In life, there are always lessons to be learned. And that remains especially true in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Stories abound about how people came together in this time of crisis, where humanity overshadowed hostility and perseverance vanquished politics.

But there are a few folks who rightfully deserve a special moment in the spotlight- the brave first responders who put their own safety and comfort on the line to rescue those in need, both during and after the hurricane.

You know who I’m referring to.

The emergency medical crews at hospitals who tirelessly evacuated patients during strong hurricane winds and blustery rain. The firefighters who ventured out in the midst of turbulent waves to rescue flood victims in coastal areas trapped by rising waters. And the police officers who worked overtime to keep our neighborhoods safe despite the chaos occurring all around.

There’s a Ptex Group client, Motty P., who volunteers for a Brooklyn-based rescue squad. He just took part in a number of lifesaving missions during Hurricane Sandy. Although I’ve always respected Motty’s dedication to the community, his recent heroic actions have impressed me even further.

During the storm, Motty helped evacuate dangerous areas while rain and debris were swirling around him. In the aftermath of the storm, he personally assisted in cutting up and clearing away over 130 downed trees that were blocking streets in hard-hit areas, allowing rescue and relief vehicles to finally gain entry. He is currently spending his evenings patrolling neighborhoods without power and assisting the NYPD in preventing looters from burglarizing empty homes.

After stumbling across a few unfortunate families living in the cold without any electrical power or heat, Motty felt so bad that he used his own personal credit card to buy them three portable generators. These machines are now being used to provide stricken residents in Zone A with basic electricity and heat. All because one person had a heart and cared about his fellow human beings.

Upon reflection, it strikes me just how much we’ve been taking people like Motty for granted. Day in and day out they give of themselves and their resources to assist us – and yet, it requires a serious catastrophe like Hurricane Sandy to open our eyes and appreciate these true heroes for what they are.

But that’s not all.

With further introspection, I’ve realized that we often take each other – and the seemingly small roles we play in other people’s lives – for granted as well. Our neighbors. Our friends. And last but not least, our families. Over the past week, the infinite value of these priceless assets became all the more obvious.

We saw neighbors helping neighbors clean out damaged homes. We witnessed friends inviting friends from flooded areas to stay with them until things get back to normal. And after hearing horrific tales of families who lost their loved ones during Hurricane Sandy, we are now able to appreciate our loved ones more than ever.

As the world watched, we came together and forged an alliance to help our fellow Americans in distress, while upholding the virtues and dedication to humanity that our Nation was founded upon. It’s something we should all be proud of…and it’s something that should inspire us in our quest to make the world a better, safer and happier place.

Onwards and upwards,

Meny Hoffman

P.S. Many people living in our region have lost everything in this devastating storm. While they remain in our thoughts and prayers, there’s even more that’s required. I just made a donation to a local relief organization to help those in need – and I encourage you to do so as well.