By Philip Sean Curran,Staff Writer
It will be hard to shop or eat out in Princeton today without helping victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Fifty four businesses have agreed to donate a portion of their sales to charities aiding in Sandy relief.
Local businessman Jack Morrison, who helped orchestrate the fast-moving relief drive, said the idea started two weeks ago with a staff member of his suggesting the company get involved.
He said the images of the devastation reminded him of a Hurricane Katrina-like event, as Sandy wrecked shore towns.
Mr. Morrison, president of the JM Group that owns the Witherspoon Grill and other local restaurants, said Friday that he had started contacting businesses first in the restaurant community. From there, the effort grew. And grew. And grew, to the 54 total participating in what’s called the Princeton Hurricane Sandy Relief Drive.
”Literally, everybody came together that quickly,” he said.
He said it’s up to merchants how much they donate. He said there is a list of five recommended charities that merchants can give toward: Samaritan’s Purse, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Restore Our Shore and Hurricane Sandy NJ. Relief. Merchants can pick any other charity they want to.
He said there is no target monetary goal, although this will be the first of many events to help Sandy’s victims.
”Our business community really knows how to come together to make a difference,” said Anita Fresolone, spokeswoman with Palmer Square Management.
Information is available by visiting www.jmgroupprinceton.com or www.facebook.com/princetonshurricanesandyreliefdrive.Also last week, Princeton University announced it would allow its more than 5,000 employees to take a paid week off up to five days to assist in a recognized relief effort connected to some organization like the American Red Cross and Habitat Humanity.
University spokesman Martin Mbugua said Monday that this is similar to a program the university did after Hurricane Katrina. He said university President Shirley M. Tilghman and other senior school administrators backed the idea then as they do now.
The businesses participating in today’s fundraiser include:
Agricola; Alchemist & Barrister; Blue Point Grill; Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty; Carter & Cavero; Chambers Walk Café & Catering; Cranbury Station Galleries; D’Angelo Italian Market; elements; Eno Terra; FLM Graphics; Hinkson’s; Ivy Inn; Jane; Jazam’s; La Jolie Salon & Spa; MacLean Agency; Main Street; McCaffrey’s; Mediterra.
Nassau Inn Yankee Doodle Tap Room; Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company; Olives; ONE 53; Palmer Square Management; Princeton Corkscrew; Princeton Farmer’s Market; Princeton Mattress; Princeton Merchants Association; Princeton Online; Princeton Record Exchange; Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce; Princeton Scoop; Princeton Tour Company; Princeton University Store.
Rouge; Smith’s Ace Hardware; Ten Thousand Villages Princeton; Teresa Caffe; Terra Libri; Terra Momo Bread Company; The Bank of Princeton; The Bent Spoon; The Peacock Inn; The Princeton Packet; Town Topics; Triumph Brewing Company; Whole Earth Center; Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar; Witherspoon Bread Company; Witherspoon Grill; WPST; Your Town Tube; Zoe.

