2005 - 2014
As we begin preparations for our Tenth Golf
Outing on September 18, 2014 we want to take
some time to reflect on our original vision for our
Foundation when we began and what we have
accomplished in our first ten years. It is with
humble pride we look back at the families we
have gotten to know and assist and to be able to
see the results of our help. Some of those reflections bring a smile to your face yet others bring a
tear to your eye. We have assisted in the quality
of life for a number of toddlers and young children that have faced more pain and medical procedures than most of us endure in a lifetime.
Some of them have beaten the odds and are thriving. Sadly others have lost their battles. Families
in crisis situations had their burdens lessened
somewhat by our financial assistance.
To all of our golfers and sponsors over the last
decade we sincerely thank you. Your support had
allowed us the truly uplifting experience of giving back.
Partners, Families and Staff of
Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, LLC.
Our first outing invitation—October 2005
Dr. Diane - August 2006
In September 2004, Dr. Diane left work at Hamburg Veterinary Clinic to
pick up her infant son at daycare. On her way she was struck head-on
by a 3 time DWI driver with no license or insurance. She was pinned in
her car for 111 minutes while the rescuers worked to free her. As a result of the accident, Dr. Diane lost both legs above the knee, sustained
a broken pelvis and numerous broken bones in both arms. As late as
August of 2006 she was still undergoing numerous surgeries to try to
rebuild her arms. The reconstruction of her arms was vital to her recovery as she needs tremendous strength in her arms and upper body to
learn to walk with prosthetic legs. Although her medical insurance has
covered most of the close to $1,000,000 in bills, Dr. Diane and her husband Rich lived in a house that was not conducive to someone with her
handicaps. When she is ready to be fitted with prosthetic legs, depending on the type and quality, insurance may not cover the entire
amount. Additional expenses to care for their 2 1/2 year old son R.C.
and a lot of time off work for Rich to bring her to various doctors and
clinics, all of which insurance does not cover. Dr. Diane has vowed that
she will be walking again and go back to work as a veterinarian at
Hamburg Vet Clinic soon thereafter.
Kaitlyn - August 2006
On September 2, 2005, Kaitlyn a 10 year-old from Andover received a
liver transplant which was preformed in St. Louis, Missouri. Kaitlyn was
diagnosed at 8 weeks old with a biliary atresia, an absence of bile
ducts. After years of sickness, medication and waiting on organ transplant lists Kaitlyn finally got the call. On September 1, 2005 the Morgan’s received the call and 22 hours later Kaitlyn was getting her liver
transplant in St. Louis, Mo. The recovery process went very well, much
because of Kaitlyn’s strong will. Strong doses of anti-rejection medication and, as a result, a weak immune system made her very susceptible
to illness. A year out from her transplant Kaitlyn’s anti-rejection medication was lowered, her immune system stronger and she is the least
sick she has ever been. Kaitlyn, a vibrant young lady started cheerleading which is the first sport she has been able to participate in and has
dreams of working the red carpet as a fashion consultant for the E
Channel someday. Though Kaitlyn still makes routine visits to St. Louis
for check-ups and will need to take the anti-rejection medication for
the remainder of her life each day she gets better and stronger and
closer to a lifestyle many of us take for granted.
Brandy Lynn - August 2006
After suffering from numerous serious medical problems as an infant in
1999 Brandy was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Since then,
Brandy lost the ability to walk, sit and breathe on her own, resulting in
her being dependent on a ventilator 24 hours a day. In 2006 at age 16,
Brandy baffled her doctors and continued to amaze and inspire all who
know her. Her ever-present smile and positive outlook on life despite her
situation is a testimony to her inner strength and character. She received her education through a home tutor. The medical bills over the
years have been staggering but the most immediate need was for a custom-build wheelchair. The cost of this chair was in excess of $25,000
with the out-of –pocket from Brandy’s family being $15,000. After our contribution to the Brandy Lynn Medical Trust Fund, the family raised close to
$12,000 out of the needed $15,000. After the wheelchair is purchased, the
family’s long term goal is to continue to raise funds to purchase a van with a
lift and help to offset the never-ending medical bills.
Larry -January 2007
Larry was a six year old first grade student at the Woodland School in Morristown, New Jersey who suffered from severe hearing loss. The school district
supplied him and his teacher with a transmitter/receiver system for his use
during the school day. Once he left school, he was back into a limited hearing
world. Larry’s dad was saving as much as he could weekly to eventually get
Larry the over $2,000 hearing aid he needed. CKWCF made arrangements for
Larry to be evaluated and purchased the hearing aid for him. What a joy to
watch this little boy’s face as he heard his parents’ voices clearly for the first
time.
United Way of S.C. Sneaker Program - September 2007
CKWCF awarded funds to a Sussex County program that provides children with appropriate
sneakers when their parents are unable to do so.
Having new sneakers like their peers helps the children's morale and self esteem.
Kirsten - August 2007
Kirsten T. Education Fund: Kirsten, at age 5, witnessed her
deranged uncle shoot her father on the porch of their home. A
fund, administered by Debra Nicholson, Esq., had been established to ensure Kirsten’s higher education needs. CKWCF felt
the need to help lessen any burden on this young child as she
matures and has to deal with the tragedy she witnessed.
Snellen Children Education
Funds - October 2007
Dan Snellen passed away June 28th, 2007 after a
courageous battle with cancer. Dan left his wife
Maureen and 4 children who ranged in age from
20 mos. to 14 years old. As a single parent, Maureen will have a difficult time saving for her children’s education, which was a priority to Dan.
CKWCF donated funds for each of the children to
529 Education Plans to help Maureen with her
burden of fulfilling Dan’s wishes.
SCARC December 2007 & October 2008
Sussex County has a high population of individuals in need of assistance for rentals, clothing, and
food. CKWCF became aware of a number of developmentally disabled individuals with desperate
needs in these areas: Peg, a 54 year old woman living in Newton on rental assistance on a $65
weekly food budget with her spouse. Shirley, 64 years of age and living on rental assistance and
food stamps and in desperate need of clothing assistance. Fawn, a 40 year old single woman
waiting for rental assistance and food stamps. She was having great difficulty making her rent
payments. Art, 42 years old and making about $150 per week was having difficulty making rent
payments and living on food stamps. The CKWCF made an award to each of these individuals to
assist them with basic living needs to help improve their quality of life.
Jessica - June 2008
Jessica was a 9 year old student in Morristown, NJ who
was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001. After undergoing
treatment in December 2003, within three weeks she became paralyzed. Although in remission, Jessica is still paralyzed from her chest down. Due to her paralysis and her
inability to support herself, she developed scoliosis. While
in school, they have the ability to take her out of her
wheelchair and onto a cot with a Hoyer lift without physically lifting her. As Jessica grew, it became more difficult
for her parents, especially her Mom, to get her in and out
of bed, the bath, etc. In June 2008, CKWCF
was able to purchase a Hoyer lift with 2 slings,
at cost from Lake Surgical Supply in Denville
for Jessica and her family. Thanks to you, we
were able to assist this family.
Vince’s Family - September 2008
In 2006, Vince & Elizabeth and their four children, ranging in ages 16 to 3, were enjoying their Thanksgiving holiday in Pennsylvania. Vince fell down the steps getting badly bruised and in a lot of pain. After
several weeks of testing, what was supposed to be same day surgery, turned into 9 days in the hospital of
which 7 were in ICU, blood transfusions, etc. Vince was diagnosed with a rare cross between Lymphoma,
Leukemia & Sarcoma, and “Stage IV Dendritic Cell Sarcoma”. There are only a handful of cases of this
type in the world and Vince was the first in this country to be diagnosed with it. Needless to say their
lives changed. While Elizabeth tried to keep her family together during these difficult times, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Elizabeth received two inches of bills a day. The out of pocket medical expenses were near $500,000. With your continued support & your generous donations, we were able to
present the family with a check to help them with their day to day living expenses and to take a well deserved break from the realities of the world which at times can be cruel for a child to comprehend. As we
got to know this family we found out Elizabeth was stopping daily to put oil in her van as she drove herself and her children to NYC to visit Vince. We enlisted the assistance of Bill Curcio from Eastern Propane.
Eastern contacted Elizabeth and had her van brought to their garage where the Eastern mechanics did
the repairs at no charge to the family. Networking in Sussex County is really a wonderful thing in the results you can achieve.
Mary - January 2009
On February 1, 2009 at a Super Bowl party fund raising event
for Mary Gordon held at the Comfort Inn in Mansfield. Joseph
Reed of the Caristia, Kulsar and Wade Charitable Foundation
(CKWCF) presented Mary and her husband Al with a Check for
$3,400 to help the couple with Mary’s mounting medical bills.
Mary had been battling pancreatic cancer since being diagnosed
August 2008 and was determined to get back to a normal life.
Sadly Mary lost her battle in November 2009.
Jameson - June 2009
Jameson was born June 8, 2009, a happy,
healthy baby. He was his parents’ first
child and they were both ecstatic with
their new addition. Tragically, Jameson’s
mom became sick after coming home
with him and passed away five days after
his birth. The parents’ friends got together to start a scholarship fund for
Jameson to try to lessen one of the burdens this new single dad would face.
CKWCF stepped in to help start the fund
with a charitable award from the funds
made possible by all of you who support
our efforts. We wish Jameson and his
Dad the best.
Claudia - July 2009
Claudia was just a kindergartner at Allamuchy
Township School when she was first diagnosed
with an inoperable pontine glioma, or malignant
tumor of the brainstem. Only six years old, Claudia had to face the daunting regimen of radiology
and advanced cancer treatment. Her parents
were emotionally and financially devastated. The
family needed support from the community for
Claudia’s extensive treatment, and CKW Charitable Foundation was able to provide funds with
the help you have given us over the years. We
are sad to report Claudia passed away in November 2009. Our prayers go out to her family.
Maya—March 2010 & March 2013
March 2010
Maya was less than a year old when she was diagnosed with Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) a rare blood disease caused by excess
white blood cells that attack organs such as the
spleen, liver, bone marrow, lymph nodes and cerebral spinal fluid. After being diagnosed Maya spent
most of her young life hooked up to feeding tubes,
a catheter to inject the chemotherapy and in and
out of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
(CHOP). After weeks of chemotherapy this vibrant
courageous one year old was ready for her bone
marrow transplant, the only cure for HLH.
March 2013
Maya , age 3, returned to the Children’s Hospital in
Philadelphia for a second bone marrow transplant
in August 2012. Our Foundation stepped in for the
second time to help her parents with the overwhelming costs they were facing. Maya is doing
great and is enrolled in pre-school. Our prayers are
always with her and her parents.
Juliana - April 2011
In January 2011, Juliana had bruises on her legs which then spread to
her head, arms and feet. Blood tests and x-rays confirmed that she
had Leukemia Type AML and her bone marrow was 75% infected. She
began 12 hours of chemotherapy daily for 2 weeks along with daily
blood transfusions. A bone marrow transplant was needed and her
older brother Sebastian was a match. The transplant was successful
but sadly Juliana lost her battle with Leukemia on Feb. 4, 2012.
CKWCF is proud to have been able to assist this family in their time of
crisis and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them.
Danny - May 2010
Danny, born January 2010 with Polycystic
Kidney Disease (PKD) spent 6 weeks in the
Morristown NICU before being released to
go home. Shortly thereafter, due to a severe infection Danny ended up at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where it was
determined that Danny would need daily
peritoneal dialysis until he reached a size
and weight that a kidney transplant would
be viable which will take a minimum of one
year.
Danny underwent a successful
nephrectomy (removal of kidneys) and a
kidney transplant after a donor had been
identified. Danny, now a happy four year
old is enrolled in pre-school and enjoying all
things a kid should with his two sisters.
Dylan Flinchun Rock on Foundation - January 2012
Shortly after Dylan’s 2nd birthday he began to experience difficulty walking. He was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, underwent surgery and was expected to make a full recovery. When he did not progress an MRI showed he suffered from MLD, a degenerative
disease. The family has missed extended periods of work and made numerous trips to
CHOP as they try to cope as the disease continues to progress. As with all of our beneficiaries our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Tierney - March 2013
In June 2011, 23-year-old Tierney was in a car accident that left her with a spine broken in 16 places,
two crushed lungs, fractured hips and ribs, a fractured collarbone, a brain hemorrhage and the inability to do anything other than blink her eyes. Her
chances of recovery were small, but today miracles
are occurring on an almost daily basis for this young
woman. She can now move both arms, has occasional flickers of movement in her fingers, and experiences other small signs of hope for recovery.
Prior to her accident, she was accepted into the
Seton Hall Ph.D. program for psychology, and still
plans to carry out that acceptance when she is strong
enough to participate. Tierney was in need of a new,
smaller, more mobile wheelchair to help her achieve
her goals and our Foundation stepped in to assist
her. We wish her the best in her journey.
"Since my accident I'm realizing there are different
types of psychology that I'm interested in," Tierney
said. "I'm eager to start taking classes, because I
know that's what I want to do."
Joan - August 2013
Like many people who live in lake communities, Joan liked to
spend summer nights on her front porch. Earlier this summer, Joan
suffered third degree burns over 50 percent of her body in a fire
on her porch. Shortly before 10 p.m. on July 8, a neighbor reported
the fire at Joan’s home. The police said Joan, who often burned
citronella torches on the porch, apparently had just filled a torch
when it either spilled over or Joan accidentally ignited her clothes
while lighting it. Having been out of work for a number of years
due to back problems and not having any medical insurance her
medical expenses skyrocketed. We offered our assistance to help
Joan in her long road to recovery.
Serena - October 2013
Serena was a 27 year old mother, working towards getting her EMT certification and working for the
Blue Ridge Rescue Squad. October 17, 2013 she was driving on Route 206 and collided with a gasoline
tanker and was tragically killed. A fundraising effort was started by the members of the Blue Ridge
Squad who considered Serena to be part of their extended family. The effort was to raise funds for her
medical bills and to assist her seven year old daughter’s future needs.
Amiel - December 2013
Eleven year old Amiel died in an accident that occurred
during the family’s Christmas party in December 2013.
He was eating and choked on a cookie while with his
friends in the room next to where the adults were. By
the time Amiel’s parents reached him he was already
unconscious. The family began CPR and an ambulance
arrived shortly. He was taken to the hospital then airlifted to NYC where he was on life support until his
death. Amiel was one month into attending his new
school in Frankford Twp. when he was named student
of the month for the whole district. His Dad said he
was very proud of it. CKWCF stepped in to assist the
family during this tragic time with the medical and funeral bills.
Joey - April 2014
Joey is an adorable 3 year old boy. The doctors heard a heart murmur when he was born. After
many tests it was learned he was born with 3 holes in his heart, which are monitored right now
every 6 months. The holes eat up about 75% of his caloric intake. 1 hole has closed so he is
down to 2. The main one that is concerning the doctors is between his upper 2 chambers, and
has blood shunting through it which if his oxygen levels drop can kill him or if he is not filtered
when iv-ing him. He was always slow on hitting his milestones. When he was 1.5 and still not
talking or pointing, not making eye contact and wanted nothing to do with other children, a
developmental pediatrician was consulted. The day after he was 2 he was diagnosed with autism. The summer before he was 3 he was enrolled in CFR child care for 5 half days a week for
more social and speech interaction. August of 2013 he really became verbal. Sept 2013 he
started New Beginnings 5 full days a week. He also practices bowling and track and field with
the West Milford Special Olympics as well as soccer and other activities put on by ASCF. In addition to the medical issues and expenses the family is struggling financially due to job loss.
Without a steady source of income the family is unable to afford daily living expenses. CKWCF
assisted at a benefit organized by Bad Girls Good Deeds Inc. and hosted by Gina Costa, the
owner of Play Central Station in Sparta.
Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, LLC Sussex County
Community College Annual Scholarship
An Endowment Fund was established by CKWCF
in 2009 to award annual scholarships to two Sussex County Community College accounting majors. The Endowment was generously funded by
contributions from David Kulsar, CPA in honor of
his father and the founder of our Firm, William E.
Kulsar, CPA. Also generously contributing to the
Endowment was the Soros Charitable Foundation . To date the Foundation has awarded
$14,000 to eight students of SCCC.
We would like to recognize all of our major sponsors and tee sign sponsors over the last ten years, in
addition to all of our golfers. Without all of this support none of the work we have done would have
been possible
Major Sponsors
Tee Sign Sponsors
Tee Sign Sponsors
Accounteks.net, Inc.
Aspen Ice
Kazan International
Anchor Payroll & Benefit Solutions
Auburn Sky Landscaping
Lakeland Bank
Automotive Magic
Lenox Advisors
Carco Development
Leslie Skurla, DMD
Barbara Feinberg, Esq.
Cardiology Associates of S.C.
M. Wand LTD
Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, LLC
Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, LLC
mcaConnect, LLC
Cartridge World
Merrill Lynch
CKW Wealth Advisors, LLC
Catherine Reese
Milton Terry Associates
Current Elevator Technology
CKW Wealth Advisors, LLC
Morris, Downing & Sherred
Coldwell Banker
Net Access Corporation
Core Group USA
NJ/Brooklyn Nets
Custom Systems Corporation
Newton Memorial Hospital
D & J Cleaners
Paradigm Services, Inc.
Array Corporation
Double Twenties, Inc.
Eastern Propane
Hamburg Veterinary Clinic, Inc.
Danforth’s Trailers
Heath Village
Jan Packaging, Inc.
Davidson, Sochor, Ragsdale & Cohen
Petro-Mechanics, Inc.
John Hancock Retirement Services
Eagle Rock Fund
PNC Bank –Sparta & Garfield
Kazan International
Net Access Corporation
Elite Real Estate Brokerage
R.B. Coatings
Excellence in Exercise
RBC Wealth Management
First Hope Bank
Rufolo & Stein, LLC
Rhea Fountain
Sanico, Inc.
Frankly Golf
Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP
Robert Hartnett, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Gaydos & Marinello
Scirocco Group
SEI
Gilmore Electric
Stark Appliance
Grinnell Enterprises
Stone Barn, Inc.
Robby Robinson
Sparta Athletic Club, Inc.
Sparta Trades, Inc.
Hamburg Plumbing Supply
Hamburg Veterinary Clinic
Sussex Bank
Hammy’s Clean Ups
T. Vazquez Janitorial Service, Inc.
Highlands State Bank
Sussex County Medical Associates
The Lending Source
The Orthopedic Institute of NJ
The Other Orthodontic Company
Townsend & Associates
Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli & Hinkes
Tri-State Insurance Company
Houndstooth, LLC
Tri-States Rentals, Inc.
TM Enterprises, Inc.
IMCC
U.S. Outworkers
V.A. Spatz & Sons Construction
JPT Incorporated
United Silica Products, Inc.
Tee Sign Sponsors
J.S. Freylinghuysen & Company
AB Coaster
JB Hanauer & Company
The Woodland Group
Array Corporation
Arrow Elevator
Jan Packaging, Inc.
Joseph & Felice Kay
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice
Van Den Heuvel & Fountain, Inc.
Veres Electrical Service, Inc.
Wells Fargo Advisors
Whitaker Brothers
Willco, Inc.