ELIZABETH – While higher is not better on golf score cards, the numbers turned in by the friends, supporters and community partners of Community Access Unlimited (CAU) at the agency’s 18th Annual Golf Classic were well above par. The May 10 event at Suburban Golf Club raised $40,000 for CAU programs.
CAU provides supportive programs and services to people with disabilities and at-risk youth to help them live independent and fulfilled lives within the community.
At the top of the leader board of support for the event was Innovative Benefit Planning, an employee benefit planning and financial services company located in Cinnaminson, which was the outing’s reception sponsor.
“We do a good amount of work with nonprofits and we feel it is our obligation to support their causes, so it’s part of our mission to support Community Access Unlimited,” said Mark Sculpizio, the firm’s cofounder. “There is a void between government support and what people need. They fill that gap and help people become independent.”
CAU does that through an outstanding staff the agency is able to attract and retain in part with a highly attractive benefits program, according to Sid Blanchard, executive director. While most businesses and nonprofits have seen double-digit increases in health care costs last few years Innovative Benefit Planning has helped CAU enjoy moderate increases, Blanchard added.
“Most employers do not look at claims and plan as closely as they should,” said Terriann Pocida, Innovative Benefit Planning’s second cofounder. “At CAU we look at the claims data, come up with a projection and design a plan going forward. That’s how we beat trends.”
SGA Group, PC of Clark was the event’s breakfast sponsor. SGA is a CPA and consulting firm specializing in serving a large number of tax-exempt organizations, many located in Union County.
“We are happy to be part of the Community Access Unlimited team,” said Angelo Famiglietti, manager at the firm. “By supporting CAU through both our services and sponsorships such as this we help them help their members.”
Other sponsors included Woodruff Developers; TD Bank; Sovereign Bank; EKA Associates; Sopher Financial Group; James R. Guerra, Architects & Planners; and the law firm McCarter & English, LLP.
“CAU cannot function without the support of our community partners,” said Robert Griffin of the law firm Griffin Griffin & Alexander and a member of the CAU board of trustees. “We and the members we serve are very grateful they support such a wonderful cause.”
