Firefighters stage concert for tornado victims

INDIANAPOLIS ? "With most of us being firefighters, we're very much built into the mindset of you see a need and respond to that."

So says Jeff Owens of the Indianapolis Fire Department. Together with other area firefighters, he organized the "Concert of Hope" on Saturday to help victims of the tornadoes that struck Southern Indiana in March.

The concert, which was conducted on the football field at Ben Davis High School, featured 10 local artists, including Owens. It also included several food vendors.

Joy Lorch of the Wayne Township Fire Department got the ball rolling. She met with some of the families in Henryville who took a direct hit from the tornadoes.

"I left there on fire," Lorch said. "I called (Owens immediately after) and told him the situation. Unfortunately people in Indianapolis are so far removed that they don't understand there are still people sleeping in tents."

Indeed, the cleanup in Henryville and the other towns hit by the twisters may be done, but the rebuilding is far from complete. Many homeowners have insurance, but the coverage doesn't extend to the businesses they had on their properties. Some have lost their only income source. Many others can't get their insurance money until they bring their septic systems up to code, which can cost upwards of $20,000.

"It would be easy for me to sit in my backyard with a cold drink and think everything's right in the world, because mine really hasn't changed," Owens said. "But they're only an hour and a half away from me, and their world is completely different. It's a third world country now."

The firefighters spent eight weeks planning the Concert of Hope.

"There were people who said they didn't think we could pull it off in this amount of time, but we were determined to because there was a need," Owens said. "It couldn't wait."

That's precisely the reason why he and his fellow firefighters were more than willing to give up some of their free time, including a whole Saturday, to help with this cause.

"I have to spend one day in the heat," Owens said. "They're spending every day and night in tents or with tarps over their roofs. Some don't have anything. Seems like one day in the heat and a few hours here and there planning the event are relatively minor compared to what they're dealing with."

Proceeds from the concert went to New Washington State Bank in Henryville, which has established a 501(c)3 account for tornado victims.

Organizers also used the occasion to honor some of the heroes from the tragedy. The assistant state fire marshal presented a medal of valor to the Monroe Township Fire Department. They shielded a woman alongside Interstate 65 from large hail, suffering broken bones in the process.

The Concert of Hope isn't the end of this group's efforts in helping the tornado victims.

"Until they're taken care of, I don't think we're going to be at peace," Lorch said. "We're going to keep going even after this day is over. We're not done."

Just as important, Owens adds, is showing them that people are still concerned.

"They haven't been forgotten," he said. "Our worlds may be dramatically different, but we still care about what's going on down there."

Donations are still being accepted online at concertofhopeindy.org.

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com

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