A bench made by Carbon Career and Technical Institute’s carpentry students will be raffled off to support a “Be A Hero” program trying to get off the ground in Carbon County.

Funds from the raffle will go toward purchasing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, which will be distributed to families in the area who need them.Gary Smiley, an Albrightsville firefighter who successfully applied for a $5,000 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, started the program.Smiley’s money will be added to the bench sale proceeds.“We’re going to get the program started here at CCTI,” Smiley said. “Hopefully other schools and fire departments will see this and want to hop on board. We are buying about 250 smoke alarms and 100 carbon monoxide alarms. It’s such an easy way to save a life.”CCTI students are also selling the raffle tickets.Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.According to Dave Reinbold, CCTI administrative director, the benches would be valued around $100 if they were to sell in a normal market.The drawing will take place Nov. 20.Anyone interested in tickets can contact CCTI at 570-325-3682 for more information.“I feel this is a good opportunity to show you’re willing to help others before yourself,” Joe Curran, one of the CCTI students selling raffle tickets, said. I look at that fire recently in Lehighton that killed the infant and if I can do something to help others, I’ll do it.”Albrightsville junior firefighters will help Smiley install the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in homes and explain to residents how they work.Smiley expects to service nearly 350 homes in the area.“Some people may be too embarrassed to say they can’t afford a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector,” said Rocco Twardzik, Albrightsville junior firefighter. “It’s important we take this initiative because even if just one life is saved by distributing these, that is enough.”Smiley pitched the program to other area schools, but CCTI was first to jump on board.“We’re certainly happy to help support such a great cause,” Reinbold said. “I’m proud of our students who stepped up to volunteer their time.”Following the Nov. 20 raffle drawing, Smiley is hoping to begin installing the alarms and detectors in homes within a few weeks.He is still looking for a way to identify residents who could benefit from the Be a Hero program.“If you know of someone who needs a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector, contact us and we’ll make sure they get one,” Smiley said.