"Concert of Hope" for tornado victims

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Saturday victims are still piecing their lives back together after the deadly March tornadoes in parts of southern Indiana, one that left a path of destruction behind.

But it was a much different site at Ben Davis High School at a benefit concert for the victims Saturday.

On March 2, 2012, numerous twisters wiped out a path in Henryville and neighboring towns. The volunteer fire department of Monroe Township in Henryville was in the middle of it helping rescue their neighbors, friends and loved ones. “All of our guys are volunteers so they didn't get paid, they actually most of them took off all most 2 weeks of work to stay in the community and help,” explains Fire Chief Mark Furnish from the Monroe Township Fire Department.

More than 3 months later, firefighters from some local departments organized a benefit concert. The money raised will go to help the victims rebuild, but it's also to honor those who risked everything. “There truly is a brotherhood. You definitely feel for the firefighters and knowing the stories of some of them responding pass their own homes were destroyed trying to help other people,” says Jeff Owens an event organizer.

Organizers felt 4 Monroe Township firefighters needed to be honored for their work in saving the life of one woman. “They were actually were involved with a woman that was literally sucked out of her car, and thrown a couple hundred yards from her car,” says Chief Furnish.

While Henryville and the other communities continue to rebuild, organizers hope this benefit concert will remind people that the work is far from over. “That’s just such a hard thing. I admire their dedication and you want to reach out and help anyway you can,” explains Owens.

Firefighters planned the event in just about 10 weeks. They're goal was to raise $25-thousand. All the money raised will go to the tornado victims.