The Wantagh-Levittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps held its 46th Annual Installation Dinner at the Westbury Manor last Friday. The Ambulance Corps used the event as an opportunity to honor the organization's leaders and members with a variety of awards.

The ceremonies began with the installation of the new officers. David Sontup was installed as chairman, Tara Ryan and Ronald Froller were installed as trustees, Donald Grimaldi was installed as chief, Jeremy Eill as first assistant chief, Fran SanFilippo as president, Lucy Appleby as vice president, William Green as financial secretary treasurer, Michael Kuber as assistant financial secretary treasurer, Amanda Jollon as recording secretary, Marge Green as corresponding secretary, and Sharon Natoli as service secretary. In addition to these officers, the following members were installed as members of the chief's office: Stephen O'Rourke as second assistant chief; Tom Waring, Matt Holland, and Allan Strickland as captains; Chuck Lafranchi, Chris Natoli, Gayle Schuessler, Gina Santangelo, Jen Reill, and Nick Kelly as lieutenants; Sharon Natoli as dispatcher; and Kim Lopez and Marcia Maffucci in administration. Chief Grimaldi also recognized those members of the ambulance corps who served the chief's office for the previous year and thanked them for their dedication.

Following the installation of officers, the ambulance corps recognized other organizations that have supported their volunteer service over the past year. Those organizations recognized were the Levittown Community Council, the Levittown Kiwanis Club, and the Levittown Chamber of Commerce.

Special awards were then presented to the members of the Wantagh-Levittown Ambulance Corps. Nick Kelly was named Probie of the Year and Jennifer Reill was named Member of the Year. Other members were then recognized for length of service to the corps. Donald Grimaldi, Marcia Maffucci, Chris Natoli, Steven Rotavera, Chris Reardon, Stephen O'Rourke, Ricki Schnieder, Kathy Jerabeck, Matt Holland, Susan Mateer, and Gayle Schuessler were recognized for five years of service. Andy Kaufman earned recognition for 10 years; David Sontup was noted for his 20 years with the corps; and Bruno Wolff was recognized for serving with the ambulance corps for 30 years.

The number of hours dedicated to volunteer service was also recognized by the corps. Those recognized for over 1,000 hours over the past year were: Chris Natoli, Charles Lafranchi, Sharon Natoli, Allan Strickland, Daryl Green, Thomas Waring, Scott Nagleberg. Recognized as having put in the most hours of service for last year, with 1,763.5 hours was Second Assistant Chief Stephen O'Rourke.

The installation dinner was a true success, showing due appreciation to the volunteers who have dedicated themselves to helping the residents of the Wantagh and Levittown communities.