Scojo’s to hold restaurant benefit for owner’s sister

This is the season for giving, especially to those who need it most.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, Scojo’s Restaurant will donate 100 percent of its breakfast, lunch and dinner proceeds from both Surf City and Tuckerton locations to restaurant manager Dawn Russo, who was diagnosed in October with acute lymphomoblastic leukemia.

“We were all in shock. I don’t think any of us expected that,” said Scott Russo, co-owner of Scojo’s and also Dawn’s brother.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Scojo's Restaurant in Surf City plans
to donate 100 percent of its proceeds
on December 7 to manager Dawn Russo.

Like the rest of the Russo family, Scott wants to help his sister emotionally and financially during this difficult time. Not wanting to ask people for money, he reached out to David Caldarella, a local resident and founder of David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, for ideas on how to help.

“David kind of got the ideas rolling because that’s what he does,” said Scott.

After recovering from a head and neck cancer diagnosis in 2010, Caldarella formed the nonprofit organization to assist families dealing with the financial burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis. The organization has helped more than 170 families to date.

Although the foundation has completed all of its fundraising events for the year, David’s Dream and Believe has committed to supporting several benefits during the next few weeks for local individuals battling cancer. One hundred percent of the donations the foundation receives for Dawn will go directly to her fund.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Scojo's customers make donations for
Dawn Russo, whose battling leukemia.

“Anything that we can do, I’m always ready to help. That’s for sure,” said Caldarella. “Dawn’s case really hits home because our family has been to Scojo’s hundreds of times and knows Dawn and Scott. It’s important for me to help as much as I can.”

Although the families have known each other for many years, Scott said he never expected he would need the foundation’s help.

“I didn’t realize I’d be dealing with David, but it’s a good thing I am,” he stated.

The restaurants will be open for business from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Face painting and balloon making provided by the Tuckerton Seaport will be available at the Tuckerton location, at 120 West Main St. The Seaport is also holding its annual Christkindlmarkt from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. that same day.

“It kind of makes it a festive day at that point,” said Scott.

Members of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish choir will provide musical entertainment throughout the day at the Surf City location, at 307 North Long Beach Blvd., and Dave Sodano will offer Frank Sinatra tunes from 5 to 8 p.m. Santa Claus will also pay a visit to the restaurant between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On that same day, David’s Dream and Believe will participate in the annual Ship Bottom parade for the first time. The parade takes its course along Long Beach Boulevard from Fifth Street to 25th Street starting at 1 p.m.

“It makes sense for us to be involved in the parade this year. It fits with our mission saving lives and everything that we do,” said Caldarella. “It’s coming full circle in the community.”

A zumbathon hosted at the Barnegat Recreation Center will be held in conjunction with the ALL for Dawn fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. for a $10 donation. Additional classes will be held on Dec. 2 and 5 at 9 a.m., each for a $2 donation. The classes will be led by freelance instructor Theresa Brown. For more information, call 848-448-5866.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.