DuPont funds squad coats in memory of teenager

SAYREVILLE — A $2,000 award from the Dupont Parlin Community Fund will allow the Sayreville Emergency Squad to continue purchasing new state-of-the-art coats for its members.

The squad began the changeover to new jackets last year thanks to a donation from Betty and Vic Dubinin, whose 19-year-old daughter Sara died tragically in a car accident in September 2007. The couple donated to the squad to thank its members for their quick response to Sara’s crash.

Stanley Pilch, a life member of the squad whose step-daughter, Julianne Good, was a friend of Sara’s, came up with the idea of buying new jackets. He researched the design, quality and value from many vendors and decided on blue all-weather coats. Embroidered on the pocket of each jacket are the words, “In memory of Sara Dubinin.”

Pilch, an employee of DuPont in Parlin, didn’t want the transition to new gear for the squad to stop with the initial batch of coats. So when he realized that his employer was offering the community fund award, he decided to apply for it. Pilch said that DuPont had always been a strong supporter of the all-volunteer Sayreville Emergency Squad, and he was confident that it would realize the contribution would be beneficial to the residents of Sayreville.

Of the several applications for the award, Pilch’s was chosen. DuPont Plant Manager Dave Steward presented the squad with the $2,000 check last month at the Cheesequake Road plant. Sara’s parents were there to witness the presentation and expressed gratitude to DuPont for sponsoring the jackets in memory of their daughter.