Dear Friend,

This is Robert, owner of Thai Rock, a mom and pop restaurant, mine and my wife’s dream, opened in June 2010 and located in Rockaway Beach, NY.  I believe we are a good example of a small business, the type politicians refer to.  During our busy season, we employ 40 or more people and this summer coming, I am hoping our employment ranks will grow even more.  That’s 40 families that put food on their tables because of Thai Rock and we all need your help.  The restaurant was devastated from the wrath of hurricane Sandy on Oct 29th & 30th 2012.  The entire restaurant needs to be gutted and replaced along with the replacement of all the coolers, draft system, ice machine, ovens, and practically all other equipment, food stock, computers and practically everything else in the restaurant.

It was very challenging getting our doors open in 2010, we put everything we had into this business and more.  We struggled a great deal in our first year to keep our doors open.  This, our 2^nd summer, we ran better, got a handle on many issues and overall enjoyed the business more.  We have made excellent and lasting inroads in connecting with our beautiful community, now devastated by hurricane Sandy, and we’ve forged amazing bonds and made great friends since opening.

Every charity that knocked on our door we supported, and now, the table is turned, and I am asking for support to help us and others rebuild.

We, along with the great majority of business here, had no flood insurance.  I hope there will be FEMA and other government support, but, as I understand it, any government support we do receive will be loan based and likely not enough to get through all the expenses while creating added financial pressures.

If you can find it in your heart and wallet to help a small business overcome a natural disaster, I promise your contribution will be well used and I will not take more money than I need to re-open my business.  Any excess monies will go directly to other devastated business here in the Rockaways.  I will provide progress reports that will include photos, status and contribution distributions.  If enough monies are raised, I will provide voting capabilities for you, the contributor, to help select which other business to support.

No contribution is too small and I would be most appreciative if you would pass this on to anyone who would be willing to help.

This is a sincere and earnest request for help.  You can validate our business credentials at the New York Times, Facebook, Twitter, FourSquare, City Search, Yelp, Google, Urban Spoon, TimeOut, Grub Street, Trip Advisor, All Menus, Dun and Bradstreet and many other reputable sources.

Please contact me directly with any questions. At present, power and Internet service is very limited as I have power only though the use of a generator for which gas is almost impossible to get.

Thank you from the entire Thai Rock Family and be well,
Robert Kaskel
Owner, Thai Rock