Today, Ben announced the fourth and fifth grant of the 2014-15 season from The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.
The Foundation will be distributing grants to the Cleveland Metroparks Ranger Department and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department within proximity of where the Steelers will play the Browns on Sunday, October 12th.
“This grant will significantly contribute to our efforts to provide good law enforcement services to our residents, partners and stakeholders throughout Cuyahoga County.” — Jeffery K. Patterson, CMHA CEO and Safety Director.
The Cleveland Metroparks Rangers plan to use their grant toward safety equipment for their K-9 unit, while the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will apply the grant funds to the purchase and training of a new dog.
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Chief of Police Andrés González said, “We are thrilled to receive this grant. It will enhance our operations and improve our delivery of services.”
This marks the eighth season that the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. The mission of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA. Roethlisberger and the Foundation also strive to support Make-A-Wish.
The Foundation distributed $157,600 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2013 NFL season and has distributed in excess of $1.2 million since 2007.
In commenting on why the mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, “We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”
This season, fans of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation can support future K-9 grants by purchasing candy on Sarris Candies’ website, (www.SarrisCandiesFundraising.com), using a special purchase code (77-7777). Sarris will donate 25 percent of the purchase price to The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.
Check out Ben’s foundation page for more info, and feel free to contact Stephanie Sandler at The Giving Back Fund with any questions about donating or submitting grants for your department!
Photo: That’s Officer Smiddy and his furry partner, Chewbacca & Officer Holdeman with his equally furry partner, Loki, from an earlier grant in 2011. The puppies were donated by a breeder, and funds from the grant provided by Ben’s Foundation that season paid for their training and supplies.
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