Anthony’s Cheesecake Holds Oklahoma Benefit Friday

When Philip Byrne saw the now-famous segment on CNN of the elderly woman finding her dog in the wreckage of her home after the Oklahoma tornado, he wanted to do something to help.

As heartwarming as the reunion was, his eyes were drawn to the the rubble that filled the rest of the frame.

“You look in the background that the whole neighborhood was wiped out,” Byrne said. “I was thinking about home in Bloomfield and where you going to go?”

The co-owner of Bloomfield’s Anthony’s Cheesecakes quickly organized a fundraiser through the Washington Street restaurant where 50 percent of sales on Friday will be donated to the American Red Cross. 

The shop will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering all items on their regular menu as well as lunch specials. A social media campaign has already garnered the support of local officials, including Bloomfield Councilman Mike Venezia and Essex County Freeholder Brendan Gill.

In addition to the 50 percent of Friday sales donation, Anthony’s Cheesecake is also hosting a paypal fundraiser through the email anthony@AnthonysCheesecake.com (more information is on their Facebook page) and will be setting out a jar for small donations unconnected to sales.

“We’re giving people options for those that aren’t coming tomorrow,” Byne said.