For several years now, dozens who dedicate their time and efforts, including Roslyn firefighter Henry Krukowski and his wife Betty, are ramping up to pulling off what is fast becoming one of Long Island’s larger fundraising events. Each November, for the past two years, volunteers have pooled their resources selflessly for the Roslyn Rocks for the Wounded Warriors concert, which benefits the Nassau County Fire Fighters’ Operation Wounded Warrior (NCFF-OWW) organization.
The Roslyn Fire Department and Steve Dassa Entertainment are presenting this year’s doo-wop show, “The Return of the Original Brooklyn Reunion,” which is open to the public, on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Roslyn High School on Round Hill Road. The playbill includes Herb Cox and the Cleftones; Larry Chance and the Earls; Phil Cracolici and the Mystics; Jimmy Gallagher and the Passions; and Emil Stucchio and the Classics.
Dassa, resident of Levittown for 49 years, told Levittown Tribune, “I love this kind of music, but more important, all money raised goes to the Wounded Warriors [NCFF-OWW].” He said, “Anyone who loves doo-wop and oldies will love this show,” and the appeal of great music transcends an age limit.
Krukowski, also the chairman of the Roslyn Rocks committee, said the fundraising leading up to the first concert event wasn’t going so well, but after the first “Roslyn Rocks” concert Roslyn Fire Companies and the NCFF-OWW raised over $100,000 for the cause. He said over the past two years the event is gaining momentum, and is self-sufficient.
Krukowski’s wife, Betty said, “This [NCFF-OWW] is a comprehensive program for doing things to show people that have served, to show our veterans that we care about them; we recognize their efforts.”
NCFF-OWW, a nonprofit, began in 2006 and helps provide items for wounded military members and their families. NCFF-OWW works closely with the Walter Reed Army and Bethesda Naval Medical Centers in Washington, DC, the Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, NC, and the Naval Hospital Camp in Lejune, NC.
According to Krukowski, NCFF-OWW is 100 percent volunteer led and organized, and nearly 96 percent of the funds raised benefit the NCFF-OWW mission.
Many Nassau County firefighters from more than 39 companies, EMS personnel, and their families, who fundraise throughout the year across the neighboring communities, meet the organization’s efforts. Each year, NCFF-OWW’s efforts conclude with the deployment of caravans visiting each of the military hospitals, to meet with the actual “wounded warriors” who have served and sacrificed.
In addition, NCFF-OWW organizes welcome home greetings to local members of the military who are recovering from serious injuries. Some of the past and upcoming events include a home appliance delivery to an injured soldier in Huntington, the greeting of a soldier who suffered from a flesh-eating bacteria upon his release from NUMC in East Meadow, Pasta Night at Locust Valley Fire Department, Williston Park FD Pancake Breakfast, Mineola Fire Department’s Halloween party and the Veterans’ Day Auction Benefit at New Hyde Park Fire Department.
For tickets and information about Roslyn Rocks, call (516) 587-7187. All seats are reserved at $40. To purchase tickets by mail or to make additional donations toward this event, make checks payable to: Nassau County Fire Fighters’ Operation Wounded Warriors, 155 Mineola Avenue, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. More information about the organization and its upcoming events can be found at: www.ncff-oww.com/dev/.
