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Harvesting Hope Gala Honoree Spotlight: Nutley Chamber of Commerce
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 the Nutley Chamber of Commerce.
When the Nutley Chamber of Commerce was established in 1953, NFSB was already 43 years old. Both organizations have been committed to improving the quality of life of Nutley families for generations.
Joe Graziano first learned about NFSB in 2013 when he joined Proponent Federal Credit Union in Nutley, where he now serves as Vice President – Continuous Improvement/Core Solutions. While Proponent has been a member of the Nutley Chamber for decades, Joe has served as president of the Chamber since 2022.
During that time, Nutley Chamber membership has grown by more than 75%, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration for more than 230 local professionals.
Partners in Community and Growth
The Nutley Chamber of Commerce hosted the recent ribbon cutting and reception to celebrate the grand opening of the second location of the NFSB Thrift Shop. NFSB also hosted the Chamber’s October Networking Luncheon at the Knights of Columbus and updated the business community on NFSB programs and upcoming initiatives.
“The purpose of the Chamber is to bring businesses together to help each other grow,” Joe said. “When I took over as President, we made it a point to support Nutley Family Service Bureau because they help the community in so many ways. They always have a representative at Chamber meetings and events, and our members feel in their heart what the organization does. That’s why they contribute money, attend events, and shop at the Thrift Shop.”
The Nutley Chamber of Commerce continues to be a trusted partner for NFSB, promoting events, services, and fundraising drives in person and through email and social media. This support has led to deeper relationships with Nutley businesses that ultimately benefit people right here at home.
“I’ve always been very community minded,” Joe said. “I’ve been a Rotarian for 38 years and served as President multiple times. I attend as many NFSB events as I can. As a guitarist who plays in bands, I especially enjoy Rock Hunger. But NFSB is so much more than feeding people and providing mental health services. When people need help, they know they can find it at Nutley Family Service Bureau. It’s very humbling to be recognized by such a wonderful organization.”
Thank You, Joe and Nutley Chamber Members, for Your Support
NFSB is grateful for the support and friendship of the Nutley Chamber of Commerce and the leadership of Joe Graziano, who has been a tireless ambassador and advocate for NFSB and the entire Nutley community.
“Chamber members always sponsor and attend our fundraising events,” said Katherine Carmichael, Executive Director of NFSB. “They help with Scouting for Food, our Thanksgiving Initiative, coat drives, and other programs, and they plan their own days of service. When local businesses encourage employees to step away from their work and volunteer at NFSB, that shows how much they truly care. We’re thankful for the support of Joe and the entire Nutley Chamber family.”
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 raised $74,000 for NFSB, making it 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.
