2022 FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund Donation
Dinges Fire Company and Vanguard Safety Wear – A History of Giving
(Pictured above, left to right: Nick Dinges – CEO of Dinges Fire Company, Andy Shapiro – President of Vanguard Safety Wear, Emma Dinges, Kerri Kiefer-Viverito and Anthony Viverito – Founders of FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund)
The Dinges Fire Family is keenly aware of the sacrifices those in the fire service make for their jobs and their communities – the vast majority of our team is involved in fire service in some way. With that in mind, we strive to bring something positive to the industry whenever possible – whether it be in the form of training, community events, or donations to causes close to our heart.
Vanguard Safety Wear, in partnership with Dinges Fire Company, has chosen to use a portion of the sales from the MK-1 Structural Firefighting Glove (quietly named in remembrance of Michael Kiefer – ‘MK’ – and his sacrifice) to raise money to donate to the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund. Last August, we were able to work together make a cooperative donation of $1000, and after finding that Michael’s story and the goals of the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund resonated so clearly with our team and our customers, we knew we needed to continue supporting this wonderful cause. So this year, on May 16, 2022, we were pleased to meet up with representatives from the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund to donate an additional $10,000. We hope that this gets Michael’s family one step closer to their goal of providing an additional Fire Family Transport Unit van to assist firefighters and their families, in remembrance of Michael and the sacrifice so many firefighters have made in the line of duty, to protect and serve their communities. Read more about the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund and their mission below.
Dinges Fire Company is proud to support charities, both in our local community and our fire community, whenever we have the opportunity to do so.
#dingesfirefamily #communitymatters #givingback
The Michael Kiefer Story
On September 11th, 2001, the World Trade Center in New York City was the target of a terrorist attack, the magnitude of which was staggering, both in the short and long-term – to our country, to New York, and to the first responders on the ground – many of whom lost their lives that day, and many more who have battled illnesses related to their exposure to that event in the years since. Michael Kiefer’s family lost their only son and brother, 25-year-old FDNY Firefighter, Michael Kiefer, who was assigned to Ladder 132 in Brooklyn New York.
To help celebrate Michael’s life and keep his memory alive, they created the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund. Their goal is to continue to help others the way Michael would have if he were still here. All donations to the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund benefit the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation and the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, among others. Organizations are 501(c)(3), making donations fully tax-deductible.
As part of a 20-Year Anniversary initiative, Michael’s family began raising funds for another Fire Family Transport Unit van to be purchased in Michael’s name. It will replace the one they donated many years ago that is no longer in service. The van will be used to bring sick firefighters and their families to doctors’ appointments, funerals, and other activities. Knowing that the van helps others during these extremely difficult times serves as a reminder that, even now, Michael is still helping others through his memory and his legacy.
Michael’s family invites you to support this great cause and show that we’ll NEVER forget! You are also welcome to visit www.nyffburncenter.com & www.firefamilytransport.org to learn more about Michael and these great organizations. To make a direct donation to the fund, please visit paypal.me/FDNYFFMichaelKiefer.