Dean's Natural Foods Reaches 'Restore the Shore' Goal

Dean's Natural Food Store's "Restore the Shore" event held throughout last weekend was a success, with Dean's reporting that the combined three stores .

"The Basking Ridge store did great, especially considering how far from the Jersey Shore it is," said Cristina Kocsis, who handles marketing for Dean's. "We are all thrilled and so happy to make such a sizable donation which will really make a difference to so many people."

"People were really happy to help, very supportive and a lot of them came in specifically for the fundraiser," Kocsis said on Monday.

The fundraiser was held last weekend at all three of Dean's stores, including Shrewsbury and Ocean Township, and the most recently opened store at 25 Mountainview Blvd. in Basking Ridge.

Owner says trying to 'make a difference'

I feel it is our duty to give back to those in need — I want to make a difference, and hope good will create a positive energy in our community," Dean Nelson, owner of the three stores, said after the event. "I look forward to Dean’s continuing to make a difference.”

The Dean's website announced before the weekend began that the stores would be donating a percentage of all sales to the relief effort. The promotion also included free Restore the Shore reusable bags, along with samples, sales and demonstrations, and an official "Restore the Shore" juice bar drink for the weekend.

Shoppers who spent more than $50 received a raffle ticket to win a family pack of beach badges to the Jersey Shore, with which beaches to choose from to be determined closer to the season.

The Basking Ridge store also had Dean's beach towels, which were a $20 donation, with 100 percent of that amount going to Hometown Heroes. There were still a few left as of late Monday, according to Kocsis.