Community Corner

Hurricane Relief Project Keeps 'Jerseylicious' Crew on Best Behavior

Salons combine staff for a big event to benefit Sandy victims.

Few events in the history of New Jersey have had the impact Superstorm Sandy had, with few left unaffected—or unmoved—by the massive destruction of the storm.

For the cast of "Jerseylicious," the storm left them without power just as it did thousands in the area, and for small business owners like Gatsby Salon owner Gayle Giacomo and Anthony Roberts Salon owner Anthony Lombardi the days without any business weighed heavily.

But that wasn't enough to keep Giacomo from recruiting Lombardi and his salon's staff to help with a fundraiser for the nearby families who suffered even greater losses.

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"I want to do something to help the families," Giacomo says, as she and Lombardi begin planning the event.

She suggests offering $25 blow-outs, with funds going for hurricane relief, and she wants to offer free haircuts for anyone who suffered a greater loss in the storm. As Giacomo and Lombardi discuss ideas for the "Beauty Gives Back" event, they decide to include raffles, and a toy and clothing drive. 

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But there's a cloud.

"The only people we have to be worried about are Gigi (Liscio), Olivia (Blois-Sharpe) and Tracey (DiMarco)," Gayle says.

Lombardi tells his staff about the plans and invites them to participate—later, he tells DiMarco that "what happened at the book party can't happen here."

"We can't go on without knowing we can't get people together in a room or without killing each other," Lombardi says.

When he tells her Liscio might be there, DiMarco suggests telling Liscio not to drink.

Meanwhile, at Gatsby, Giacomo takes Liscio aside to talk to her about the upcoming event—and her behavior.

"I don't want any friction at this event," she says. "I never expected you, of all people, to act so crazy."

Everything seems set after Giacomo and daughter Christy Pereira, Gatsby Salon manager, also warn DiMarco "we can't have any of that crap here." 

The day for the events arrives, and tensions are rising as the two salons staff gather and setup. Before opening the doors, Lombardi tries to rally the crew.

"Let's just put everything behind and try to work together as best we can," he tells the group. He notes there's a lot going on at Gatsby, with raffles, silent auctions, haircuts, blow-outs. "We have to do everything we can to help others after this storm." 

The salon is packed; people come in to drop off donations and buy raffle tickets. Guests at the salon share their loses and express how appreciative they are of the event.

"Hurricane or no hurricane, I'm really thankful for what we were able to do today," Blois-Sharpe said.

It seems everything will be fine—until Jackie Bianchi tells Blois-Sharpe she can't stand around without telling Liscio how she feels. She corners Liscio in the salon kitchen and says she doens't appreciate the things said about her.

"I feel like what you did to Olivia was fake," she says.

Liscio denies ever saying anything bad about Blois-Sharpe—but before the two settle their disagreement, Pereira arrives with a box van full of donations she's collected.

After all of the haircuts, raffles, auctions and donations are totaled, Giacomo announces the event raised $7,700 for the RAINE Foundation (for "Reaching All in Need Everyday).

"I'm really happy we were able to come together and bring this off," Lombardi says.

 

 

 

 


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