Karen Buongiorno, owner of Buon Giorno Good Day Spa in Northvale, has decided to use her business to help a Wyckoff family through an incredibly difficult time — searching for 23-year-old Alphonse Michael "Mike" Barbiere.
| TO HELP OUT |
| The Buon Giorno Good Day Spa is located at 155 Paris Ave. in Northvale. Call 201-768-7700 for more information. |
Barbiere has been missing since the early hours of Feb. 8 after he left Cecilia’s Martini Bar in Breckenridge, Colo. He was on a ski trip with six former high school classmates, including Northvale resident Mark Ciccarelli, and two fathers.
"Obviously coming back from Colorado without Mike was the toughest thing I’ve had to do. Everyone has united to do everything to help out his family in the search for him and try to get some answers," Ciccarelli said.
In an effort to help the family, Mark’s mother, Karen, hosted a cut-a-thon on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds from the $25 haircuts will go directly to the Barbiere family. For the entire week, Buongiomo will donate 20 percent of all her services to the family. In addition to money generated through services, Buongiomo is accepting donations for the family. She said the efforts will go on even if Michael is found.
Mark said, "My mother figured she’d use her spa as a way to generate some money for the family. I’ve been impressed with how everyone’s come together to do things to help find him."
Donated money may go to help the Barbiere family pay for continuing search efforts. Karen said, "The family had to hire a private investigator because the search was suspended after three days. His [Barbiere’s] brother and brother-in-law are with a family friend in Colorado trying to do everything they can."
The family is also offering a $10,000 reward for information.
A prayer vigil was held at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 700 Wyckoff Ave. in Wyckoff, Feb. 15.
The Internet offers other means of support, including the Web site www.bringmikehome.com. Ciccarelli said, "Right now, it’s a support system for everyone who’s going through this." He said the site might be set up to accept online donations as well.
A former high school classmate of Barbiere’s has created a Facebook group, "Please join this group — Mike Barbiere," where members have posted updates and information about events, including the cut-a-thon. The group has more than 3,000 members.
Although the situation is difficult, Ciccarelli said, "The efforts of everyone coming together is phenomenal. The family has been tremendously strong through all of this. Everybody’s come together in this area and beyond to comfort the Barbiere family and to find Michael."
The Buon Giorno Good Day Spa is located at 155 Paris Ave. in Northvale. Call 201-768-7700 for more information.
