On Saturday, July 13, Kansas Chiefs tight end and Verona native, Anthony Fasano will host the 5th Annual Anthony Fasano Foundation Bocce Bash at Verona Park. This charity event benefits “Rebuilding Together: Veterans Housing.” The events, which starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m., will feature a day-long festival around the bocce tournament including vendors providing food, arts and crafts, music and a kids zone.
Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. The organization’s national initiative “Veterans Housing” was created to meet the growing needs of veterans from past and present wars. They provide home repair services for retired and active service members by increasing the home’s accessibility, enabling veterans to live independently and safely in their own homes. Rebuilding Together will be identifying a specific military veteran in New Jersey whose home was damaged by Hurricane Sandy and helping them rebuild their home.
In July 2012 the Anthony Fasano Foundation, along with dozens of volunteer workers and contractors, partnered with Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. to build four bocce courts in Verona Park, which will be the permanent home to the annual Bocce Bash.
Fasano started his Foundation to support families in need in his home state of New Jersey. For the last six years, Fasano has run an annual golf classic in New Jersey benefitting the REED Academy, a school serving children with autism. “I have always wanted to do an event that benefits military families,” says Fasano. “It was particularly difficult being out of the area during Hurricane Sandy, I felt helpless. With this year’s Bocce Bash we are able to both, help a military family and one who was affected by Sandy. I am so happy that we can accomplish this goal with support of friends and family in my hometown of Verona, NJ”
The Anthony Fasano Foundation Bocce Bash is a double elimination bocce tournament, limited to just 24 teams and is sure to sell out, so please act quickly if you’re interested in enrolling a team or becoming a sponsor. To register now, visit the foundation’s Web site.
Visitors and spectators are welcome. There will be food and beverages on site for purchase provided by local restaurants and vendors. Food and beverage for all tournament participants will be included in the team entry fee along with a T-Shirt. The Anthony Fasano Foundation is a 501(C) 3 organization. Contributions will be tax deductible as permitted by law.
Would like to play in this tournament
It’s been about the same time every year, though the 2014 date has not been announced. If you need to know soon, contact Pat Capra at Lunar Sports, [email protected]