Rock For A Cause: Bridgewater Band To Play Benefit For Martinsville Volunteer Rescue Squad

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bad Cats will play a Saturday fundraiser at 22 West Tap and Grill in Bridgewater to support the Martinsville Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Squad member Evan Lerner said his band, The Bad Cats, is made up of local adults who play classic rock from the 1970s through the 2020s and usually perform at bars and wineries.

This time, he said, the band is volunteering its time for a benefit tied to the rescue squad, where he has served for almost six years.

"We love playing out, and we love to support our favorite causes," Lerner said.

Lerner said the band will not be paid, and the fundraiser will include a modest $10 minimum cover charge.

"We are happy to take bigger donations," said Lerner.

Donations will go towards the Squad's operating funds.

The band will be playing at 8:30 p.m. at 22 West Tap and Grill at 1061 Route 22 in Bridgewater.

The Martinsville Volunteer Rescue Squad has been providing volunteer emergency services to Martinsville and Bridgewater since 1957.

Martinsville is one of four volunteer rescue squads in Bridgewater.

Martinsville and Green Knoll share territory, while Bradley Gardens and Finderne operate as volunteer squads from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Lerner said daytime coverage in those two territories is handled by Robert Wood Johnson and described additional overnight and weekend mutual aid coverage among five territories.

Lerner said volunteer squads have been struggling to attract members.

"Squads are having a hard time lately getting volunteers, just in general," he said.

He said the squad does a lot of recruiting at the high school, where students interested in medicine often join for a few years before leaving for college.

Lerner added that the squad could use younger volunteers willing to stay long term.

The state pays for EMT training for volunteers who commit to staying three years. Lerner said this is a big benefit since the training costs more than $2,000 without that support.

The rescue squad is also planning a coin toss fundraiser at the intersection of Martinsville Road, Washington Valley Road and Chimney Rock Road on Saturday.

For more information about donating or volunteering with Martinsville Rescue Squad, visit bridgewaterems.org or facebook.com/martinsvillerescuesquad.

For more information on The Bad Cats, visit facebook.com/BadCatsBandNJ or instagram.com/the_bad_cats_nj.

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