Radio Smart Talk: Lend-A-Hand disaster recovery and Hershey Bears 75th anniversary

Radio Smart Talk for Friday February 8:

Point Pleasant, NJ

Hurricane Sandy resulted in the deaths of 125 people last October.  The storm caused more than $62 billion in damage -- mostly in New York and New Jersey.  Sandy was the second costliest storm in U.S. history.

Just more than three months later, thousands of residents and property owners are still cleaning up and trying to get the lives they were living before Sandy back.  For some, the damage was too great and their former lives can never be restored.

Sandy brought an outpouring of compassionate people and organizations who wanted to help in the recovery efforts.

One of those organizations and its volunteers come from Central Pennsylvania.  Lend-A-Hand is a faith-based organization that has provided volunteers to aid in the recovery efforts after natural disasters since 1989.

Joining us on Friday's program will be Lend-A-Hand's co-founder Skip Becker, volunteers Jim and Deb Davis, and Dr. Carl Wilton, pastor at the Point Pleasant, New Jersey Presbyterian Church.

Also, the Hershey Bears are celebrating their 75th anniversay this season.  Not only are the Bears an institution in Central Pennsylvania, but they also are one of the most respected and successful sports franchises in the country.  One current player called the Bears the New York Yankees of the American Hockey League.

Appearing on the program will be Bears' President and General Manager Doug Yingst, former players Mitch Lamouroux and Al Hill, and Patriot-News beat writer Tim Leone. 

Listen to the program:

Below is a slideshow of photos taken during Lend-A-Hand's Sandy clean up efforts.

Jim Davis of Lend-a-Hand talks about his time helping to clean up from Superstorm Sandy.

Deb Davis talks about her experiences with Lend-a-Hand.

Skip Becker, co-founder of Lend-a-Hand, talks about the work the group has done since it was founded in 1989.

Former Hershey Bear hockey player Mitch Lamouroux talks about his time with the team.

Lamouroux's teammate, Al Hill, talks about his favorite memories with the Hershey Bears.