Video, Photos: Benatar Sandy Benefit Rocks Westbury

Pat Benatar rocked the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Friday night, all for a good cause.

Lindenhurst's favorite daughter was helping her Hurricane Sandy-ravaged hometown.

The concert by Benatar benefitted Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, the Lindenhurst Fire Department and The Village of Lindenhurst Relief Fund.

She played to a packed theater, and Lindy was well represented. Benatar's family and friends were there, of course.

Mayor Tom Brennan, Village Administrator Shawn Cullinane, Deputy Mayor Kevin McCaffrey, Trustees Mike Lavorata and Maryann Weckerle and LFD Chief Jim Gallagher were also there along with plenty of fellow volunteers from the LFD, a host of fellow classmates from Lindenhurst High School Class of 1971 - Benatar's class - and a plethora excited Lindy residents, natives and fans.

Wolfie from WBAB, who grew up in Lindenhurst and whose parents were affected by Sandy, and Lindy's own favorite son, Dan Lauria - who flew back from California in support - were also there.

All were showing their Lindy Pride, and ready to enjoy a night designed not only to thank and help the volunteers helping Lindy's Sandy victims, but to also allow Lindy to let loose and forget for one night the devastation the October 29 superstorm wrought on the South Shore community.

Benatar took the stage with her husband and guitarist Neil Giraldo, and told the crowd they were happy to finally be here to help, and she hoped everyone could forget and relax for one night.

"As soon as we got a minute we came right here, and tonight we're raising a lot of money that'll go to all local relief funds. We're very happy about that. Tonight's also about having fun, and forgetting everything for a night," she said.

And she delivered on that promise, playing many of her favorites - including All Fired Up, River of Love, Promises in the Dark, We Belong, You Better Run, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Love Is a Battlefield, Let's Stay Together and Heartbreaker - much to the delight of the crowd.

Just before the encore Mayor Brennan, Cullinane, Chief Gallagher and Captain Dave Collins, plus Wolfie and Lauria, joined Benatar on stage along with Habitat for Humanity representatives.

Gallagher and Collins gave her and Giraldo LFD sweatshirts with their names on them. Brennan and Cullinane presented them with keys to the Village and a proclamation that declared Saturday, January 26, 2013, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Day in the Village.

The proclamation - which Cullinane and Brennan read - was cleverly written to include 23 of her songs.

Benatar thanked everyone for their help in putting this concert together - including a woman in the fan club who raised $1,000 to add to the concert proceeds - and all of the volunteers who've been working tirelessly to help bring some normalcy back to South of Montauk Highway residents in Lindenhurst.

"One day this is in the news, then it's on to the next story, and no one remembers. Don't forget about what happened. It's important to stick together because it's all you have. Be good to each other," she said.

"On behalf of the Village and all of those affected by Sandy, we thank you for doing this concert and for helping us work to get one day closer to normal," Brennan told Benatar.

Take a look through the Lindy Lens gallery at the highlights of the January 25 concert, and add your photos and videos of this event by uploading them to the above gallery or here - yours could be the next Lindenhurst Resident Photo of the Day!

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• Pat Benatar Singing Promises in the Dark at the Sandy Benefit Concert at Westbury, January 25, 2013
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