BACNJ Raises Over $85,000 for Diabetes Research and College Scholarships at Annual Golf Outing
$25,000 donated to the Diabetes Research Foundation and over $60,000 donated to the Joseph P. DiRenzo Memorial Scholarship Fund

Left to right: Leon Jones Jr. (Secretary Treasurer and Field Representative, BACNJ), John Capo (Director, BACNJ), Al Catalano (Northeast Regional Director, IUBAC), and Gerard Scarano (Retired Executive Vice President, IUBAC) present the donation check for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation during the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers’ annual golf outing at Mercer Oaks Golf Club.

Fairfield, NJ — Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union of New Jersey (BACNJ) proudly hosted its annual golf outing on October 21, bringing together more than 80 groups, including elected officials, union organizations, union vendors, signatory contractors, and community members for a day of friendly competition and philanthropy.

This year’s outing donated $25,000 to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF), supporting the organization’s mission to find a cure for diabetes through innovative research. Over the years, the BACNJ Golf Outing has become one of the union’s biggest events, raising a total of over $275,000 to date for DRIF.

“The generosity shown by everyone who participates in this event year after year truly reflects what our union stands for: solidarity, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference,” said John Capo, Director of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union of New Jersey. “We’re proud to support the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and its life-changing work, and we’re grateful to everyone who continues to help us grow this effort.”

The outing, which took place at the Mercer Oaks Golf Club in West Windsor, New Jersey, once again demonstrated the strong partnerships between labor, elected leaders, and the broader community as participants and sponsors came together to support a shared cause.

In addition to supporting diabetes research, the event also plays a vital role in funding the Joseph P. DiRenzo Memorial Scholarship, which provides educational opportunities for the children of BACNJ members. This year’s outing will provide over $60,000 in scholarships which will be awarded in July 2026.

Students applying for the scholarship were required to submit essays exploring the history of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, the challenges and struggles the union has faced throughout its history, and how having a parent in the trade shaped their upbringing. The following 17 students received scholarships in 2025:

• Elizabeth Heinemann, Lafayette College
• Margaret Woods, Rowan College
• Katelyn Yost, Widener College
• Madison Freda, The College of New Jersey
• Rosa Costantino, Rowan College
• Lukas Mikulenas, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Brayden Wright, St. John Fisher University
• Samantha Capo, Rutgers University
• Gabriella Romano, Ramapo College
• Xavier Brophy, Brandeis University
• Lindsay Rose Cantres, Union County College
• Emily Castro, Montclair State University
• Cole Parsons, Centenary University
• Catherine Behme, Bloomsburg University
• Jonathan Lostacco, Kutztown University
• Katarzyna Kapolka, Rutgers University
• Roxanne Canfield, Ocean County College

“The Joseph P. DiRenzo Memorial Scholarship is one of the most meaningful initiatives we support because it directly invests in our members’ families,” said Capo. “These students honor our union’s legacy through their essays, their studies, and their future careers, and we are proud to help them take the next step in their education.”

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To learn more, visit https://bacnj.com/.

About the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. DRIF is the organization of choice for those who are serious, passionate, and committed to curing diabetes. Its mission is a testament to the belief that tomorrow is not soon enough to cure those living with diabetes.