When Superstorm Sandy hit, many of the township volunteers didn't hesitate to leave their own storm-wracked homes and families to help someone else in a more hazardous situation.
On Saturday night at the Middletown Arts Center, a benefit concert has been planned to show the community's appreciation to them.
The benefit, called "Songs and Sirens: A Benefit Concert for First Responders Affected by Sandy" aims to raise money for volunteer emergency medical service workers and firefighters in Middletown who lost their homes or property in Hurricane Sandy, said Mike Daneman, Jr. 2nd Lieutenant, Lincroft First Aid and Rescue Squad.
"The performers will be young people from Middletown and surrounding towns," he said.
Tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Speaking for the Middletown EMS, Spokesman Bob Pfleger said that many of the township's 125 volunteers, working on five squads, suffered damage to their houses "one way or another."
During the storm they selflessly answered calls for help, from people whose anxiety rose to such a level they had heart and breathing problems. "Fortunately, not a lot of trauma, no fatalities. We were lucky that way," said Pfleger.
But even when the floodwaters eventually receded, the 911 calls for help continued.
After the storm, a lot of people got sick with flu-like symptoms, he said. "Really severe colds, asthma brought on from dust and mold," said Pfleger. Weak, or without cars, they relied on the township EMS crews to transport them to the hospital.
Thank you to our volunteers! I applaud you and admire you one and all!