Anthony Azevedo was born and raised in Newark. He attended its schools and runs his business there. It’s a city that he knows and loves, so when he got the opportunity to work with the Greater Newark Holiday Fund, the decision was easy.
“I think it was a natural fit for me,” Azevedo said. “We were looking for something to contribute to and give back to, and I always knew about the Greater Newark Holiday Fund by seeing ads in The Star-Ledger, so it was a natural fit, growing up where I grew up.”
Serving the area for more than 80 years, the Greater Newark Holiday Fund began in 1937 as a gift drive for children of Newark’s neighborhoods. Today, it helps families and individuals in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris and Bergen counties by providing funds to area service organizations.
The fund primarily raises money from November through February, but accepts donations from Feb. 1 through Jan. 31 each year. Donations are received from larger businesses as well as from individuals.
After spending several years involved in the fund, two years ago as its treasurer, Azevedo was asked to step in to serve as president for 2018.
“I’m so proud to be a part of an organization that’s heading into its 81st year. There’s a lot to be said about that, all the good the organization does is seen by the donors. Even if it’s $5 or $10, people have been donating to it their entire lives, and they see the value of it.”
Azevedo will be joined by Honorary Chairman Angelo Genova, chairman and managing partner of Genova Burns LLC.
“As someone who is closely tied to Newark, I know what wonderful work the fund does throughout the year to help those less fortunate in northern New Jersey. This is an invaluable opportunity to grow awareness around a pervasive and all too often overlooked issue in our community,” Genova said.
Azevedo, managing member with Pereira & Azevedo, LLC, a CPA firm located in Newark, and Liberty Payroll Solutions, LLC, said he has high hopes for this year’s fundraising campaign. He set a goal of $400,000, which will go toward 10 charities — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, Children’s Aid & Family Services, FAMILYConnections, Family Service Bureau of Newark, Family Service League, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest New Jersey, Newark Day Center, Nutley Family Service Bureau, Urban League and Youth Consultation Service (YCS).
In
addition, the New Jersey Devils are planning to hold an event on Dec. 1
designed to raise awareness of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund and to
raise money for the charity. During that night, the fund will receive
half the proceeds of a 50/ 50 event.
“It’s great recognition for us, they put us on the jumbotron, and it’s been great during the past few years,” Azevedo said.
Visit the Greater Newark Holiday Fund on Twitter at twitter.com/HolidayFundNJ or and Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreaterNewarkHolidayFund.
To listen to the podcasts, visit the Facebook page and selected videos.
To make a donation to the Greater Newark Holiday Fund, visit holidayfund.org.