Lindenhurst Named Applebee's Most Thankful Neighborhood, Wins DeGraw Concert

Lindenhurst has come together once again to bring a major entertainment star, earning a Gavin DeGraw concert after being named Applebee's "Most Thankful Neighborhood."

Applebee's Restaurants held a program called the Thank You Movement up until Veterans Day to help residents give thanks to armed forces stationed at home and around the globe.

The area with the most thank yous would have a chance to host a concert by pop music star Gavin DeGraw. Lindenhurst topped the nation with more than 23,000 messages of thanks to veterans, beating out Howell, New Jersey, which had more than 21,000.

“I’m looking forward to celebrating with Lindenhurst,” DeGraw said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to have been the voice of the Applebee’s Thank You Movement this year and for the opportunity to extend my thanks to our servicemembers for all they have done.”

DeGraw, a multi-platinum recording artist, lent his song, “Soldier,” to promote the movement and Applebee’s restaurants’ annual tradition of offering free entrees on Veterans Day for veterans and active duty servicemembers.

The Lindenhurst restaurant reportedly served nearly 500 free meals on Veterans Day 2013.

“We’re thrilled to show our support for current and former members of the Armed Forces every year on Veterans Day and we appreciate our neighbors in Lindenhurst for helping us earn the title of America’s Most Thankful Neighborhood by sharing their thanks to our military personnel as part of the Applebee’s Thank You Movement,” said Ed Doherty, Chairman and CEO of Doherty Enterprises, which owns 100 Applebee’s restaurants including the Lindenhurst location.

There was no word on when the concert would be held.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, several efforts began to help raise awareness to the plight faced by those in southern Lindenhurst. Many of those efforts included bringing celebrity figures in with donations and charitable events to help out.

Lindenhurst native and pop star Pat Benitar helped raise a large amount of money during a concert to benefit her hometown last year while model Heidi Klum stopped by during last year's Christmas tree lighting. Country singer Darius Rucker, of Hootie & the Blowfish, also spent more than $10,000 on toys for children in Lindenhurst affected by the storm.