EAST BRUNSWICK — Two families displaced by Hurricane Sandy will be the beneficiaries of a special concert Nov. 17.
The concert, set for 7-10 p.m. at the Next Level Hockey and Sports Performance facility on Kimberly Road, off Harts Lane, will benefit the Martino family of Sayreville and the Smith family of Keansburg, both of whom lost their houses and their personal possessions during the Oct. 29 storm.
Dan Siejk, owner of Next Level Sports Performance, said the concert is also intended to help with the overall hurricane relief effort through donations to the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
“Following the hurricane we saw what kind of devastation was left behind, and I felt it was time for us and Next Level to do our part to help out the community and the family members who are involved here,” Siejk said.
He reached out to Ken Thomore, founder of TNT Sports Training Inc., of Old Bridge, and a member of the band New Jersey’s Most Wanted.
“He thought it would be a good idea to do a concert, feeling that it would be pretty entertaining for people, and throughout the years he and his band has created a good following,” Siejk said. “We’re all going to pull together and not only have a good night, but for the right reasons.
“I felt like this was a perfect opportunity it happens to be two very close family members to Next Level and TNT who were in a time of need and were suffering, and we want to do our part by helping them out while also raising the other goods to send to the Red Cross relief effort,” he added.
In addition to New Jersey’s Most Wanted, which performs rock ‘n’ roll party, dance and sing-along music, the concert will feature opening act Kathleen Lonski, as well as members of the popular bar band Mushmouth.
The event includes food and refreshments. Attendees may bring their own alcoholic beverages.
There is a $20 cover per adult, with all proceeds benefiting the families.
Donations of nonperishable foods, toiletries, clothing and bedding will be accepted, as well as gift cards to grocery stores and home improvement stores. Prior to the event, donations may be made via a Salvation Army storage bin in the Next Level parking lot.
For more information, visit nlhockeynj.com.