Centerport Fire Department Cadets Awarded Grant

MetLife Foundation recently awarded a Volunteer Ventures grant of $1,000 to the Centerport Fire Department Cadets in support of a project proposed by Tom Collins, a MetLife employee who volunteers with the department.  The grant will be used to supply the Cadets with turnout gear for their training programs.

The Volunteer Ventures Program encourages and supports employee involvement at the local level in nonprofit organizations that work to improve the quality of life for all. Grant are made for specific projects in which MetLife employees have continuing involvement as volunteers.

The Centerport Fire Department Cadets were chartered in 1981.  Open to Centerport Fire District residents between the ages of 13-17, the program gives the cadets an introduction to hands-on training in firefighting and rescue services. More then 90% of cadet graduates continue as members of the Centerport Fire Department.

Pictured from left, kneeling front row, are: Cadets Doug Knoph, Henry Mack, Brianna Simpson, Taylor Miltner, and Carolyn Ciafardoni.  Back row: Advisors Rich Miltner and Mike McCarrick, Cadets Chris Peters, Andrew Banger, Brian Ciafarfoni, Cody Cunningham, Mike Gunther, Advisor John Knoph, and MetLife’s Tom Collins.

Photo by Steve Silverman