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Most viewed - The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation |
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"Shadow" - Findlay Ohio Police Department1445 viewsNovember 19, 2012:
The Findlay Police Department's latest tool for sniffing out drugs, Shadow, doubles as another way for officers to connect with city residents.
Paid for entirely by a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, Shadow recently joined the department as its drug-detecting canine. Shadow and his handler, Officer Chad McMonigal, inspect vehicles for illegal drugs, and meet citizens in an effort to prevent crime.
Shadow, a 15-month-old male service dog from the country of Holland, replaces Spike, who retired from the department on Sept. 1. McMonigal and Shadow trained together in Fremont for six weeks in September and October.
He's a friendly animal who enjoys attention, McMonigal said.
"Every dog there had different drives, characteristic traits," McMonigal said.
McMonigal described Shadow as the "perfect tool" for both drug work and bridging the divide with those who feel reluctant to meet police.
"They see he's so welcoming and it changes their attitude right away," he said.
More: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2012/Nov/09/ar_news_110912_story2.asp?d=110912_story2,2012,Nov,09&c=n
*Thank you to Officer McMonigal!
Photo: Jena Stearns
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A Make-A-Wish Day to remember1423 views“The day Brandon got to meet the Steelers, Ben yelled out ‘Make-A-Wish’ and was the first one to run right up to Brandon on the field as soon as the horn sounded that practice was overâ€, said Mr. Brawdy. “Then it was on…the whole team surrounded him like he was a rock star to sign his football! They stayed out there until he got to meet all of the players that were there.â€
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December 4, 2014 - Grant to Miami University Police Department1391 viewsIn the photo: Officer Patrick Murray of the Cincinnati Police Department and his K-9 partner, Duke.
"Mutual cooperation and trust are paramount for a successful conclusion. If you ask another department for help, and you don’t know the officer or K-9 team, you can’t easily trust their tactics and reliability. Regional cooperation is crucial for law enforcement." -- Police Specialist Patrick Murray, Cincinnati Police Department.
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A Make-A-Wish Day to remember1369 viewsOne of the best moments of the day for Brandon was meeting his favorite player, Brett Keisel. He also posed for photos with Ben, Brett, Antonio Brown, Coach Tomlin, and smiled in several group shots with the Steelers defense!
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June 9, 2014: Washington’s new police dog begins patrols 1361 viewsI’d like to introduce the City of Washington Police Department newest employee Patrolman Golem and his handler Officer Karlowsky – Mayor Brenda Davis via Twitter @Mayor_Davis
Thanks Washington & @_BigBen7 for contributions to reestablishing City of Washington K9 Police Unit – Mayor Brenda Davis via Twitter @Mayor_Davis
I’d like to introduce the City of Washington Police Department newest employee Patrolman Golem and his handler Officer Karlowsky – Mayor Brenda Davis via Twitter @Mayor_Davis
Thanks Washington & @_BigBen7 for contributions to reestablishing City of Washington K9 Police Unit – Mayor Brenda Davis via Twitter @Mayor_Davis
“The city has its first police dog since the department disbanded its K9 unit in 1997″
From Mike Jones, Washington Observer-Reporter:
Ever since he was young, Matthew Karlowsky wanted to be a police officer, his father said. Then, when he was hired as a Washington patrolman eight years ago, he set his sights on one day becoming a police dog’s handler.
His vision came to fruition Thursday night when the veteran officer and the city’s new police dog, Golem, were formally introduced during a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall.
Golem, a 10-month-old German shepherd, could barely control his excitement for the ceremony, barking at times and searching for his ball in the cargo pocket of Karlowsky’s pants.
The dog was born in the Czech Republic and trained with Karlowsky for six weeks at Shallow Creek Kennels in Mercer County. Karlowsky gives Golem commands in Czech as they continue to train to hone the dog’s drug-detection and patrol skills.
Karlowsky served in the U.S. Army during the Iraq war and it was during that 14-month deployment that he wanted to work with dogs after watching military K9 handlers, his father, Rick, said.
“This boy has always wanted to be a police officer, and ever since then, he wanted to be a K9 handler,†Rick Karlowsky said.
The community raised about $47,000 the past nine months to restart the department’s K9 unit, including a $10,000 grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. Mayor Brenda Davis said the community support and local business donations were instrumental in bringing back the unit, and city officials hope to expand it to two dogs by the end of the year.
“If it weren’t for the donations from the community, we wouldn’t be able to have this special swearing-in ceremony,†Davis said. “He’s ready to be a police officer.â€
More from the article:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20140606/NEWS01/140609681#.U5YyWfldVGg
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A Make-A-Wish Day to remember1355 viewsMore from Brandon's father:
The story behind the picture I sent of Ben reaching out to shake my wife’s hand with the huge grin on Bran’s face is one I will always remember.
After Ben yelled out make ‘Make-A-Wish’, he ran towards Bran and about five feet before he got to him, he turned towards my wife and acted like the wish was for her. Everyone that was with us cracked up laughing – it immediately put everyone at ease!
Ben also knew that Brett Keisel was one of Bran’s favorite players, so Ben was introducing himself to our family as Brett!
We just couldn’t believe how much time Ben and the Steelers spent making sure Bran had a great time.
In recent weeks Brandon’s cancer has returned with a vengeance and there is no way of stopping it now.
Brandon has battled this like a warrior for a year and a half, and his battle is coming to its final stage.
Last night (April 10, 2013) we jumped up with over 600 likes on Brandon's Facebook page thanks to the work of Ben, Erin, and Steeler Nation! I asked for a little help, and they got me a huge response! This is why I have been a Steeler fan for over 40 years!
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October 5, 2012 - Make-A-Wish: Alex Wagner1344 viewsOn October 5, 2012, Alex Wagner couldn’t stop smiling, and his parents even laughed at the fact that he was actually giddy, something out of character for the normally serious 14-year old.
But Wagner had good reason for being that way. What kid wouldn’t be smiling if they were a guest at Steelers’ practice and getting ready to meet the team?
Wagner, who has hypothalmic disorder, was at practice courtesy of the team and Make-A-Wish Foundation and will attend Sunday’s game against the Eagles at Heinz Field.
“There is nothing as cool as getting this close to them,†said Wagner. “It’s hard to explain. It’s hard to believe. I never expected this at all, not even a little bit. I never thought I would be able to do anything like this, but apparently it can happen.â€
– From an article by Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
http://blog.steelers.com/2012/10/05/nothing-but-smiles-for-this-young-fan/
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"Thank you Ben!"1338 viewsMy name is Jay Rusch and I am the General Manager at Woodside Plantation Country Club in Aiken, SC.
Earlier this evening, I was reading an article about Ben Roethlisberger and it pertained to Aiken, SC.
I was a little surprised and excited especially after I finished the article. I am a HUGE Steeler fan (born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA) and I currently live in Aiken, SC, I thought to myself, this is awesome!
A close friend of mine, Clark Smith is a K-9 Narcotics Officer for Aiken Department of Public Safety and his K-9 partner, Fox (Belgium Malinois – photo attached) are an amazing team and asset to our community.
I just wanted to say THANK YOU to Ben Roethlisberger for the grant to ADPS. – Best regards, Jay Rusch, PGA.
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October 26, 2012 - Make-A-Wish receives check for $25,0001328 viewsThe Ben Roethlisberger Foundation donated $25,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation! That money will allow Make-A-Wish to grant wishes to six children!
Ben presented the check to Judith Stone (pictured with Ben and his father, Ken), President and CEO of Make-A-Wish during an impromptu press conference this afternoon after practice.
The money was raised during The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament in July.
For the past several years, Ben has devoted his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation because of his passion to help children.
“It’s no secret how much the kids mean to me. When someone has a wish and they want to spend it with the Steelers that touches you and is special. For us to be able to do this and be able to have six kid’s wishes come true is awesome. Being there to meet them, shake their hand, sign an autograph means a lot to me.†– Ben.
Photo: Steelers
Video of the press conference:
http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Ben-Roethlisberger-Donates-To-Make-A-Wish/d5c8ea5f-7ad2-4aa7-8b2a-0807d231ad30
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October 5, 2012 - Make-A-Wish: Alex Wagner1327 viewsWhen practice ended, things got even better as the players all made their way over to Wagner, talking to him, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Ben Roethlisberger took him into the locker room, and then off to his production meeting with Fox Sports where he met Troy Aikman, who is in town for the game.
“Alex loves football,†said his mom Terry Wagner. “He can’t play because of his medical condition, but he loves it more than anything in the world. This is his dream come true. It makes us so happy to see him like this.
“Since we knew this was happening, he has never been happier. He is a serious kid and this has brought the joy out of him.â€
- From an article by Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
http://blog.steelers.com/2012/10/05/nothing-but-smiles-for-this-young-fan/
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November 5, 2013: An 8-year old Make-A-Wish hero1308 viewsA South Allegheny Elementary third-grader was recognized by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his charitable efforts.
Tony Cook, 8, of Liberty served as the foundation’s special ambassador for a presentation on Friday and watched the Black-and-Gold practice.
Tony has been instrumental in raising about $44,000 for Make-A-Wish, which includes a $30,000 contribution from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.
He shared his experience with classmates on Monday morning.
“It was really cool,†Tony said of his visit with the Steelers. “They made it sound like they were at a real game.â€
He showed the class an autographed football, picture and jersey worn by Roethlisberger during the game against the Oakland Raiders. He also received a Terrible Towel signed by other players, watched practice at the Steelers’ South Side facility and checked out Roethlisberger’s locker.
“It’s like a really big locker room,†Tony said. “I found he had the left top corner (locker).â€
Roethlisberger on Friday presented a $30,000 check from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation to Make-A-Wish president and CEO Judith Stone.
Tony handed over his savings to Make-A-Wish last year, making a Christmas donation of $185.35. He raised $264.50 this February through a bake sale during parent-teacher conferences at the elementary school, and continues to raise funds through other bake sales and a golf outing organized by his uncle, David Hoffmann, and DB Root & Co.
“He’s a very nice guy,†Tony said of Roethlisberger.
Students were impressed with Tony’s memorabilia and stories.
“I think you should let him have a homework pass,†classmate Brielle Boyle said to teacher Julie Doughty.
You can read more here:
http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/4999013-87/tony-wish-roethlisberger#axzz2jtCbDhSG
Photo: Cindy Shegan Keeley
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June, 2014 - "Thank you Ben"1291 viewsDarin Hogan, a K9 officer in Roanoke County, VA asked us to share his email to Ben:
K9 Cash is a 2-year old Belgian Malinois. He is trained in drug detection and patrol work. Patrol entails suspect apprehension, tracking, and agression control. We work for the Roanoke County Police Department in Virginia.
Cash and I have been on the road for almost a year now and we love it. Cash has quite the knack for finding drugs.
Cash and I are both huge Steelers fans. I make it to at least one game a year (Cash stays home and watches on TV). Things aren’t looking good for me making a game this year but hopefully I can.
Just wanted to say, that although I’ve always been a Steelers fan – I’m even more proud to be one and a fan of Ben’s because of his foundation and his love and support for Police K9′s across the country!
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