On Saturday Sept. 10, the Farmingdale Fire Department held a Lemonade Sale and collected donations to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The fire department took over Main Street soliciting donations from motorists and pedestrians on Main Street.

Chief John Salerno, who after the hurricane, was compelled to do something, organized the fundraiser in one week.

"As soon as it happened I figured they needed something down there," Salerno said.

He wasn't alone. Local residents dug deep into their pockets to help out.

"Farmingdale residents came out in droves, the generosity was overwhelming," Salerno said.

They had homemade signs and utilized a donated lemonade stand to coordinate the event.

"The night before all the firefighters' kids came out and painted the lemonade sign," Salerno said.

The fire department surpassed their $10,000 goal and were able to raise over $12,000 toward the relief effort. That money was then donated to the American Red Cross.

"So far we found them to be giving almost dollar for dollar," Salerno said.

- Jaime L. Tomeo