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Jersey Rock Bands Event Will Benefit Hurricane Sandy Aid Efforts

The 'Unite 2 Revive' fundraiser will feature seven NJ bands at Jersey's Sports Bar in Neptune on Sunday, Nov. 18

A day-long event featuring food, drink and popular New Jersey rock bands on Sunday will raise funds for Red Cross efforts to meet the needs of those victimized by Hurricane Sandy. 

The "Unite 2 Revive" will be held at Jersey’s Sports Bar, located at 116 Third Ave. in Neptune, from noon to 7 p.m. The fundraising event is being presented by Stars that Shine Entertainment, LLC, TOURPAX, and Synergy Event Planners.

The restaurant will be serving food and drink specials during the event and sponsors include Patch sites throughout New Jersey.

Guests are welcome to attend throughout the day to enjoy music from local bands including: The Eddie Testa Band, Guy Smiley, Rome, Undercover, Kindred, Marc Ribler & friends and Nobs Overdrive.

Special guests will also be on hand, including Vincent Pastore of "Sopranos" fame and daytime Emmy winner and film actor, Tom Pelphrey. 

There is a minimum $20 per person donation at the door. All of the proceeds raised will be donated directly to the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross for the immediate needs of the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Tickets may be purchased online at unite2revive.eventbrite.com.

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities are being invited to contact Sandra Marafioti at Service@tourpax.com or (732) 859-9987.

Additional information can be obtained by emailing John Bruzzese at @synergyeventplanners.cominfo@synergyeventplanners.com or Deirdre Lopian at Deirdre.Lopian@gmail.com.

Michael Brancato November 14, 2012 at 02:04 pm
Debra,
The Red Cross is the best charity you can give to. They help people without regard to nationality, color, or religious affiliation. If you have a problem with how much the CEO of the Red Cross makes, I would ask you what you think happens to the money you donate to your church, mosque, or synagogue? How much goes to the Vatican or other international fund promoting your religion? How much goes into purchasing bibles for victims and sending people to proselytize them instead of food, clothing, or medicine? The Red Cross may have some overhead and bureaucracy, but at least they actually provide things that help people, ALL people.
Dorothy Perretti November 14, 2012 at 02:17 pm
Salvation Army provides canteens, homeless shelters, food, clothing, utility assistance, after school care for the children. The return on your donation dollar is about 90 per cent. They are do not care who they serve. They are an excellent source in how to help people during this disaster. Their head executive does not make a salary andwhere close to what Red Cross does. During WW2 my dad was a soldier and had to pay the Red Cross for his coffee and donut that they gave to him during the War. He will never donate to the Red Cross because of that and the salary of their CEO. You decide for yourself based on the facts as to who you would like to donate to.
.
debra November 14, 2012 at 02:41 pm
Michael,
I do not donate to anyone,i go out and volunteer and ask for nothing,im pretty sure that about .39 cents of every dollar raised goes to help those in need.about 117,000.00million has been raised,do the math and find out how much the orginization is actually going to take in for themselves. and most of the people out there doing paperwork and stuff are red cross volunteers,they get nothing..
TastyCakes November 14, 2012 at 03:00 pm
Instead of saying that you're "pretty sure" how donations to the Red Cross are allocated, why don't you research it for yourself? Took me 2 minutes. The CEO actually makes $501,122 a year, not the over a million you ignorantly claim. If people would actually find out for themselves what the truth is, perhaps they would not continue to pass false information that causes problems. I find it ironic that you are telling others to find out about how much an organization uses for themselves, when you clearly have not done that.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277
debra November 14, 2012 at 03:27 pm
total compensation is over 1 million a year,vacations,travel pay,health insurance it all equals over 1 million.. the point is what are they doing with the money? so many people i know have been displaced since this storm,they have not seen a fema truck car or anything in their neighborhoods,with no power,no phones no internet how are they to apply for this? yes they got a ride to apply for fema assistance and to this day they are still living in a shell of a home. they are forgotten,it is sickening,.
TastyCakes November 14, 2012 at 03:50 pm
Where do you get your information from? You actually wrote "1 million in salary a year plus all expenses". I pointed out the salary you stated was wrong, so now you change what you stated. Show me where the travel pay, health insurance, and vacation figures are listed (that you claim would equal another $500,000.00). Now you say people you know have no phone or internet to apply for FEMA, but got a ride to apply for FEMA. So did they apply or not? The Red Cross and FEMA are completely different organizations and fulfill different needs. What specific kind of help are you looking for for the "so many people that you know?"
Forker November 14, 2012 at 04:08 pm
If someone is forgotten right now, isn't that FEMA's job to help? They and not the Red Cross are the government. I thought the government knew what it was doing.
Since we are talking about pay of not for profits, how about the $500k the NJEA boss gets? How is that helping children?
Billabong November 14, 2012 at 04:09 pm
As someone who has reported on the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross for nearly 20 years, I can tell you a few things: 1) The salary of the head of the ARC pales in comparison to the salaries of the CEOs of top for-profit organizations. 2) The ARC's total revenue in 2011 was approximately $3.45 billion. If you think $1 million to too high a salary for someone who heads such a large organization, look to more of the smaller, local-based nonprofits (Monmouth-Ocean Food Bank for example). 3) Local ARC volunteers are some of the best in the business. Sure, thee's been some nutty stuff going on at the top in the past (Mark Everson stepping down shortly after he was hired due to a relationship with a staffer and the late Bernadine Healy's battles with the board that forced her ouster) but it's a good solid organization.
Billabong November 14, 2012 at 04:17 pm
TastyCakes is correct. If you ever need a place to go to research nonprofits' financial information, try GuideStar.org. Look into tax form 990s. Those 990s will show you that the compensation is closer to $500,000 than $1 million.
~Barb~ November 14, 2012 at 05:21 pm
Michael, before you go bashing religions please educate yourself. In my church only $45 per person per year goes to the national organization. We also feed thousands of homeless people every year. If you don't feel comfortable donating to the Red Cross there are plenty of other organizations out there with a favorable rating:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1451
L M November 14, 2012 at 06:59 pm
Maybe someone should ask the Red Cross to make a comment and help clear the air on all this
Nantz November 14, 2012 at 07:18 pm
Again, I must ask if there will be public restrooms available during the show? I have a bad case of IBS and need to be close to a bathroom at all times. I am a big fan of Guy Smiley and hopefully will be able to see him at the show!
Forker November 14, 2012 at 08:20 pm
Doesn't bonjovi avoid paying his fair share of taxes due to farmland assessments? Why if he supports Obama would he use tax loopholes - legal mind you - to avoid paying his fair share when he can most certainly afford it.
While do they always preach instead of doing?
Reality Checker November 14, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Well after 9 days of hotel bills and eating out for 11 days during the power outage I realized one thing. If you are not on government assistance you are not going to get anything from Red Cross or FEMA. When it comes to charity I prefer to give direct to a specific animal shelter or specific family or person in need that way the money goes to exactly where I intended it to go and all 100% of the funds. While it will be a tough month and I didn't have a two week stay-cation in my budget I truly believe a lot of these charities are horrible at redirecting funds and only paying a minority of the money to those in need. The good thing about America is you can give how you want -- this is just how we donate and see the charity system.
Sal November 15, 2012 at 02:05 am
I think everyone's missing the point these local musicians are doing this out of the goodness of there hearts and there love for New Jersey to hopefully make a little bit of a difference and give what they can .
Where is everyone's compassion ? I try really hard not to loose my faith in humanity but its just like some people to turn a positive into a negative ! Rock on guys you are all an inspiration and thank you
Susan P November 15, 2012 at 05:02 pm
The Red Cross charged soldiers during WWII for doughnuts and coffee pursuant to a directive from the Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson, because other Allied countries did not have the ability to provide items free of charge to soldiers in their own canteens. Secretary Stimson was concerned about morale issues arising from the disparity and asked the American Red Cross to begin charging soldiers for these items. See article at the following link: https://crossnet.redcross.org/every/history/wwii_coffee_doughnuts_faq.pdf
It helps to be informed before you criticize those who are trying, and mostly succeeding, in helping others.
suz November 15, 2012 at 05:19 pm
My feeling exactly...sorry to all you who look thru rose colored glasses, but I, for one, do not trust where my donation is headed! Come on...we saw looting right after the storm. There are many out there without a conscious. Oh, just for the record, I have contributed where I personally handled the $'s, etc.
Shep Proudfoot November 15, 2012 at 05:25 pm
http://www.rgj.com/article/20120604/NEWS20/306040030/Does-Red-Cross-CEO-get-exorbitant-pay-
Nonnie November 15, 2012 at 09:01 pm
I feel exactly the same way. I donate locally as well.
Hope Ferall November 15, 2012 at 10:21 pm
The event is being put on by local businesses who have the interest of their community at heart. I agree with Sal, where is everybody's compassion? The event itself isn't a rip-off, I'm paying $20 to see Eddie Testa, Undercover, Kindred and hang out with my friends for a good cause. I'm excited!
Hope Ferall November 15, 2012 at 10:30 pm
I like the way you are thinking Sal! I'm with you! It is a day of good bands, good beer and good friends. After these last few weeks I need a day out to relax and have fun!! So do some of the people in this comment section :) We ALL need this, I am sad everytime I turn on the TV, the company I work for is trying to recover from days lost due to the power outage. Everyone around me is stressed, I'm stressed. For me this is a day of music, drinks and friends. It is only costing me $20! (So far, I didn't get my bar tab yet :)
Ralebird November 15, 2012 at 11:28 pm
There you go again, ruining a good whine with those pesky facts - and to think someone out there has not only carried a grudge for over fifty years but passed it down to his heirs
JB November 15, 2012 at 11:38 pm
I am not sure why the negative comments, i myself have volunteered for the red cross in the past and i believe is a great organization and provides help to those in need. Like Sal says this event has nothing to do with how much the CEO makes a year but with the good intentions of these musicians that are giving their time to this good cause. If you do not want to assist then dont but stop spreading around your venem. To each its own, however you believe you should donate then do so without critisizing.
Lisa November 16, 2012 at 12:27 am
I live in hard hit Forked River Beach. Red Cross vans have been through here quite a bit offering hot meals and assistance. Not saying where to donate money. For myself, unfortunately, my money needs to be used to recover from the storm. But I want to clear up the idea that no Red Cross vans or trucks have been seen. Here, at least, there are a lot of them.
Mark W November 16, 2012 at 01:41 am
Dorothy you are correct, my Dad told we the same story when he was alive.The Red Cross made the soldiers pay for their donuts and coffee during World War II.My Dad always gave to charity but refused to give to the Red Cross because of this. I will continue to follow in his footsteps by not giving to the Red Cross but giving to other charities.
Kelly November 16, 2012 at 03:47 am
Wow, I remember that my father told me the same story about the Red Cross selling the hot coffee and the Salvation Army giving it for free to the returning soldiers.
Lois M Wilson Nicora November 16, 2012 at 12:35 pm
I totally agree with you Dorothy. Our local firemen were charged by Red Cross for coffee at a huge fire. While The Salvation Army gave it free.
Ric November 16, 2012 at 02:16 pm
@debra. One of the weekend news shows did a story on the Red Cross. It showed the Red Cross helping a few victims but also showed how the Red Cross almost completely shunned Toms River and much of Staten Island. Many of those interviewed echoed how the Red Cross was not helping them.
Jessica November 16, 2012 at 03:21 pm
There really is no need for debate over charity. If you feel that you want to go to this even then go, if you want to donate to a locate charity then do so. Charity is not mandatory. It's about doing what your heart believes is right. You all know in your heart and minds what is the right thing to do, so do it. The only wrong thing to do is act superior to people who lost so much.
Jon November 17, 2012 at 12:12 am
i would use any charity that goes direct over the red cross

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Rob Goldstein June 14, 2013 at 02:53 pm
Karen Egert, were you opposed to the DARE program that was in effect a few years ago? The DARERead More officer (whether it was a uniformed officer or detective) always carried his or her duty firearm in the school and was at each school on a weekly basis.
karen egert June 14, 2013 at 03:01 pm
Apparently Mr. Common Sense you were not at the Board meeting because if you were you would knowRead More that it was clearly outlined that all decisions and reporting of this police officer will be from the police department -- not the school. So are you saying that Lucy Biegler is now the new spokeswoman ? You said she is calling out the position for what it REALLY is ? The discrepancy in outlined roles and the vagueness of this position is reason enough to question it. Ofcourse you have an opinion , but because our children will be directly affected I think our concerns should be heavily weighed . .
karen egert June 14, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Rob -- to answer your question , I was never crazy about the DARE program and yes , I was disturbedRead More that the officer carrying a gun in school . I didn't like it . So I am being consistent. I was new to the school at the time .
Charles Sullivan June 12, 2013 at 05:28 pm
Maddy, Thank you for your comment and I agree that's a lot of money. I just wanted to let you knowRead More that I wanted to give the board some options to consider in case they felt the need to hire a hybrid public safety officer with experience in security operations. Does the town need one, maybe. Can the WPD do more in regards to daily school security, yes I think so but they don't have to assign a cop they already have on the books for this activity. Thank you again for time.
New perspective June 13, 2013 at 02:45 pm
Mr. Sullivan - thank you for your lengthy explanation and detail. I think one of the statements youRead More made should speak volumes to all "Resource officers are proactive, and they can stop something before it starts, Police Officers are re-active and they respond to locations to enforce the law." Do we really want an armed officer in the school who MAY react to let's say someone who has a watergun but the police officer *thinks* it is a real gun at first quick glance? This happens everyday thoughout this country all by accident. Do we really need WHS to be another statistic? Here's another question....why just have an SRO at the High School? Aren't the middle school aged children MORE prone to peer pressure and stress that can cause them to want to harm others as a reaction? In my Non-Professional opinion, middle school aged kids are more of a danger than High School kids.
John Q. Public June 14, 2013 at 11:17 am
Mr. Sullivan, I believe I read that the SRO position had been eliminated for budgetary reasons inRead More the past but that doesn't really address the first issue I mentioned, nor does your comment about having external foot patrols. (As an aside, I believe the crossing guard in the morning at the corner where the auditorium is is a regular sworn police officer). In addition, I see the presence or lack of such external patrols and the lack of coverage if a single SRO has a sick day as logistical issues that can be worked out as opposed to legitimate objections. I don't really see these as evidence going against the SRO concept.
concerned citizen June 11, 2013 at 08:03 pm
Egert is just against guns, that's it. Everything has to fit into this, her small world, and sheRead More tries hard to make it fit, squeezes it, bends it and massages it. She gets help from the elitist billionaire Nanny Bloomberg for the talking points, but he has none regarding this specific topic, so she flounders.
john June 11, 2013 at 10:28 pm
Karen, karen, karen. it is to easy. never mind.
karen egert June 15, 2013 at 10:28 pm
GGG - I have nothing against the Westfield police . On the contrary, on the few occasions I hadRead More interactions with any of them., they were all professional , courteous and very helpful . I am grateful for our Westfield police . I believe that the wonderful job they do as trained police officers is spectacular . I just disagree with the use of a police officer that has only been trained in the duties of an SRO for 7 to 10 days to be the ones counseling our children. . But please don't say I'm against police officers . That's inaccurate and unfair .
karen egert June 11, 2013 at 01:38 am
Thank you Matt for working to represent the third ward . If elected I hope you will work to moveRead More the traffic light on Central Ave that is literally on a resident's driveway . It also flashes as soon as it turns red . As my street is one block from there , I often see residents walking across the crosswalk while the lights are flashing . It doesn't make sense and it's dangerous . Putting that light there is also a terrible thing to do to that resident in our Third Ward . It's wrong and we need it moved .