Saker ShopRites Raises $207,000 for ALS Charity

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WILL GO TOWARDS PROVIDING GRANTS FOR PATIENTS’ PRODUCTS, SERVICES

March 19, 2014

HAZLET — Saker ShopRites presented a check for $207,000 to Joan Dancy & PALS (People with ALS) Foundation on Tuesday morning at the company’s store in the township.

This year, Saker ShopRites — which operates 29 stores throughout Central Jersey — held the fundraiser for nearly one month from Nov. 4 to Dec. 1. It marks the ninth time that the company held the fundraiser and the amount raised matches last year’s total.

“It’s a great charity, very sorely needed in our community,” said Richard Saker, president of Saker ShopRites. “If you’re diagnosed with ALS, it’s the worst news you could possibly get.”

ALS, stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and is commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the New York Yankee first baseman who was diagnosed with it. It is a progressively debilitating disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. There is no cure.

The Red Bank-based foundation helps ALS patients and their families in Monmouth and Ocean counties. It solely concentrates on the improvement of their everyday lives by providing grants for needed products and services, according to its website.

“The number of families that we can touch and the gratitude that we see back from every single one of these families, both as they’re going through it and certainly after it’s run its course, is just immeasurable,” said Sean Magovern, executive director of the foundation. “Just the feel that they’re part of a larger group, (that) they have that support, it’s amazing.”

During the fundraiser, Saker ShopRites’ cashiers asked customers to donate either $1 or $4. The company matched the $4 donations.

Anthony Panissidi: 732-643-4284; apanissidi@gannett.com