Summit Business Owners Raise Funds for Murder Victim's Family

The recent death of Summit resident Abelino Mazariego may have shocked the city and surrounding townships and brought sorrow to the community, but several local businesses have joined together to take action and help his hurting family.

The Bar Method exercise studio and Beautylounge boutique donated 20 percent of their profits to the Mazariego family via The Summit Area Public Foundation. Bona Vita Osteria, offered box lunch specials to raise funds, and Lululemon Athletica held a special gift basket auction. Investor's Savings Bank, which operates a branch in Scotch Plains, will match donations until Monday up to $5,000.

"I feel like this is a small town community and we need to all pitch in and support [Mazariego's] family," Illyne Anidjar, the owner of Beautylounge, said.

Mazariego's former place of work, Dabbawalla Indian restaurant, has already been collecting donations from the public.

Dabbawalla manager Colin Crasto said that even in the short time they've been collecting, "lots of people have come in to donate" but didn't know an exact amount yet. Crasto has also donated to the family personally, but declined to comment on the extent of his assistance.

For those who are interested in offering monetary aid directly to the family via Dabbawalla, the donation box can be found inside the restaurant near the cash register, Crasto said, who added that the large box is decorated with pictures of the Mazariego. A similar donation box has been set up at Cafe Mavi.

"Summit is a wonderful community and will continue to be so," said Donna Puzella, co-owner of Swee Nothings. "A terrible thing has happened here which could happen any where.  This is still a close knit community, a caring community with a beautiful downtown and many things to offer."

Summit Patch editor Heather Collura contributed to this report.