The Alternative Press

BYRAM TOWNSHIP, NJ - SALT Gastropub opened its doors at 4pm on Monday to host a fundraiser to assist Jacci Fry, a local woman who was injured in the July 20 Colorado movie theater shooting.  

Though she and her mother are still in Colorado, friends and neighbors poured through the doors to assist her through her recovery and subsequent absence from work. SALT owner Bradley Boyle explained how the evening came about. 

“Ever since Laurie [Boyle's wife] and I got this place, we wanted it to be a part of the community," Boyle said. "We see our restaurant as just an extension of the neighborhood. When this happened, we knew we had to do something. The Fry’s are one of our neighbors. This was a no brainer. We wanted to provide a place where people could get together and talk about it.”

“This is one of the reasons that I love living in Byram Township, we always take care of our own,” explained neighbor Rosemary Smith. “I lost my husband to cancer nine years ago, it was pretty fast.  Everyone came together, it’s always like that.” 

Jacci, age 23, is one of three daughters in the family. She graduated from Dover Business College where she studied to become a patient care technician. Last February, she accepted an invitation from a friend to relocate to the Denver area. 

The night of the attack, she and six of her co-workers from Red Robin Restaurant went to celebrate the birthday of co-worker Alec Sullivan. Sullivan was fatally injured during the attack.  

"She was in the theater the entire time. She couldn’t get out because her legs were taken out. Her friend, Molly wasn’t hurt. Molly threw herself on top of my daughter’s body. There are some amazing stories to come out of this,” said Cliff Fry, Jacci’s father. 

Jacci and her parents attended the services for Sullivan, despite her wheelchair.

Fry does not hold any grudges. 

“I don’t hate him,” he said. “I was able to hug my daughter, that’s all I care about.  When you hear shrapnel, you don’t know what to expect.” 

Jacci's parents, Joanne and Cliff Fry flew out the same night as the attack, on free tickets offered by United Airlines, for families of the victims. 

They counted 37 wounds on her body, mostly on her legs.  

"I can’t say enough about the people at the hospital, they were so kind," Fry said. "The worst injury was the one that hit her in the mouth and broke her teeth.”  

Since Jacci had no dental insurance, the hospital did not charge her for the dental work they performed.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response,” said Laurie Boyle, owner.  “We’ve had to extend it to Tuesday as well.”  The restaurant received over 150 reservations for Monday, and another 75 for Tuesday.

Nick Cutrone was on hand to run a silent auction. 

“We all live on the same block. Our neighborhood, Forest Lakes, is a close-knit community, about 400 some odd families," Cutrone said. "Everyone really looks out for each other. People look out for each others’ children.  If you don’t know the family, you know of them.”  

Nearly 30 items were donated for the auction. “Chopped” host Ted Allen donated a signed copy of his cookbook, Andre and Tracey deWaal donated dinner for two at Andre’s in Newton, and ShopRite Liquors donated a “Shiner Bock” neon sign. House musician, Briz, donated an evening of music for the winner in their own home.

“We realize everything she had to go through, and will continue to go through,” said Boyle, “We decided to open the doors and let people give what they want to give.”  

Cutrone explained, “The restaurant itself is donating its net proceeds, all employees are working for free for both nights, and donating their tips.  Vendors donated supplies and made sure all deliveries were on time, since Monday evenings are usually not this busy.” 

State Shuttle, Inc. was on hand to help out as well. 

“The parking lot could not handle all the cars. They’re driving people back and forth from the ShopRite parking lot to the restaurant for the entire evening, free of charge," Cutrone continued.

Family friend Diane Concannon is the Chief Communications Officer of the Red Cross, North Jersey Region. 

“There are a lot of really good people out there, bringing their communities together,” she said. "There are over 6,000 Red Cross volunteers in 12 counties in North Jersey, people who will go out in the middle of the night, people who deliver meals, who volunteer at blood drives.  There are a lot of people helping.”  

Red Cross was on hand after the shooting in Colorado.  They set up a reception center to reunite families, and a shelter for families evacuated when police were entering the rigged apartment.  They also give referrals to local services for people who need help now, and long term, Concannon said.

Neighbors were not the only ones present.

John Ripple spoke up, “In 1986, I was working at ESL, as a defense contractor in Sunnyvale, California. Richard Farley, an employee fired for sexual harassment, shot and killed seven of my friends. I’ve never been here before, I came out from Long Valley. Once you become a victim and it happens again and again, you just sit in front of the TV, basically crying. This gives me the chance to stop crying and do something for my friends. How we respond is who we are. It’s hopeful to see this [crowd].The people at ESL were taken care of by the corporation, but this is a community coming together. It’s different.”

This is not the first fundraiser SALT Gastropub has sponsored. 

“Laurie and I grew up in this community, and our kids are growing up here," Boyle said. "We take on the burden to support it and give back.”

They have sponsored sports teams, recognized kids for their academics and musical achievements, and received plaques from Relay for Life, Waterloo Village Harvest Moon Festival, and providing training to Project Self Sufficiency.

Byram Chief of Police Raymond Rafferty was among the crowd, and a supporter of the silent auction. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, by phone.

An account has been set up at PNC Bank. Those wishing to make a donation can bring it to a PNC Bank, or mail it to:

Jacci Fry Recovery Fund

2 Peach Tree Street

Andover, NJ  07821

Checks should be made payable to Jacci Fry Recovery Fund.