Friday, October 26, 2012
Tickets are still available for HK Project's First Annual Gala on Saturday, honoring community members who make our two towns a better place to live.
The HK Project -- formerly known as the HK Community Fund -- will launch its new name and logo at the first annual HK Project Celebration on Saturday, October 27 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m at the Woman's Club in Maplewood. The non-profit organization, which serves the communities of Maplewood and South Orange, will honor five local residents who make a difference: Guests can dance to the music of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, and Tori Erstwhile & The Montys. Laura Nichols, local caterer and owner of Blue Plate Special in South Orange, will provide the food. Drinks will include wine, beer -- and a special HK Project Cocktail. "It will be a fun event for all," said executive director Amy Jo Curran. Acting with Emily's Emilly Bauer …
Monday, October 1, 2012
The non-profit changes its name, sharpens its focus on community engagement.
The Maplewood and South Orange non-profit formerly known as the HK Community Fund has officially changed its name to the HK Project (HKP), effective today, October 1. The organization was founded in 2009 by Maplewood resident Thomas E. Kerns to encourage residents to become involved in their community through a wide variety of projects and opportunities. "When you love your community you have a sense of belonging," said HKP executive director Amy Jo Curran. She explained that the name change reflects that the organization is "a working project and we are continually growing." According to its new official mission statement, HK Project provides a framework for public service, charity, education, and arts and cultural enrichment for the …
Thursday, August 16, 2012
After a pool accident leaves a young man paralyzed, organizations lead fundraising drives.
Eric Burbank, director of Maplewood's Department of Public Works, is responsible for everything related to the town's infrastructure, including maintaining roads, sidewalks, parks and trees and overseeing garbage collection, snow removal and recycling. When Burbank was appointed director in 2009 after working his way through the ranks, then-Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta called him "the best public servant I've ever run into." Earlier this summer, Burbank's 18-year-old son Ryan broke his C5 vertebrae in a pool accident, paralyzing him from the chest down. Now, two local non-profit organizations, the South Orange Elks and HK Community Fund, are coordinating fundraising efforts to assist the Burbank family. To prepare for Ryan's transition …
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The 12-year-old Maplewood boy fought a brave battle against a rare cancer.
On Tuesday morning, 12-year-old Kohl Angelo -- Maplewood Middle School student, soccer player, brother to Austin and Branden, son to Kelly and Peter -- passed away after a long battle with cancer, according to a representative from the HK Community Fund. Kohl was diagnosed last winter with a rare brain tumor, D.I.P.G. or Diffuse Intrinsic Pons Glioma. He had been receiving treatment at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN and more recently, at NYU Cancer Institute. The Maplewood and South Orange communities rallied around the Angelo family, hosting Kick it Kohl fundraisers, art auctions, bakesales and other events. The HK Community Fund coordinated a donation initiative and matched contributions. Tom Kerns of the HK Community …
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
HK Community Fund is offering a summer workshop for just $25 for low-income students from Maplewood and South Orange.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012
While some students wile away their summer vacations, others can prepare for this fall's SAT test with the help of the local HK Community Fund. The fund is a non-profit organization that serves the communities of Maplewood and South Orange, and pays for several community outreach programs, among them are scholarships and the SAT workshop. The cost of the workshop is $25 (scholarships are available) for high school juniors and seniors who live in South Orange or Maplewood. The students do not have to attend Columbia High School, but must otherwise be eligible to participate in the school district’s Free and Reduced Lunch program. In addition, this will be a six-week program and the student must commit to making every effort to complete it…
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sandy Rustin of "Rated P" fame was inspired by Cheryl Galante's plight. The result: a 3-minute play.
Sandy Rustin has been inspired by a lot throughout her life in Maplewood. Notably, her sojourn as a suburban wife and mother led her to team up with musician and lyricist team Dan Lipton and David Rossmer to write a little sketch comedy musical about parenting called "Rated P for Parenthood." The show debuted at SOPAC last year, and more recently, garnered a glittering review in the New York Times when it opened off-Broadway. Althought it closed April 8, producers told Playbill.com that "presenters around the country have expressed interest in a regional life for the work." Meanwhile, Rustin has found other aspects of life in Maplewood inspiring. The plight of Cheryl Galante, a local mom who recently suffered debilitating injuries in a car…
Friday, June 8, 2012
Maplewood women are spearheading fundraising effort for accident victim Cheryl Galante.
A group of residents will host a multi-family Charity Yard Sale on Sunday, June 10 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 95 Tuscan Road in Maplewood. All proceeds from the sale will be given to HK Community Fund for Cheryl Galante, a Maplewood single mother who was seriously injured in a car accident on May 21. HK Community Fund, which is coordinating overall donations for Cheryl Galante, will be matching the funds. There will be lots of toys, kids' shoes, girls and boys clothes, kitchen items, maternity wear, infant gates, female clothes, household decor and more. Galante sustained very serious injuries including a broken neck, requiring her to wear a halo neck brace for the next four months. A freelance consultant with three children and no health …
Monday, June 4, 2012
The HK Community Fund is asking the residents of Maplewood and South Orange to aid Cheryl Galante, a single mother of 3 children.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
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Monday, June 4, 2012
The following letter was sent to Patch by Tom Kerns of the HK Community Fund. With the consent of the intended beneficiary, Kerns asked us to post it on Patch: Dear Neighbors, We have another community family in need of our help. Cheryl Galante is the single mother of 3 children. She has been working hard as a freelance consultant in these tough times to earn enough income to feed her kids, pay her bills and keep her home. It's been a struggle but she was making it happen, sometimes with smoke and mirrors, but she was surviving. However, on the very rainy evening of May 21 that all changed. Cheryl was involved in a very serious car accident on Route 78 and sustained very serious injuries that include a broken neck and a broken hand. …
Josiah_Dishmey
9:50 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Long Live Kohl RIP even i talk to him for a while he was a great guy a great heart. He was a talented soccer player along with his brothers Branden & Austin. Kohl was a very bright kid and i know that he is in a better place with the man that I call Jesus ,God ,My Lord. If Kohl was on lived long enough he would've been a great husband. And have a wonderful life. Long Live Kohl and his Spirit on … more ›