Community Offers Support to Ocean City Business After Roof Collapse

By MADDY VITALE The strength of a community could be judged by the outpouring of support residents and business owners give to those who have fallen on tough times or suffered some form of tragedy. Heavy snow on Monday, when a major winter storm dumped 14 inches on Ocean City, caused part of a roof to collapse at GG’s Diamond Cleaners at 609 Asbury Ave. The community is now coming to the aid of GG's owners with a fundraising drive to help them recover. The building was unoccupied at the time. No injuries were reported. Two families in an adjacent second-story residence were temporarily displaced as construction officials assessed the structural integrity of the GG’s building. And for GG's owners, Hee and James Hong, of Upper Township, they’ve served the community for decades. Their son, Dr. Andrew Hong, of Panico Dental in Ocean City, works with Catherine Panico and her husband, Dr. William Panico. Catherine thought the best thing to do to help the family was to set up a GoFundMe page. "Hi, my name is Catherine Panico and would like to help our friends and local family owned business in their recovery effort from the heavy snow fall causing the roof on GGs Diamond Cleaners to partially collapse. They won’t be able to service customers for some time and need our support to help them while they are out of work. Please consider donating. Thank you," Panico wrote. Panico set up the page on Wednesday and by Thursday night, the fundraising goal of $10,000 was exceeded. "It's unbelievable how generous and supportive everyone was," she noted. Some donors gave $1,000 to the cause, while others contributed smaller amounts, but all showed the Hongs that they and their business are important to the community. Mounds of plowed snow lining Asbury Avenue illustrate the strength of the storm. James and Hee Hong said in a statement they are very appreciative of the generosity and kindness of the community. “Thank you. Please pray for us.” Hee Hong said. “From our whole family, we thank you for the support. We thank God that he has kept watch over us and supported us,” James Hong said. “Last year was tough with the pandemic, but we are happy everyone was safe and healthy.” Mayor Jay Gillian was among the donors helping the Hongs. He donated $1,000. “Small businesses are so important to Ocean City and this community,” Gillian said Thursday. “We will always support them in good times and bad.” The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and a host of residents and businesses also donated to the family. The Chamber gave $1,000. City Councilman Peter Madden, who also gave a donation, has been going to GG’s Diamond Cleaners for tailoring since he and his family moved here in 2004. “James is awesome,” said Madden, who donated $500. “He is one of those people who welcomes you and knows you the moment you come in. He values and really cares about the customers.” OCNJ CARE, a nonprofit organization that helps those in the community who need assistance, also provided support for the Hong family. "We help the residents and businesses of Ocean City. That is our mission," said Drew Fasy, chairman of OCNJ CARE. Here are some comments from others who gave: "Great people! What a pleasant place to do business. Ocean City needs more business owners like this," John Karanik wrote on the GoFundMe page. "We have been going to GG’s since we moved here. Such a lovely couple. We hope they are up and running soon," wrote Richard King, another donor. To donate, visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-gg-diamonds-cleaners?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium= People may also drop off donations in c/o Dr. Andrew Hong at Panico Dental, located at 740 Central Ave. in Ocean City.