Today Ben announces the first grant award of the 2019 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, north of Foxborough where the Steelers will play the Patriots on September 8th.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department will use the grant funds to add a K-9 to their unit as they roll out plans to expand from 10 to 13 K-9 teams.

During the 2019 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. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

This marks the 13th 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 working dogs in Pittsburgh, PA.

“The Sheriff’s Department thanks the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for their generous gift. In addition to providing additional security at our three facilities, K-9 units are extremely valuable when assisting narcotic detection, missing person searches, and responding to mutual aid calls. We appreciate the Roethlisberger Foundation’s commitment to assisting our Department and the communities we serve.” — Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger.


The Foundation distributed more than $145,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2018 NFL season, including $70,000 in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $2.1 million since 2007, $1.7 million of which has specifically benefited K-9 programs domestically.

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 Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

For more information about Ben’s foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Jessica Duffaut at www.givingback.org.