NJ4NJ Helping New Jersey Businesses Impacted By Pandemic

I first met Vinnie Brunetti shortly after Superstorm Sandy through his former wrestling coach at Manalapan High School.  Denny D’Andrea had reached out to me because Townsquare Media was involved in a fundraising effort to help those impacted and devastated by the storm that ravaged the Jersey Shore. Denny said his former student wanted to help and was looking for something he could get involved in so he connected us and shortly after that Vinnie came to our office in Toms River with a personal $10,000 donation.  A friendship was born and we have stayed in touch over the years.

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So when he called me a few weeks ago to say he was working on something to help others I was not surprised.  When he asked if I could assist in spreading the word about this charitable endeavor I could not say YES fast enough.  A resident of Flemington, Brunetti is the chairman of NJ4NJ a new non-profit designed to help small businesses in New Jersey who are struggling through the pandemic.  As a business owner himself, he knows first-hand what this last year has been like for so many companies when it comes to everything from paying rent to keeping employees on the payroll. Some got help through PPP loans but that was not nearly enough and New Jersey has seen many businesses close up shop which meant thousands of job losses.

Vinnie sold his company this past summer and felt this tremendous need to do something that could help the small business community which is the heart and soul of the Jersey Shore and the entire state.  So he put up $250,000 of his own money to match 10% of every dollar raised up to $2.5 million although the hope is they can generate much more.  That money is for small businesses that are in need with all of it going to those that qualify.  For those that are familiar with the Barstool Fund created by Dave Portnoy this is similar but only for small companies that call New Jersey home.

It’s simple.  If you are a small business then might want to apply for financial assistance OR if you want to contribute to the cause then simply visit www.nj4nj.com as all the details are on their website.  Vinnie Brunetti loves New Jersey and he will do whatever he can to help ensure that small companies get the help they need so when the pandemic is over they can thrive again.