The Junior Board
The Junior Board is a new group of local teens excited to participate in the growing need for connecting the HFA community. The idea came from Steven Marlin, 16 year old president of the board, after he organized the popular Pickle Ball Fundraiser this year. HFA is excited to welcome a younger generation who will contribute to our growth bringing added innovative, fundraising ideas and connecting the local communities.
Meet Our Founder
Karen M. Casolaro grew up in West Orange. She is the youngest daughter of Frank and Betty Gizzo and sister of Frank III and Kathy. It was in West Orange where she met and married her childhood sweetheart, John in 1989. She was an executive assistant to various companies including the MacArthur Petroleum & Chemical Company, St. Barnabas Medical Center, and Lorber, Nuzzi, Vichness, & Bilinkas Law Firm. In 1991, she left her career in order to raise her five children – Samantha, Johnny, Jackie and twins, Sally and Mattison. The Casolaros moved to Florham Park in 1997 where they raised their children and became actively involved with community organizations. Karen was the chairwoman of the Florham Park Municipal Alliance, Brownie Troop Leader, Class Mother and volunteered with the PTA. She has served as a Eucharistic Minister and taught CCD at Holy Family RC Church for many years.
In 2008, Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her recovery, she received overwhelming support from not only her family and friends, but from the community at large. People that she did not know arrived daily to her home with food as well as offered compassion and kindness to her and her family. She began to realize how important it was to receive support when experiencing a sudden tragedy and decided she would find a way to “give back.”
In 2010, after her long recovery, Karen launched a non-profit charity, Halos For Angels, Inc. Her mission was to take action and help families in need who were experiencing a sudden tragedy or catastrophic event with immediate assistance through to their recovery. Halos For Angels has served our community families since 2010.
Our Mission
The primary purpose of “Halos for Angels, Inc.” (HFA) is to nurture its community’s “well-being” by extending to its family members temporary relief, comfort and support when sudden tragedy “hits home.” HFA can help with day-to-day responsibilities by providing transportation services, shopping trips, child care, daily meals – whatever the need may be, until the families are stronger and back on their feet.​ For those who suffer emotionally, comforting support and companionship are extended by professionals and volunteers who are honored and most willing to help others in need. By networking with community families, organizations and volunteers, HFA is “giving back” with temporary services to families as they journey ahead to a stronger, stable environment once again!
Contact Us
Halos for Angels, Inc.
PO Box 415
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Phone: (973) 738-3883