Kathryn Lunga, CEO and Founder
Kathryn is a graduate of Montclair State University, with a BS in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. She is currently in graduate school pursuing a Master’s of Public Health degree at SNHU. She has worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry in Clinical Research for over 30 years and lives in New Providence, NJ with her husband, Arthur, and three children, Matthew, Brendan, and Cody.
Ed’s Kids was started back in 2013, and became an official Nonprofit organization back in 2015, after the devastating loss of her brother, Edward. She also lost her father back in 2006. His name was also Edward. The name, “EDstraordinary,” came to her soon after her brother’s passing one evening while thinking about both extraordinary men. She knew she had to create something with that name in their memories. This is where Edstraordinary Kids Scholarship Foundation, Inc. came to fruition.
Kathryn, along with her family, hopes the foundation continues to share their love of family and friends, their selfless acts of kindness, and their ability to make everyone in their presence feel like the most important person in the room.
Introducing some of our Ed’s Kids and Team!
Owen Sammarone
Owen was the very first winner of Ed’s Kids from New Providence High School Class of 2014
“Congratulations to the well deserved students and to you, Kathy Lunga, for your amazing scholarship foundation as well as your heart. My son, Owen Sammarone was the first recipient of Edstraordinary Kids Foundation in 2014 from New Providence HS. I know he’s planning on sending you an update since he just graduated from college. As his Mom, I thank you so much for recognizing Owen’s gift of kindness and determination. Your gift was so helpful and appreciated. I wish you continued success. Many blessings, Tricia Quidore Sammarone.”
Jordan Shinn and Shannon Curley
Shannon and Jordan were Ed’s Kids winners from Southern Regional High School Class of 2016
Anthony Capece
Anthony was Ed’s Kids winner from Cranford High School Class of 2017
“My son Anthony was a 2017 Edstraordinary
Kids Scholarship recipient. Knowing how meaningful this foundation is to the Lunga/Romaine families, as it recognizes those that exemplify kindness, service, and love in memory of their beloved husband & son, I was truly honored that Anthony was selected. Even more special was having Mrs. Romaine join Kathy to present Anthony the award. You could see how proud she was of her daughter for spearheading such a noble foundation honoring their Ed’s.
On behalf of the Capece family, we appreciate the generosity the foundation has shown, not only to Anthony, but to all of the Edstraordinary Kids! Kimberly Capece”
Cameron Hund
Cameron was Ed’s Kids winner from Arthur L. Johnson Class of 2017
Natalie DeRose and Nana Bediako
Natalie DeRose and Nana Bediako were Ed’s Kids winner from Academy For Allied Health Sciences Class of 2021
Hayden Singer
Hayden was one of three scholarship winners from New Providence High School Class of 2023
“It is truly such an honor to be the winner of such an amazing award. I feel proud to be chosen to represent New Providence High school as a student who shows selfless acts of kindness to friends, family and peers everyday. The foundation’s emphasis of sharing love between the people close in your life is a strong value of mine that I will always strive to maintain. I am determined to spread kindness to people all around me and impact our community in a way that the foundation was designed to support. Thank you again for selecting me.” ~Hayden Singer
Marcy Salerno, Board of Directors
“Honored to be affiliated with such a remarkable foundation. Ed’s Kids has grown so much and truly presents the vision that both Eds would be proud of.”
Dianne Nowicke, Board of Directors
“The Edstraordinary kids foundation embodies the giving spirit of the men it was founded for. They were great role models who believed in diversity and the importance of supporting young people to reach their potential. I am really honored to be a part of it.”
Arthur Lunga, Secretary
“Supporting the family foundation in memory of my brother-n-law and father-n-law is a great honor.”
Mark Romaine, Treasurer
“I know the work the foundation is doing is making my father and brother proud!”