Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union of New Jersey (BACNJ) said this week that it raised $25,000 for diabetes research and $60,000 in college scholarships at its annual golf outing on Oct. 21 at the Mercer Oaks Golf Club in West Windsor.
The event brought 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.
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. Seventeen students received scholarships in 2025.
“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.”
The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes.
Founded in 1865, the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union claims to be the oldest labor organization in North America. There are two training centers in New Jersey: Local 4 in Fairfield and Local 5 in Bordentown.
