Chris Herren: Unguarded Presentation in Wayne, NJ

He was recruited by the nation’s top colleges and played in the NBA. On May 29, 2019, Chris Herren presented his story of drug addiction entitled “Unguarded” to an audience at Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, NJ. It was so nice to see parents, both middle and high school students, grandparents, and community members in attendance.

Chris, also presented to the freshman and sophomore students of Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley high school on May 29th and 30th. His powerful story of drug addiction, struggles, and ultimate triumphant recovery was heard by over 1,000 people. Let’s keep talking to our children about the affects of taking that first drug. 

If you would like to help the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation continue to bring story’s like Herren’s to the limelight, consider donating today. Help us to further educate our youth on the dangers of drug addition.

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The Second Annual Casino Night

On Friday, May 3, 2019 the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation hosted its Second Annual Casino Night at The Cranford Social in Cranford, NJ. The event was a great success and we are so grateful for everyone who came out. More than 175 people were in attendance and we raised over $23,000! It was an incredible night, and we look forward to hosting the event every year in April/May.

A special thank you goes to our generous sponsors and the AAKF grantors who came out. The funds raised are going to sponsor motivational speaker, Chris Herren (former Boston Celtics basketball player) to speak to the high school students of Wayne Valley and Wayne Hills and a night presentation for the parents/Passaic county residents on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Chris will talk to his audiences about his past drug addiction, and his journey to recovery. A special thank you to the following sponsors and community support.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

GOLD SPONSORS

Champion Container

Colormasters, Inc.

Connect One Bank

Merck

Valley National Bank

Willis and Nancy King Foundation

SILVER SPONSORS

Marta and Matt LaRusso

BRONZE SPONSERS

Krista and Matt Aslanian

MetSpace LLC, Jenn and Brian Fitzpatrick

Michelle and Scott Hildenbrand

Morgan and John Toriello

Sinae Saraceno

Sophia and Mike Shinal

OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY

  • A & R Workshop

  • Adventure Aquarium

  • Alpha Performance

  • Altitude Trampoline Park

  • Amazing Lash

  • American Girl

  • Bar Method

  • Bentley Labs

  • Brow & Body Works

  • Club Pilates

  • Color Masters

  • Donkin Donuts of Westfield

  • Eden Nail Spa

  • Escapology

  • Farinolio

  • Feast Catering

  • Ferraro’s Restaurant

  • Frozen Ropes

  • G Lab Aesthetics

  • GCode

  • Garwood Lanes

  • Harvest Restaurant Group

  • Hilton Oasis on Rt 22

  • Home Power Yoga

  • Hudson + Bloom

  • IHG Hotel

  • IN Marketing Group

  • James Ward Mansion

  • Joanie Schwarz Photography

  • Kennedy Wood Marketing

  • La Mer

  • Lavender Sanctuary Spa

  • Life Time Athletic Fitness

  • NY Devils

  • NJ Mets

  • NY Yankees

  • On the Side

  • Orange Theory

  • R + F

  • Ricardo Roig

  • Seth Meyers

  • SLT

  • Sofi’s Color Salon

  • Sulis, The Spa at Melandre

  • Wawa Foundation

  • Westfield Alliance

  • WireSoul Decor by Sabrina

  • Scarpa

  • Waffle Waffle

  • Yeti

Not able to attend? Donate today to help support the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation.

Stephen Hill: Speak Sobriety

On December 12th, Stephen Hill presented his powerful “Speak Sobriety” presentation to Schuyler Colfax, George Washington, and Anthony Wayne Middle Schools. Hill told his journey to sobriety to the young, very engaged, middle school students.

“Thank you for sharing your story, I am very thankful that we got to have you at our school, you are an inspiration to many people and many more to come thank you so much you have changed my life for the better, thank you so much.”
— Middle School Student

This presentation was 100% funded by the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation. Check out more pictures from the presentation on Stephen Hills instagram page. And if you’re interested in helping the Foundation provide more awesome presentations and testimonials like Hill’s donate today to support our cause of educating the youth on drug abuse.


Former NBA Player Shares His Story of Addiction to Westfield

“Chris Herren’s presentation is relevant in every community...drug and alcohol use has no boundaries, sees no color and does not discriminate.”
— Louise DeDea, Westfield Municipal Alliance Coordinator
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Former NBA point guard Chris Herren struggled with addiction throughout his career, but has since recovered and is telling his story to audiences throughout the country (Tapinto.net article)

On September 25, Chris Herren shared his story of addiction at the Westfield High School Auditorium to Westfield community members both young and old. Herren’s presentation: “Rebound: An Evening with NBA Star and Youth Advocate Chris Herren” was funded by Westfield, Cranford and Clark Municipal Alliances, Westfield High School Dream Team, the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation, Westfield Board of Education, Westfield Parent-Teacher Council, WHS Parent-Teacher-Student Organization, and the Westfield Police Department.

With the funds raised from our first annual Casino Night back in April, the Foundation was able to contribute to bring Herren and his story to the Westfield area. The Foundation continues to strive for our mission to help educate the youth to live healthier lifestyles and presentations like Herren’s are a step in the right direction. Thank you to our supporters who helped make this possible.

Presenting Casino Night Check

On June 19, 2018 AAKF Executive Director, Michele Eskow had the honor of presenting a $5,000 check to the Westfield Dream Team and Westfield High School at the Board of Education meeting. Thank you to the generous donors and participants of our First Annual Casino Night back in April for making the donation possible.

The funds will be used to sponsor motivational speaker, Chris Herren (former Boston Celtics basketball player) to come share his Hoop Dreams presentation September 25 and 26th, with the high school students of Westfield, Rahway, Cranford and Clark. There will also be a night presentation for the community to attend. 

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Thank you to all the generous donors who continue to support the mission of the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation. If you wish to help make more drug prevention education possible click here to donate today!

First Annual Casino Night

On Saturday, April 14, 2018 the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation hosted its First Annual Casino Night at The Cranford Social in Cranford, NJ. The event was a great success and we are so grateful for everyone who came out to the event. More than 115 people were in attendance and we raised over $13,000! It was an incredible first annual event, and we look forward to hosting the event every year in April.

A special thank you goes to our generous sponsors and the AAKF grantors who came out. The funds raised are going to sponsor motivational speaker, Chris Herren (former Boston Celtics basketball player) to speak with high school students of Westfield, Rahway, and Clark and Cranford. In September, Herren will talk to audiences about his past drug addictions, and his journey to recovery.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Gold Sponsors

Connect One Bank

Valley National Bank

The Willis and Nancy King Foundation

Silver Sponsor

Conversant

Bronze SponsorS

Met Space, LLC

Scott and Michelle Hildenbrand

Also a big thank you to our generous community members for donating prizes for our raffle and silent auction:

Andy Greene & The NJ Devils, Angela Blankenship, Bar Method, Beth Caponegro-Rodan + Fields, Blake Scheer & the NY Yankees, Bottle King, Carl and Erin Cetera, Christina Regan, European Wax Center, Frank & Pam Tank-Bellator MMA, Greg and Lindsay Materdomini, Hudson + Bloom Design, In Marketing Group, Julie Ibrahim, Karen Eskow, Blythe and The NY Yankees, Lee Ehudin, Mike and Sophia Shinal, Morgan Toriello, Nails Spa & Beyond, Orange Theory of New Providence, Randy Carrozza, Rich Millwater -Ridge Electric, Sinae Saraceno, Voa Salon & Studio, and Water and Wine. 

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Click here to see more pictures from this event.

Drug Prevention Education: Video Presentation "Hidden in Plain Sight"

“The Westfield High School Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) recently hosted “Hidden in Plain Sight,” a presentation that centers on a mock teenager’s bedroom to help parents and caregivers learn how to spot potential signs that their child might be abusing drugs, alcohol and/or other substances. ”
— MARY ANN MCGANN, WESTFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The above was provided by tapinto.net

Drug Prevention Education: Chatham Schools Report: 152 Seriously Considered Suicide

Chatham Schools Report: 152 Seriously Considered Suicide; Class President: "Students Come to School High Every Day"

"Chatham High has been ranked the No. 1 high school in the state since 2014, according to New Jersey Monthly Magazine's bi-yearly rankings.

While the academics are top-notch, the "Critical Issues in Student Wellness" report given on Monday during the district's open curriculum meeting painted a disturbing picture in relation to the mental health of Chatham students."

- ED BARMAKIAN (TAPinto article)

The above was provided by tapinto.net