BOROBEAT: Funds — and roof — raised at Salty Dog

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By Will Bredderman

Brooklyn Daily

Ridgites converged on the Salty Dog Bar and Grill on Sunday to hear some great tunes — and contribute to a great cause.

The event at the pub on Third Avenue between 76th Street and Bay Ridge Parkway was a fund-raiser to benefit the Howe and Railey families, whose duplex home on 81st Street was destroyed in a four-alarm fire on June 21, and two neighboring families whose houses were also affected by the blaze.

The Helping Hands Project — an organization founded by friends of the victims — did not announce how much people had donated, but said the response had been overwhelming.

“Friends new and old, family members, neighbors, and perfect strangers all came together to help lift the spirits of the displaced families and once again Bay Ridge proved itself to be a community that comes together like no other,” the group said in a statement.

Robert Howe — an attorney and president of the Third Avenue Merchants — and his wife Diana lost all of their possessions in the inferno, which injured four firefighters, and which the Fire Department said was the result of faulty electrical wiring.

Despite the success of the charity show — which featured Ridge bands Rebelfish, Atomic Dog, Frankie Marra & His Band, Head N’ South, Radio Daze, High Tides, and Cassone, D’emic, and Lepore & Bauer — the Helping Hands Project said it was still not enough to help the families through the crisis.

“There is still a significant need for additional funds,” the group said, adding that it will hold a pair of stage shows — which will include the comedy “Trouble at the Tropicabana” as well as several musical numbers — next month at Saint Mary’s Church at the corner of 81st Street and Ridge Boulevard.

“Trouble at the Tropicabana” at St. Mary’s Church [192 81st St. between Ridge Boulevard and Colonial Road in Bay Ridge, (718) 238–8008]. Aug. 11 at 7 pm and Aug. 12 at 5 pm. Donation to be decided. To mail a donation, make check out to St. Mary’s Church and mail to attention of Helping Hands Project, St. Mary’s Church at 8005 Ridge Blvd. in Brooklyn, NY 11209.

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