National media outlets reporting on the recent car wreck, which caused the deaths of five Farmingdale teenagers, have been cluttered with headlines using words like “tragic,” “horrifying,” “heartbreaking,” and “catastrophic.” While it is true, the accident was a horribly unfortunate tragedy that had a profound impact not only on the family and friends involved, but on the entire community.
However, Farmingdale residents rallied together amid crisis to support the families of the five lost Dalers. In doing so, students in the district have added a few more words to the list: “hope,” “community,” “fellowship,” and “caring.”
It was the essence of these four words and the meaning they have in the Village of Farmingdale that was tremendously evident at Allen Park on May 19, when Dalers old and young came together for a benefit concert at Allen Park.
In the wake of the crash, John Bianco, a member of the Farmingdale school community, organized the concert to beneift the families of the departed teens. From the event over $15,000 was collected for the grieving families.
Although donations were encouraged, the goal of the concert was not just to raise money, but to bring the community together to remember the lives lost.
Ms. Mauro, a Farmingdale High School teacher who knew two of the students personally, said how wonderful it was to see the community respond by coming together in the face of tragedy.
“Even though it is sad we are trying to honor them,” Mauro said. “We all come together to heal, grieve and just be there for each other.”
The benefit concert allowed for friends, teachers, school administrators, community members and classmates to show their support for the families of the teens. It also allowed the families to thank those who have helped them through this difficult time.
Students and teachers from Farmingdale High School did everything and anything they could—whether it was selling t-shirts or collecting donations—to help the families of the dearly departed Dalers.
