Today Ben announced the fourth grant award of the 2017 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Bladensburg Police Department, just southwest of Baltimore where the Steelers will play the Ravens on October 1st.

“The Bladensburg Police Department is delighted to learn that we have been chosen as a recipient of a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation as startup funding for implementation of a police K-9 unit. Public safety is a top priority of Mayor Walter Lee James, Jr. and the Town Council of Bladensburg as well as the men and women of the Bladensburg Police Department. Establishment of a K-9 unit will assist us as we continue to reduce crime in Bladensburg and as we enhance our community policing efforts.” — Bladensburg Police Chief Tracy Stone.



092817The Bladensburg Police Department will use the grant funds to establish a new K-9 unit with a dual purpose police dog.

During the 2017 NFL season, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers.

The Foundation will also distribute several grants to the Pittsburgh area and will consider a grant to a non-NFL market city in the United States if the Steelers advance to the playoffs. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

This marks the 11th season that Ben’s foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. His mission 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. Ben also supports Make-A-Wish.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed more than $150,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2016 NFL season, including $76,000 in the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $1.65 million since 2007.

Fans:

You 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 foundation.


Click here for more info on Ben’s foundation or you can contact Jessica Duffaut at The Giving Back Fund.