A Plainview letter-carrier is helping to deliver a special event aimed at raising funds for two worthy causes.
Denise Treulieb, a 26-year veteran of Long Island postal service and former resident of the Plainview, is staging a Battle of the Bands to benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation at Mr. Beery’s in Bethpage on Nov. 10.
The effort is part of the Combined Federal Campaign; a mission that encourages federal employees to contribute to charities through automatic deductions form paychecks or lump sum payments to stage fundraising events.
Treulieb said she chose to honor these two organizations for very personal reasons. Her father is a retired battalion chief for the FDNY; as is her uncle. They both lost many firefighter brothers on 9/11, so helping the bravest was a no-brainer. And with her grandfather being a veteran of a foreign war, choosing the second foundation as an honoree just made sense.
“Veterans and firefighters, they serve us to make our lives better,” she said. “We might take things for granted in life and we might not realize just how much others suffer in order for us to live our lives.”
She also said that helping veterans and the families of fallen firefighters is the ultimate form of public service for civilians.
“Seeing homeless vets is just so upsetting. They put their lives on the line for people they don’t even know; the same with firefighters,” she said. “They are a different breed of person. And every civilian should appreciate them. We are lucky to have them.”
This will be the fifth charity event staged by Treulieb since 1999 and the first one since 2005. And she brought the idea for a Battle of the Bands to Steve Beery, owner of Mr. Beery’s, because she has known him since she was 16.
“I knew he wasn’t going to say no,” Treulieb said of the affable bar owner. “He’s a great guy and always pulls together a great crowd for these types of events.”
The Battle of the Bands event features local musical acts, most with ties to area post offices. The bands include The G-String Band, The Origginators, The Forbidden Zone, Vitamin D, Jay & K-K and Monkey Grip. Treulieb was also able to wrangle pro wrestler Beautiful Bobby Bluejay for a special appearance.
The event starts at 2 p.m. at Mr. Beery’s, 4019 Hempstead Turnpike, Sunday, Nov. 10. There will be a $10 donation fee at the door and the event will feature 50/50 raffle prizes and door prizes. For more information, contact Denise Treulieb at 516-845-7162.
“We came very close to raising $10,000 the last time we did this,” she said. “These are incredibly worthy causes. Plus, it will be a really fun event. Mr. Beery’s knows how to have a good time.”
Treulieb particularly remembers a Battle of the Bands event staged at the bar following Sept. 11, 2001. She remembers it as a time when everyone felt the need to honor firefighters, as well as those who fight for freedom overseas.
She would like to see the same enthusiasm for charity expressed in 2013.
“When 9/11 happened, it all hit home,” she said. “But we should never forgot those sacrifices.”
