THIRD ANNUAL ASPIRING KINDNESS CHARITY GOLF OUTING TO BE HELD MON., JUNE 22 AT ROCK SPRING CLUB IN WEST ORANGE, N.J.

Aspiring Kindness Foundation, which raises money for first responders, emergency service providers and fire safety programs, has announced its Third Annual Charity Golf Outing will be held Mon., June 22 at Rock Spring Club in West Orange, N.J. Reflecting the origins of the charity that was formed in the aftermath of the Seton Hall University dormitory fire, all proceeds from this year’s event will go to Seton Hall for 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 didn’t make it out of the fire, Frank Caltabilota and John Giunta. The charity golf outing is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser each year.

Register for the golf outing at https://golf.aspiringkindness.org/.

“It’s incredible that every year the support grows for our foundation and the golf outing. That speaks volumes to Aaron Karol’s legacy, Seton Hall University and the community as well as the importance of our cause,” said Jason Tarantino, Aspiring Kindness executive director. “We are proud to name Seton Hall as the benefactor for a second year in a row. 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 around the nation.

“The Housing & 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, but most especially to strengthen their ability to make good choices about fire prevention and safety both on campus and elsewhere,” said Tara Hart, director of housing and residence life. “Our collaborations keep the memory of Aaron, Frank and John alive today on campus in an extraordinary way, and we are 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.

Entry fees are $200 for an individual golfer, $750 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 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. Alumnus Brian Fitzpatrick ’04, who survived the Boland Hall fire but lost his suite mate Caltabilota in the tragedy, attended the event for the first time last year.

“The fire forever changed my life. Since then, I have always tried to see the positive side of things, live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment,” said Fitzpatrick. “The Aspiring Kindness Foundation is the definition of making good out of a tragic event. It is an organization that focuses its donations and efforts toward those who most helped that day. As the fourth member of my family to be a Seton Hall Pirate, I know what that day means to our alumni, and I would encourage all to get involved in this foundation. I am proud to be a part of this event.”

Aspiring Kindness Foundation has raised more than $85,000 in the five 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 to Seton Hall Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), which played a critical role in helping students deal with their grief and shock after the fire 15 years ago. CAPS used the donation, in part, to host the suicide prevention exhibit Send Silence Packing in April 2015.

“Being a part of the Aspiring Kindness Foundation has been a great way for all of us to always remember our friend AK while having the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. Knowing that our hard work can make the lives of others better is a truly rewarding feeling,” said Mike Merizio, Aspiring Kindness Foundation vice president.

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

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall, which embraces students of all religions, prepares its graduates to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has experienced record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth as well as more than a 70-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. Since 2007, Seton Hall students and alumni have been awarded 18 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors including a Rhodes Scholar. A founding member of the new Big East Conference, the Seton Hall Pirates field 14 NCAA Division I varsity sports teams.

The university’s beautiful main campus is located in suburban South Orange, New Jersey, and is only 14 miles from New York City – offering its students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The university’s nationally recognized School of Law is prominently located in downtown Newark.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.