State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. swears in members of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department at the group’s 86th annual dinner, dance and installation at Russo’s on the Bay last week. Photo by Phil Corso
They have come a long way since the floodwaters of Superstorm Sandy left them soaked and at a standstill.
Members of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps celebrated the group’s 86th anniversary last Thursday in Howard Beach, looking back on the long road to storm recovery. Those who were on the frontlines of emergency response crews shared stories of giving and teamwork through the looking glass of 16 months since Sandy devastated much of South Queens.
“Sandy took everything from us. But tonight I stand here before to tell you we are stronger than the storm,” said treasurer Mitch Udowitch. “We have rebuilt and we are 100 percent whole thanks to the many people – some of whom are here tonight.”
The group recognized some of the most pivotal individuals and organizations, which came to the Queens community’s aid after the storm decimated the northeast. The organization then welcomed state Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) as its newest honorary battalion chief for making sure the volunteers had what they needed to do their part after the storm.
Udowitch said the assemblyman’s dedication to the southern Queens community was “second-to-none,” and introduced Goldfeder as one of the region’s influential elected officials.
“My drive for public service comes from the way I was raised,” Goldfeder said. “But you guys are really the unsung heroes. You guys don’t look for the credit.”
Both state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and city Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) also took to the podium to give thanks, underscoring the important work they do as volunteers.
“Volunteers are the best example of ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” Ulrich said.
“They saw things we hope we never see. They do it because they want to do it,” Addabo said.
By the time Sandy was finished, the West Hamilton Beach volunteer crew was left with only one functioning ambulance after its other two were completely taken out by floodwaters. Pittsburgh’s Dr. Steven Reis, a former WHBVFD firefighter, was instrumental in helping the group get its hands on three fire trucks from his neck of the woods in Pennsylvania.
Chief Jonah Cohen helped dole out the honorary plaques with his trademark wit and sarcasm, but he was not kidding around when he said everyone in the room deserved an award.
Other honorees included Nick Beneduce, who was celebrated for his work behind the lens – shooting photos of the storm itself and the volunteer fire department’s relief efforts in the Sandy aftermath. In his colorful introduction, Udowitch told the story of how Beneduce lost his nearby apartment in the storm, but was still seen taking photos of its effects – many of which have since been displayed on the group’s website.
“Nick will give you the shirt off his own back,” Udowitch said. “Even if it’s the last shirt he owns.”
Stephen Sirgiovanni, lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale and the Howard Beach Kiwanis Club, donated his van to help move supplies throughout the battered region once the storm had subsided. He said it was the least he could do since his community in nearby Glendale was not hit nearly as hard.
“My roots are in Howard Beach,” Sirgiovanni said. “During the storm, I was just one of many who wanted to give back.”
Holly and Roger Gendron of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association were also given a warming ovation for their help in the storm’s aftermath –pulling strings throughout the region to help out their neighbors.
By Phil Corso
