HOBOKEN AND BEYOND – Rory Chadwick decided to help organize a fundraiser for the victims of the Dec. 17 Hoboken Jackson Street fire because he said he can relate to what the victims are going through.
Chadwick, the owner of Midtown Authentic on Washington Street and the entertainer who dresses up as superhero Robin, said when he was in his 20s, he was caught in a place in his life where he didn’t know where he’d sleep at night or what tomorrow would bring.
“I felt the need, ever since I turned the corner in my life, to always try to give back,” Chadwick said in a phone interview on Friday morning. “I’ve been there, I’ve done that. Now, I see other people and by course of nature this happened to them; I wanted to do something.”
During the phone interview, Chadwick was at a bank in uptown Hoboken, where money from donation jars from across the mile square city was being counted. Joseph Branco, the owner of Room 84, the host of the fundraiser tonight, waited in his car nearby, as he was driving Chadwick around town.
All four of the displaced women have found apartments through the help of the city and officials, Chadwick said.
Tonight, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Room 84 (84 Washington St.), a silent auction and fundraiser will benefit the women who lost their homes in the fire. The four women will be in attendance at the fundraiser. Chadwick said he is amazed at the turnout from the community.
Business owners from throughout the city have donated either gift cards or other materials to be auctioned off at the fundraiser.
Others have even made direct donations directly to the victims.
“David, who owns Shear Madness at 80 Park Ave., he called me and said he wants to donate six months of free haircuts and hair coloring,” Chadwick said. “Up until June 1, these girls can get their hair done for free.”
Chadwick also said the New Jersey Devils organization donated a puck autographed by goaltender Martin Brodeur to be auctioned off. Devils and New York Knicks tickets will also be part of the silent auction.
Monetary donations will be accepted at the front door of the event on Friday night – although there is no set minimum. Guests will also receive one free drink from Room 84, and a voucher for a free ticket to a Stevens Ducks men’s basketball game, courtesy of Stevens.
For more information on the event, click HERE. – Ray Smith