Scholarship honors memory of volunteer firefighter

Carl M. Freeman Foundation and the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company are partnering to fund a $25,000 scholarship for Sussex County women who want to pursue a career or volunteer  as a first responder. The scholarship was named in memory of Laura Madara, the Selbyville VFC member who died while responding to a vehicle accident April 9. The annual scholarship will be administered by Delaware Technical Community College. The Carl M. Freeman Foundation is funding $15,000 and the Selbyville VFC has committed a $10,000 match.

Female students in the emergency medical technician basic certification course or who are taking courses in criminal justice, emergency medical technician, homeland security and emergency management or law enforcement option programs at Delaware Tech will be eligible for the scholarship.

As a member of the SVFC, Madara served as a fire police officer and president of the ladies auxiliary. She worked with Delaware State Parks for almost 30 years as an enforcement officer at Brandywine Creek State Park and an assistant park superintendent at several state parks. 

She was involved with the 4-H Club, was a site supervisor for Worcester Commission on Aging and helped at the Ocean City (Md.) Senior Center. She worked with Safe Kids, was a CPR instructor, and a was a member of the Sussex County and Delaware State Fire Police Associations.