Groups around the Tier pitch in on Sandy relief effort

11/8/2012 (Updated 6:57:17 PM)

BROOME CO. -- Just over a year ago, the firehouse on the Vestal Parkway held fellow firefighters from downstate.  Now, it's Vestal's turn to do some traveling.

"They stayed for weeks and slept on floors," said Hugh Reynolds, from the Vestal Fire Department. "It was time for us to return the favor, and finally we had the opportunity."

It's the reason Vestal volunteer firefighters traveled to Oceanside last week to aid in the recovery efforts.  With the team now back in Broome County, they're looking for donations, a way to supply more help for their "brothers and sisters" in need.

"You kind of form a bond that's irreplaceable," said Reynolds.  "We all speak the same language.  They're not at their station more than two minutes and we know all about them, they know all about us.  It's a family."

This weekend all four Vestal fire stations will be accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will also be on hand at the Oakdale Mall and stations in Johnson City, Endicott and Apalachin.

A few miles down the road, at the Arena, the B-Sens plan to pitch in as well.  The team is collecting items, and next week plan to take a busload of supplies down to several hard-hit spots by the storm.

For players Pat Cannone, Hugh Jessiman and equipment manager Tom Severence the storm, literally, hit close to what used to be home.

"My folks have sent me pictures and I've seen pictures online, and it's pretty crazy to think that happened right where you grew up," said Cannone.

"I've seen a lot of pictures of boats in peoples houses, and stuff like that," said Severence. "For me, I lived down there for two years, and to see something like that. It hit me pretty hard."

An effort the B-Sens hope gives just a little relief to those in need.

"Putting a smile on someones face," said Jessiman. "That's something in the very least I think we can do."

Two different reasons to give back, but both giving back in anyway they can.

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