Community Corner

Hazlet Fire Department Supports Triple Amputee Veteran

The fire department gathered to collect funds from drivers to benefit building the veteran an accessible home.

Change jingling in a bucket on the side of Route 35 in Hazlet quickly became the sound of hope for a wounded veteran who lost both legs and an arm fighting for the United States in the Middle East. 

Penny by penny, the Hazlet Township Fire Department collected funds for the Steven Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation to build a handicap accessible home for Spc. Bryan Dilberian.

The renovations to Dilberian's home will make it accessible to a triple-amputee, and would include changes such as lower countertops and safer bathrooms, explained Hazlet Township Fire Chief Andrew Christ.

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Firefighters were stationed on Laurel near Route 36 and on Poole near Route 35 with collection buckets, walking by cars stopped at the red light on Saturday, May 18. 

Halfway in to the four hour fundraiser, the volunteers had collected over $900, in addition to several other cash donations. The Monmouth County Fire Prevention Borough Prevention donated $500, the Bayshore Fire Chiefs Association donated $500 and the VFW donated $1,000. 

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although this wasn't the first time they did roadside collections, it was the first time they collected in honor of the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, Christ explained.

Missed the fire department's collection? Visit the Tunnels for Towers Foundation online.


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