hole par 71 championship golf course that has hosted numerous PGA and USGA events.

Register for the golf outing

Entry fees are $225 for an individual golfer, $800 for four players, and $50 for those attending only the clubhouse dinner, which will have an open bar. There are also sponsorship opportunities that range from sponsoring a hole for $200 to sponsoring the dinner and awards for $1,000.

Golfers at the event view it as an opportunity to honor those who died and were injured in the fire while helping to improve the lives of others.

Aspiring Kindness Foundation has raised more than $100,000 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, the South Orange Rescue Squad and other organizations. The proceeds from last year’s Charity Golf Outing were donated during National Fire Prevention Week to enable the Seton Hall community, campus volunteers and area emergency service agencies to participate in a Mock Fire Emergency Exercise in progress, learn fire safety procedures and observe how emergency service agencies respond. Those participating included student volunteers, the Department of Housing and Residence Life, Public Safety, the South Orange Fire and Police departments and Rescue Squad, St. Barnabas Hospital Burn Unit, and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) volunteers.

Aspiring Kindness Foundation Vice President and alumnus Mike Merizio, M.B.A. ’11 said, "Being a part of the Aspiring Kindness Foundation is a special way for all of us to always remember our friend AK while having the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. It is truly rewarding to know that our hard work can make the lives of others better."

For more information, visit the Aspiring Kindness Foundation website or email info@aspiringkindness.org.