MARLBORO — Eighth-graders at the Marlboro Middle School will have the opportunity to consider — and write about — the spirit of volunteerism in a spring 2002 essay contest that will not only help them to think about the rewards of community service, but also keep alive the name of a recently lost hero.

Bruce Berent, a co-owner of Lola’s, a children’s and teen clothing store on Route 9, Manalapan, has offered to allocate contributions for the next 10 years to the middle school for the Alan Feinberg Student Award Tribute Fund, to provide a $100 U.S. savings bond for the winner of the contest,. The second- and third-place winners will receive $50 savings bonds.

Feinberg, 48, died Sept. 11 as a first-responder firefighter at the scene of the World Trade Center attack. Feinberg was a full-time fireman with Battalion No. 9 of the Fire Department of New York in midtown Manhattan. He is survived by his wife, Wendy; daughter, Tara, 18; and son, Michael, 15.

More than 1,200 people attended a memorial service for Feinberg on Sept. 25 at the Marlboro Jewish Center. Feinberg was known in the community for his love of sports, having coached Little League baseball and participated in the Marlboro Softball League.

Berent said he knew Feinberg since they were teen-agers, both having attended the Seth Low Junior High School and Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. Both men eventually moved to Marlboro’s Colts Brook housing development.

The essay contest will begin in March 2002, and the winners will be presented with their awards at an assembly in June, just prior to graduation, according to Marlboro Middle School Principal Dr. Stephan Charton.

"Mr. Feinberg’s friends wanted to do something in honor of him," said Charton. "It’s a great way to keep Mr. Feinberg’s name a living thing for years to come. It’s wonderful when people give kids an opportunity to respond to serious issues."

Berent recalled Feinberg as "a very loving father, somebody who was willing to help anyone, and very generous with his time and advice."

Feinberg was one of 12 Marlboro residents and, according to Wendy Feinberg, one of 15 members from his fire company, who died in the tragedy.

Mrs. Feinberg, who lovingly remembered her spouse as someone who enjoyed the beach, cars and being a fireman, said she spoke with her husband for the last time on Sept. 10, the night before the disaster. She said she never considered the possibility that he might not come home.

"I never worried about him," she said, indicating the tremendous amount of faith she carried. "He always came home; it was just a matter of when. I don’t think there are many people who, literally, would walk into that (World Trade Center) situation. Most people would walk away."

Mrs. Feinberg said she and her children want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who have offered prayers, support, love, generosity and kindness in the days and weeks following Sept. 11.

Berent said he and his wife, Lola, have chosen to sponsor the middle school essay contest because "Alan’s name should be remembered, because he was a hero who died saving lives."

Berent pointed out that Feinberg’s heroism went beyond the tragedy of Sept. 11; he had, Berent said, assisted many other people during his service as a fireman.

"Unfortunately, this time he couldn’t get out of it," Berent said.

The essay contest will also be a rewarding way to inspire young people by getting them to think of the benefits that result from volunteer efforts, he said.

"What better way for children to know who Alan Feinberg is? What better way for our children to learn about public service to the community than to write about it?" Berent asked.

In another community-minded effort, Lola’s is donating $5 from each sale of a specific type of patriotic sweat pants (costing $29) to any of the families in Monmouth County who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 tragedy and who contact the store. The collected funds will be distributed after Dec. 31 to any of the affected area families who contact Berent at (732) 972-5222.

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