New Fundraisers Announced For Families Of Girls Slain In Hit-And-Run

CRANFORD, NJ — Three new fundraising events have been announced to raise money for the families of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas in Cranford.

The two 17-year-old girls were killed by a driver in a hit-and-run crash on Sept. 29 while they were riding electronic bikes along Burnside Avenue, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said.

Vincent P. Battiloro, 17 of Garwood, was identified as the suspect through court records along with reports he had been stalking at least one of the girls for months leading up to the crash. He is charged with two counts of murder and 15 other citations.

After an initial two-day sale of music by local DJ Rich Russo raised more than $12,000, he is again returning to 109 North Union Ave. on the following dates:

• Friday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. (Discount Day)

“After the overwhelming success of the first sales, and with the continued generosity of Rafi, Cranford Family Care, and our amazing volunteers," said Russo, "we’re doing it again. We’ve received even more great vinyl records and CDs to add to the collection."

On Halloween, all ages will be welcome to enter a "no purchase necessary" drawing for a Taylor Swift 45 record and a Rocky Horror Picture Disc. There will also be a Gene Simmons autographed record available for sale.

Anyone who arrives in a costume will get a surprise 45 rpm record.

Through a collaboration with the Old City Cafe & Grill, DJ and Cranford resident Rich Russo used a collection of records and CDs he acquired to host a sale on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 and give 100% of the proceeds to both of the girls' families. Old City donated the space to Russo and the nonprofit Cranford Family Care for a month to use however they'd like in order to raise more funds.

Russo bought the entire record collection at an estate sale in Cranford and was offered the space by Rafi Namroud, owner of the restaurant, while the two were having dinner one night. A baked good sale and donation site were also a part of the setup at the sale.

Russo, who hosts a show called "Anything, Anything" on multiple FM stations and two SiriusXM shows, is accepting donations now for each of the three sales. To donate your vinyl records or CDs, contact rich@richrusso.net.

Monetary donations for the families are being accepted through Cranford Family Care.

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