As the year of 2022 comes to a close, these local organizations, companies, and figures extend a hand—and open their hearts—for a good cause.
Blue Point Grill
Blue Point Grill raised $10,000 for Princeton YWCA’s Breast Cancer Resource Center.
JM Group
JM Group raised $13,000 for Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to help combat food insecurity.
Christine’s Hope for Kids
Northwestern Mutual financial representative John Gianacaci was recently announced as one of the company’s 2022 Community Service Award winners. As a part of this award, John donated $15,000 to Christine’s Hope for Kids. The funds will support educational, sports and art programs for underprivileged children.
Christine’s Hope for Kids (CHFK) was created in memory of John’s daughter Christine who passed away during the 2010 Haiti earthquake while on a mission trip helping children in need. CHFK represents her mission to help less fortunate children and spread kindness and compassion.
jaZams Book and Toy Store and the Princeton Public Library
The owners of jaZams Book and Toy Store on Palmer Square presented Princeton Public Library staff with a check for $8,829.97, representing a portion of the proceeds from book sales at the October 8 Princeton Children’s Book Festival. The money will support materials, programs and services for young people at the library.
Sukkah Village
Sukkah Village — a 10-day event held in Princeton in September, 2021, to raise awareness of homelessness, hunger, and refugeeism, and the power of design to make a difference — has culminated in funds raised being presented to nonprofit participants.
The more than $20,000 raised was presented by organizers Joshua Zinder and Mark Merkovitz, president of Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, to leaders of recipient groups Arts Council of Princeton, Witherspoon-Jackson Historic & Cultural Society, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, TJC Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee, and many others.
