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GALLERY: First responders recognized during contractor’s milestone event

‘Our first responders often do not get the recognition that they deserve’: S.&T. Group celebrated 40 years in business outside their Sackville Road facility on Wednesday by donating $7,500 to four local causes
Alex Flood
Alex Flood

Employees and their families at S.&T. Group enjoyed lots of tasty dishes and drinks during a special gathering on Wednesday as the trades contractor celebrated 40 years of business in Sault Ste. Marie.

Co-founders Andrew Sarlo and Dennis Tatasciore formed the company in August 1984 and they each contributed $1,500 to start the business.

Despite working upwards of ten hours a day, sometimes seven days a week, Sarlo and Tatasciore didn’t collect a single paycheck in their first year.

Four decades of milestones and expansions later, S.&T. was proud to give back to the community during today’s big occasion by recognizing five local first responders’ groups with donations to organizations of their choosing. 

“Our first responders are the backbone of our community, the first to arrive to an emergency, and often put themselves in the line to help people they don’t even know,” said Brandon Gassi, General Manager of Business Development at S.&T.

“Our community has struggled in the last few years, and our first responders often do not get the recognition that they deserve for their personal sacrifices, bravery, and heroism,” he added.

Each of the first responders symbolically received $1,500 from S.&T. that went towards four different local foundations.

The recipients included:

  • Sgt. Laurie Graham, Sault Ste. Marie OPP — Donation to the OPP Youth Foundation.
  • First-class firefighters Jeremy Van Hoek and Danielle Buckner, Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department — Donation to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
  • Information Support Officer Sebastian Marcinkowski and Operations Manager Kelly Baker, Sault Ste. Marie Central Ambulance Communications Service — Donation to ARCH Hospice.
  • Dan Langevin, Deputy Chief of Sault Ste. Marie Paramedic Services and Sandy Norris, paramedic and peer support team member — Donation to Wounded Warriors Canada.
  • Sault Ste. Marie Police Chief Hugh Stevenson — Donation to Wounded Warriors Canada.

Prior to and following the formal portion of the evening, more than 200 attendees enjoyed a wide assortment of food and drinks, including charcuterie, fresh fruits, and ice cream.