FASNY Scholarship awarded to Lauren Winegard, student and volunteer firefighter

The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has awarded the 2023 FASNY Gerard J. Buckenmeyer Volunteer Scholarship to Lauren Winegard of Coxsackie. Lauren received a certificate and scholarship of $1,500 for her volunteer service in the community from John Farrell, member of the FASNY Board of Directors.

"I have been connected to FASNY for a couple of years now, as my father is a member of FASNY as well as the Athens Volunteer Fire Department," said Winegard. "The Athens Fire department will always be a place I can call home, from all of the years my dad was a member from him starting out as a social member and helping with the pizza nights every Thursday to becoming a active member working his way up to lieutenant, I have always looked up to not only him but my firehouse brothers and sisters as well."

Lauren plans to attend Columbia Greene Community College in the fall where she intends to study nursing. Outside of the firehouse she participates in softball and field hockey.

Lauren is one of 25 students chosen for this scholarship.

"The relationships I have built through the firehouse are some of the bestest friendships I have ever had," said Winegard. "We are always there for one another and have each other's backs when needed and most definitely never give up on each other no matter what. The one relationship I will be forever thankful for is with my father doing something we both love together, without him I would have never had a thought about the fire fighting lifestyle and I couldn't be happier to say that this is all because of him."

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of an applicant's volunteer service to his or her community, such as serving with a local fire department, scouting, church, school, work with senior citizens, fire prevention and other projects. Additional criteria include consistent demonstration of good character and completion of a written essay.

The Gerard J. Buckenmeyer FASNY Volunteer Scholarship program is made possible each June through the generous donations of individuals, fire departments and auxiliaries. This year, Provident Agency Inc., the provider of the accidental death and dismemberment insurance for FASNY members, has again provided major underwriting support to help FASNY award scholarships to young volunteers. FASNY would also like to recognize the support and coordination provided by the Association's administrative team in their Albany headquarters for their help in processing the applications and awards, as well as the hard work of the volunteers of the FASNY Scholarship Committee in supporting the program throughout the year.