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Video, Photos: Benatar Sandy Benefit Rocks Westbury

Lindenhurst's favorite daughter takes the stage to help her hometown.

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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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Scott P. Moore (Editor) May 22, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Jackie, it should appear immediately... but the new site has had its issues. If it does not show upRead More by this afternoon, let me know. :)
Scott P. Moore (Editor) May 22, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Deanna, Barbara is no longer with Patch.com.
Deanna DeMarco May 21, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Scott, have you replaced Barbara Capella Loehr? If so, can I ask why...
Scott P. Moore (Editor) May 21, 2013 at 01:10 pm
Hi Jackie, My email can be found always at the bottom of the Lindenhurst Patch site. For anyoneRead More wondering, you can always feel free to contact me at: ScottP.Moore@patch.com or by phone at (631) 921-5482. Thanks!
F. DiMacci May 17, 2013 at 10:38 am
Take the money from the bloated salaries of Richard Nathan and his administration flunkies. WouldRead More payr for supplies and reduce taxes in one shot!
Denise Botiglione May 14, 2013 at 10:43 am
I had to comment. Although I am not in the market for a rocker I had to send my condolences to youRead More and your family. That must have been hard not to have received his rocker in time for him to enjoy it. I will pass the word around and hopefully you will find a buyer soon.
Denise Botiglione May 14, 2013 at 10:40 am
What age group are these homemakers? My mom just recently moved into my house in Lindenhurst and IRead More would love for her to keep busy, make friends and enjoy herself. she is not very crafty, but would like to get involved in other things if available.
Barbara Capella Loehr (Editor) May 9, 2013 at 08:15 am
Hi Lindy Native. Thanks for posting these photos. But could you e-mail me at barbara.loehr@patch.comRead More with the originals and some more details? The photos you posted are really blurry/bitmapped. I think if you send the originals and some more info, then a story could be put together for the news section of the site. Thanks!