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Harvesting Hope Gala Honoree Spotlight: Cheryl and Barry Kozyra
Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) is excited to host the second annual Harvesting Hope Gala at Nanina’s in the Park, 540 Mill Street in Belleville, on Wednesday, November 19 at 6 pm. This black tie optional event will bring our community together to celebrate and raise funds for the essential programs and services that NFSB provides for local residents.
We’re thrilled to recognize this year’s Harvesting Hope Gala honorees for their contributions to NFSB and the community we call home.
- Terri Kinlan. As part of her role in Facilities Operations at QTS Data Centers, Terri manages the company’s volunteer program for the Northeast region. In 2025, she expanded this initiative to support the opening of the Thrift Shop’s second location.
- The Nutley Chamber of Commerce. Our local chamber is NFSB’s link to the incredibly supportive Nutley business community, with current chamber president Joe Graziano leading efforts to cultivate deeper relationships.
- Cheryl and Barry Kozyra. Cheryl serves on the NFSB Board of Trustees and organized her own Climb for a Cause fundraiser last year with her husband Barry, a long-time supporter of NFSB.
- Mary and Brad Graves. Mary is a Past President of the NFSB Board, bringing stability and governance to the organization during a critical time of change. Mary and Brad continue to attend events and volunteer with NFSB.
Today, we spotlight Cheryl and Barry Kozyra.
Cheryl Kozyra’s family history in Nutley dates back more than 100 years. Her father had an appliance store on Franklin Avenue, and both of her parents were very active as volunteers with Nutley AmVets and UNICO.
Cheryl and her husband, Barry, have lived in Nutley for 36 years. Cheryl was a special education teacher 37 years, 27 of those in Nutley. Barry is the founder of a Livingston, New Jersey law firm and the long-time Nutley Planning Board Attorney. Both are lifetime members of the Nutley Historical Society.
To say the Kozyras have deep ties within the Nutley community would be an understatement. Cheryl and Barry have been friends of NFSB for decades, often volunteering and attending fundraisers, and they’re thrilled that their favorite event has returned.
“We were actually sad when the gala went away because we loved going every year, but seeing how it has evolved into the Harvesting Hope Gala is a good thing,” Cheryl said. “Times are changing and you need to change with the times. We were very excited when it came back, and we’re very touched that they chose us to be honored.”
“It’s very humbling,” Barry said. “I do volunteer and be as active as I can be, but Cheryl deserves most of the credit. I’m very proud of her commitment, not only as a board member, but for organizing her Climb for a Cause fundraiser last year. The work of everyone at Nutley Family Service Bureau is very moving because they all just want to help people in need.”
Grateful to Contribute to the Organization People Go to for Help
Cheryl became more deeply involved with NFSB when former board member Ken Cibelli asked her to consider joining the board in 2022.
“It was an opportunity to get more engaged, learn more about what the organization is about, and be able to contribute in a different way,” Cheryl said. “Seeing how the programs have expanded and how hard everyone works to make the organization successful is very rewarding. It’s like wheels within wheels. I’ve absolutely enjoyed being on the Board of Trustees for that reason.”
Cheryl currently serves as secretary. She has co-chaired multiple fundraising events and served on both the Program Evaluation and Planning Committee and the Development and Public Relations Committee. Her Climb for a Cause fundraiser raised nearly $15,000 for NFSB programs and services that are in such high demand in our community.
Barry continues to volunteer throughout the year and looks forward to the annual Scouting for Food Drive – not just for the thousands of food items that stock the shelves of the Food Pantry, but because it’s such a wonderful family event.
“I’ve always found that people in every capacity, from leadership to volunteers unpacking cars, have the best interest of Nutley in their hearts,” Barry said. “There’s never been a year that I haven’t been emotionally touched by families with young children coming in and proudly unloading food from their cars. We need more of these positive family experiences. Every parent who has their kids involved is showing them the value of service.”
Cheryl and Barry are honored to share the same commitment to service embodied by everyone involved with the organization.
“We’re pretty lucky in life that we haven’t had the need to turn to Nutley Family Service Bureau to give us something,” Barry said. “But we certainly have the ability to give and help others. Nutley Family Service Bureau is there for everybody and anybody who has a need. It’s not dependent on who you are, who you know, where you’re from, or what you believe. If you need help, you get it. They always come through.”
Thank You, Cheryl and Barry, for Your Support
NFSB is extremely thankful to Cheryl and Barry for their generosity and the many ways they contribute to NFSB, whether on the board, as volunteers, or as ambassadors in the Nutley community.
“Cheryl and Barry have been supporters of NFSB for many years,” said Katherine Carmichael, Executive Director of NFSB. “Cheryl literally climbed a mountain to raise money for our programs and services, and Barry is always out there promoting our organization and volunteering at events. You can tell how much they enjoy being involved with NFSB, and we’re grateful for everything they do for the families of Nutley.”
Join Us at the Harvesting Hope Gala!
2025 has been a challenging year for many in our community, including NFSB. Funds raised from the Harvesting Hope Gala will help us continue to support those in need when our services have never been more in demand. Last year’s inaugural Harvesting Hope Gala was the most successful fundraiser of 2024.
Please help us make an even bigger difference this year! To purchase tickets to the Harvesting Hope Gala on November 19 at Nanina’s in the Park and find out about sponsorship opportunities, visit the Gala page on the NFSB website and follow our social media pages for updates.
