Wallingford Businesses Donate to Police, Fire Departments

WALLINGFORD, CT — Dino Fernicola, owner of Dino’s Modern Barbershop located at 202 Center Street in Wallingford and barber Mike Katuzney organized a donation drive to contribute to the Wallingford Police Department’s K-9 program and the Wallingford Fire Department’s program on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) awareness.

“This is the second year that Dino and Mike have organized a donation drive, which coincides with Celebrate Wallingford,” Lt. Michael Colavolpe wrote in a press release. “In collaboration with eight local businesses that they sought out, all agreed to match a percentage of the donations received.

“In addition to Dino’s Modern Barbershop, the other businesses are Alyssa’s Cakery, Barros Builders, Shirt Graphix, Wallingford Flower Shop, Salon Pizzucci, Rosa’s Deli, R. Frank Printing, and Incredible Oil.”

Read more from the press release below:

Dino’s Modern Barbershop recently celebrated their two-year anniversary and believes in giving back to those that help to protect and serve the community. During Celebrate Wallingford, the barbershop set up collection boxes inside their shop seeking donations from customers.

Dino requested that the funds raised for the Police Department go toward the K-9 program because of his love for animals. The money raised will be used for maintenance and care to support Tate, the department’s only K-9. Tate is a Labrador that is trained in narcotics detection and tracking. Last year’s funds were used to support the newly created Bicycle Unit.

On Oct. 5, Dino and Mike, along with representatives from each of the businesses made a presentation of the checks at police headquarters. A check in the amount of $768 was presented to Police Chief William Wright.

A check in the amount of $758 was presented to Firefighter Aaron Desjardins.

Desjardins, secretary of the Wallingford Fire Department’s union, IAFF Local 1326 accepted the donation on behalf of the Fire Department’s union. Desjardins said the donation will be used to fund the union’s CPR education and awareness program. Through this program, the union educates the community on the importance of CPR and provides instructions on CPR.

Contributed photos:

Presentation of Checks – Dino Fernicola presenting checks to Police Chief William Wright and Firefighter Aaron Desjardins.

Group Photo – Business owners with members of the Wallingford Police and Fire Departments.