Hoboken Rotary Throws Fundraiser for Clinton Street Fire Victims

The Hoboken Rotary hosted a benefit party Thursday night for the victims of the . The party will be between 6:30pm and 8:30pm at nightclub Room 84, which will give a complimentary drink to all guests who make a nominal donation at the door.

Recently the Rotary has taken the lead in organizing relief efforts for fire victims in the city after a and a February .

Rotarian Joseph Branco, who also owns Room 84, said that funds from the Red Cross and the City of Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management paid for hotel rooms for two displaced 917 Clinton families, but only for one week. Since the families have had to wait longer before moving back into their repaired homes, the Rotary has paid over $1,100 to cover the longer hotel stays.

Most families returned to their apartments last weekend, according to one city source.

“Hopefully they will be back in this week, if not then the Rotary will keep them in the hotel,” he said.

Branco said both of the families have renters insurance to recover goods, so the money raised at the benefit will cover the costs of their displacement.

Councilman Peter Cunningham also helped organize the benefit party, and chef Anthony Pino of the restaurants and is donating food for the guests.

Those who couldn't attend the party but still want to donate can do so through the Hoboken Rotary website. The Hoboken Rotary is a regulated 501c charitable organization.