Aspiring Kindness Foundation 11th Annual Charity Golf Outing to Benefit First Responders
at Seton Hall
Monday, April 22, 2024
By Laurie Pine
AK Foundation Charity Golf Outing Benefits Seton Hall student first responders.
The Aspiring Kindness Foundation, which has raised more than $350,000 for first responders, emergency service providers
and fire prevention and education programs, has announced its Eleventh Annual Charity
Golf Outing at the 18-hole Essex Fells Country Club, 219 Devon Road, Essex Fells, NJ, on Monday, June 17, 2024.
The charity golf outing is a day-long event that includes a round of golf with cart,
use of the practice facilities, breakfast and a barbeque lunch, non-alcoholic drinks
in coolers throughout the course in addition to a beverage cart, an Aspiring Kindness
Foundation memorabilia gift, contests, prizes and raffles. Longest Drive, Straightest
Drive and Closest to the Pin contests are scheduled, and the awards include First
Place Scramble and Second Place Scramble, among others. Non-golfers can also support
the event and attend the luncheon.
"Thanks to generous donations from a sold-out crowd at last year’s sold-out event
at the Essex Fells Golf Course, we broke all records, raising more than $30,000 to
benefit first responders at Seton Hall. This event is an important part of our Foundation,
and the tremendous support means so much to all of us and to our emergency first responders
who risk their lives to make a difference. We encourage people to register early and
join us for this inspiring fun day," said Jason Tarantino, Aspiring Kindness Foundation
president. He shared that there is no price increase this year, and those that are
not golfing are invited to attend the barbeque lunch and silent auction.
Jason Tarantino, Tara Hart, and Joe Karol, join many others to honor his son at the
2023 Golf Outing.
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 January 19, 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 as well as the injured students
and firefighters. The charity golf outing is the foundation's biggest annual fundraiser.
The day’s schedule includes registration and breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Shotgun Start
at 9:30 a.m., and the Barbeque Lunch, Awards Ceremony and a Raffle Drawing at 2:30
p.m. Entry fees remain at $300 for an individual golfer; $600 for two; $900 for three;
and $1,200 for a foursome.
"We welcome all kinds of sponsors, and appreciate the support over the years from
many corporations, foundations, universities, emergency service providers and individuals
that have contributed over the years," said Tarantino, adding that sponsorship opportunities
include: hole at $250; practice area at $400; breakfast sponsorship at $650; halfway
house at $650; beverage cart at $800; registration/bag drop at $600; lunch and awards
sponsorship at $1,200.
Reflecting on the charity’s origins, the Foundation has awarded 32 grants since it
began in 2010, totaling more than $263,000 in grants given to the local community,
emergency first responders, including Saint Barnabas Burn Center, the South Orange
Fire Department; the Blood Center of New Jersey; the South Orange Rescue Squad; and
the Aaron Karol Memorial Scholarship for Seton Hall student first responders, which
this event supports.
"Collaborating with the dedicated members of the Aspiring Kindness Foundation has
been a great joy for me since this organization was founded. The passion which Jason
and his board members bring to the philanthropic work of advancing Aaron’s memory
and the selfless dedication of first responders is amazing. Our student recipients,
who offer themselves to protect and care for others, continue to recognize and benefit
from the generosity of the AK Foundation," said Tara Hart, senior director of Administration,
Division of University Advancement, Seton Hall University.
Attendees should enjoy the storied past of visiting the Essex Fells course. It is
said that in the 1930s a golfing custom was born here on the first tee, the practice
of awarding a "mulligan" on the first hole of play. Yes, How the Mulligan Came to Be, originated at Essex Fells Country Club.
