Pat Croce's Rum Barrel to host Hurricane Sandy benefit, Key West is Jersey Strong

KEY WEST, Fla. (November 8, 2012) -- Local businesses have come out en masse to pitch in for Key West is Jersey Strong--a benefit for those affected by Hurricane Sandy in the New Jersey shore areas.

Created by four former NJ shore residents who now live in Key West, the Boardwalk-themed event will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Rum Barrel on Tuesday, November 13, with live music, dozens of raffle prizes, and a "boardwalk fare" style menu. Just follow the "Welcome to the Jersey Shore" sign up to the Quarterdeck...

Reuters photo of storm damage along the beach in Sea
Bright, NJ, from International Business Times

"It's so hard to watch from thousands of miles away as our friends and families go through this," said organizer Brooke Joensen. "Key West is such an amazing town and we're all doing what we can from afar."

All proceeds will go directly to helping the neediest families through the Toms River Police Foundation (TRPF), a NJ non-profit previously formed to aid the community.

Along with the Rum Barrel regular menu, food and drink specials include boardwalk favorites like crab cakes, cheesesteaks, pork rolls, fried Oreos and funnel cakes served up to live music from six local bands. Prizes for the 50/50 and door raffles and silent and regular auction include a helmet, football and jersey signed by the Philadelphia Eagles team as well as dozens of items from local businesses.

Performances include:

• 6:00-6:45 p.m.: The Prime Movers
• 7:00-7:45 p.m. Chris Thomas and Skipper
• 8:00-8:45 p.m. Muse Gurus
• 9:00-9:45 p.m. The Lofis
• 10:00-10:45 p.m. Caffeine Carl and Rusty Lemmon
• 11:00-11:45 p.m. Jeff Clark, Osker Deko and Tony Baltimore

"My family and I faced clean-up after Sandy, too, so we know her effects all too well," said Pat Croce, Rum Barrel owner. "Help us help those who've lost everything but the shirts on their backs, who still don't have power, especially in this weather."

Monetary donations can be made by check payable to "Toms River Police Foundation Inc." For more information on the event, visit www.keywestisjerseystrong.org or contact Rob Phillip at 732-503-9863 or Brooke Joensen at 609-309-3232.