JAMMIN FOR JERSEY
A concert relief effort for victims of Superstorm Sandy
BY CHRIS WYMAN
Concert organizer Don Ventriglia of Blue North plays the keyboards.
Blue North performs at Jammin' for Jersey.
VERNON — About 80 community-minded area residents made their way to the Barry Lakes Clubhouse to support “Jamming for Jersey,” the local Superstorm Sandy relief effort for the Jersey Shore. Held on Sunday, Nov. 18, the Barry Lakes Lake Community Property Owners Association (LCPOA) opened their doors for the event as a way to help the communities affected by the storm.
According to Association President Scott Ghysels, “We are glad to give support to the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. We thank all for the generous support towards aiding those who’ve been hardest hit by this catastrophe.”
At the entrance to the clubhouse, tables were covered with food and clothing donations for those in need. Inside, bands volunteered their time and talents to the effort. Performers included Blue North, R.E.N.O. the Band, Dean Dobbs, Unfinished Business, and Bob Cusick.
The event was also promoted on WSUS radio in the days leading up to the benefit concert, which was the brainchild of Barry Lakes resident and Blue North keyboardist Don Ventriglia.
As a child and teenager, Ventriglia spent many happy hours at the shore and found himself to be very upset about the devastation caused by Sandy. “This started out as an idea and the music," Ventrigilia said, "but during the short time organizing this event, I realized this goes way beyond the music. It’s about brotherhood and a humanitarian effort to help other human beings in their time of need. No matter how large or small it all factors in.”
The opening act for the afternoon was R.E.N.O. the Band. According to the band’s spokesman and guitarist Tom Gomez, the afternoon’s concert was the 46th fundraising event the band has played this year. The band also brought a donation of about $100 worth of food to send to storm victims.
Sylvia Sirin and Maryann Maikisch, Newton based Red Cross members, also attended the event. They will ensure that proceeds from the event will be given to those who are in need.
Hot dogs were brought to the Barry Lakes Clubhouse by Mike Doberstein of Hot Diggity Dogs, and who usually sells his dogs from an RV parked on Route 94 in Vernon near the Rickey Farm.
A Red Cross appreciation cake was supplied as a gift from the ShopRite store Team 267 of Warwick, N.Y.
According to Ventriglia, more fundraising concerts are planned for the near future.
Concert to raise funds for Jersey Shore victims
Blue North and other bands welcome to perform to support cause
PUBLISHED NOV 14, 2012 AT 2:45 PM
Blue North
VERNON — Keyboardist and Barry Lakes resident Donald Ventriglia, who loves the Jersey shore, will host a fundraising concert to help with the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.
After contacting Barry Lakes recreation director Mary Ferreri the concert will be held at the community’s clubhouse at 76 Wawayanda Road in the Barry Lakes section of Vernon.
Billed as “Jamming for Jersey,” area bands will be performing at the venue, Nov. 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Although the promoters are hoping that more area bands and performers may want to come onboard to support the effort, at this time the “Blue North” ensemble and “Reno the Band” are scheduled to perform. Additional performers will be announced on each group’s Facebook pages.
Blue North is comprised of members Al Hreha, bass guitar; Don Ventriglia, vocals, keyboards, pedals, and effects; Dennis Scalici, vocals, lead and rhythm guitars; Ken Manista, vocals, lead and rhythm guitars; and Ben Difranco, drums and percussion.
Tickets are $20 per person, $25 per family and children 13 and under are free. The event is open to all who would like to help out those less fortunate who were affected by the storm.
People are also encouraged to donate clothing, although socks and gloves must be new. Food donations of ready to eat food only, such as tuna, peanut butter, jelly, bread, Parmalat are also welcome. Ideal food donations are items that can be eaten without requiring cooking first.
All clothing will be distributed locally in Sussex County and Vernon and the money raised will go to the Red Cross for the Jersey Shore.
Food for concert goers will be available in the clubhouse parking lot.
For more information or entertainers who would like to perform, contact Ventriglia at 973-764-2293, 973-951-0666 or DVEN9418@warwick.net.