Shauna Bidgood, a junior at Towson University in Maryland, presented $1,000 in funds raised by her sorority Tri Delta and co-sponsored with fraternity Theta Chi to Tom Acquisto, a server at Salt Creek Grille, Rumson. Tom’s one story level home in Union Beach who he shared with his mother and paralyzed father, was completely destroyed by five feet of floodwaters from Hurricane Sandy. Shauna is the daughter of the well-known philanthropist and Salt Creek Grille East Coast Regional Partner, Steve Bidgood.

“We collected all kinds of donations for the victims of Hurricane Sandy such as baby clothes, hygiene products, food, cleaning supplies and money,” explained Shauna, who is the philanthropy chair for Tri Delta. “We agreed we wanted the money to go directly to someone in need. My Dad told me about Tom and we were all stunned by his loss. He’s like family to me, so we all agreed that the funds raised should go to Tom,” she added.

The popular waterfront Salt Creek Grille - which has never been flooded in its 14-year history - also took in over four feet of floodwaters from the Navesink River caused by Hurricane Sandy and was closed for repairs for 11 days. Bidgood said key to his being able to get the restaurant - employing 100 staff members and a cornerstone of the community - operating so quickly was the tireless efforts of his staff and his strong, long-term relationships with local contractors, such as Joe Hemphill a building contractor and Max Matern an HVAC contractor. The Long Branch home of Salt Creek Grille’s Princeton managing partner, Hugh Preece, also sustained damage from flooding.

“The restaurant business is a special one,” explained Bidgood. “It provides so much nourishment at many levels to the community and to its employees. We are like a family here and Shauna who works here during her time off from school understands that we have to help each other through good times and bad. I am very proud that she is continuing Salt Creek Grille’s role as a supporter of the community it serves.”

Many Two River area small businesses like Salt Creek Grille had a single mission that compelled them to work exhaustive long hours without power, to get back in operation so their employees could be back at work to earn an income to support their families and to help their communities maintain some sense of normalcy. Thanks to the effort of many Salt Creek Grille reopned just 11 days after the Hurricane. And they are accepting reservations for Christmas parties, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve too, just as it has since it opened in 1998. In April 2013 Salt Creek Grille will hold its popular Wine and Martini Tasting Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The program has raised over $550,000 for nine local charities that serve children’s needs.

Additionally, all five Salt Creek Grille locations – in El Segundo, Dana Point and Valencia in California and Princeton and Rumson in New Jersey – have implemented a fund raising effort until November 30, 2012, to help raise funds for the American Red Cross. Guests who dine at any of the five locations and text a contribution of $10 to $50 to the American Red Cross will receive the equal value in Salt Creek Grille reward cards.

Shauna resides in Eatontown with her Dad and Mom, Lynn. Shauna’s sister Megan is a 2010 alumnus of Towson and also a member of Tri Delta and resides now in Baltimore.