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A Jericho couple has decided to honor the community spirit of Vermont emergency service volunteers by endowing a scholarship fund.

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation will administer the new scholarship on behalf of Michael and Deborah Weinberg. The couple has a long-standing involvement with emergency services, including Essex Rescue, Underhill-Jericho Fire Department, and the Fair Haven Fire Department.

The Weinbergs noted that emergency service volunteers sacrifice countless hours to assist their neighbors. “Many serve over 1,000 hours per year, time that could be spent earning money from a second job to help pay for their kids’ education,” said the couple. The Weinbergs see this as an opportunity to thank the volunteers and their families for their important work.

Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded annually to college students whose parents have volunteered for at least five years with a Vermont rescue squad and/or fire department. A third scholarship is available this year thanks to the generosity of a supportive community member. Financial need and academic achievement will be among the criteria used to select recipients of the Weinberg Scholarship. The application deadline is May 5, 2005.

Students wishing to apply for the scholarship must do so through the VSAC scholarship program. For more information, contact the VSAC Scholarship Program Office at 1-888-253-4819 or 802-654-3798 or via e-mail at info@vsac.org (be sure to reference scholarships in the subject line).