Deputy Pat Lewis with K9 Bully
Deputy Randy Silva with K9 Xerrox
Deputy Frank Lacaden with K9 Torka
Deputy Greg Mayo with K9 Fanta
Deputy Rollin Canon with K9 Robbie
The Hawaii state Department of Public Safety’s Sheriff K9 Unit will be receiving five bulletproof vests thanks to a nationwide animal related GROUPON event than ran March 13 through March 20, 2013.
Vested Interest in K9’s Inc., was the non-profit organization and charity partner selected by Groupon Grassroots to participate. People could give a $10 donation to Vested Interest in K9’s Inc. through Groupon. All funds were allocated to purchase ballistic vests for our four-legged crime fighters who put their lives on the line for our community and their Deputy partners.
“Our K9’s are sent alone into dark buildings and other dangerous situations, and all they have for protection is a collar,” said Deputy Sheriff Frank Lacadin. “We realized there is a critical need to improve safety for our K9 partners”.
Deputy Sheriff K9 Handler, Frank Lacadin, worked with Vested Interest in K9’s Inc. President Sandy Marciel to get all the legwork done such as measurements, and to submit the requests for five vests in time for the fundraising effort.
The non-profit met their goal of raising $95,000 to provide 100 K9s with ballistic vests in just three days. At the close of the campaign on March 20th,Vested Interest in K9s Inc. had raised $155,375. That money will provide 163 K9s with vests in 30 states. Hawaii Sheriffs will be awarded the five vests they requested.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. currently has a list of over 20 police dogs needing vests. The organization is still accepting donations through their website: www.vik9s.org.
Submitted by Toni Schwartz, Hawaii Department of Public Safety