Fund chairman vows to help inner-city kids enjoy summer camp
The Ledger highlights a philanthropist with the Newark Fresh Air Fund who is determined to meet the needs of Newark kids to get away to summer camp, despite the challenges of the economy. Really great story of how innovation and creativity can overcome difficult challenges.
Angelo Genova is undaunted by the rocky economy, which has caused the price of summer camp to rise and rates of charitable donations to fall. Inner-city kids should still have the chance to go to summer camp, the chairman of the 2008 Greater Newark Fresh Air Fund said — and he’s determined to make sure they do.
On June 18, his law firm, Genova, Burns & Vernoia, will host the 22nd annual Battle of the Barristers, a softball tournament among 16 Newark-area law firms that raises money for the Fresh Air Fund.
The event, which Genova said he is organizing with colleague Douglas Solomon, is being held at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield. The championship game will be played at Riverfront Stadium in Newark. Over the past 20 years the event has raised more than $1 million for the Fresh Air Fund, pulling in $131,000 last year alone.
This year, Genova said, organizers will invite even more members of the Newark area legal and business communities to take part in the event through sponsorships and donations.
“We challenge ourselves to do better this time,” said Genova, who added his firm plans to move their office from Livingston to Newark this fall.
The Daily Newarker 